HDTV Direct TV Receivers

nebborjk

I'm looking to add a HDTV receiver to my system. Does anyone have any experience either way with any of these.

The Hughes E86 is $400, Samsung SIRTS160 is $600 and the Sony SATHD300 is $700. Is there any real difference?

Thanks

HBombToo

Originally posted by nebborjk
I'm looking to add a HDTV receiver to my system. Does anyone have any experience either way with any of these.

The Hughes E86 is $400, Samsung SIRTS160 is $600 and the Sony SATHD300 is $700. Is there any real difference?

Thanks

When I pulled the trigger on Direct TV HDTV receiver I started out with the E86 and hated it as soon as I opened it up. The I plugged it in and the thing got so hot that I was very worried about its longevity. I also was no impressed with the OTA reception so I swapped it out with the Zenith HDSAT 520 which is the same receiver chip as the Sony and have never looked back. The Zenith runs real cool and also can upsample 480i/480p or 720p to 1080i. ABC Monday night football OTA at 720p or 1080i look the same to me from a resolution standpoint so the upsample is not that big of a deal but I like knowing I can do it;) I have no experience with the Samsung but a friend has one and like it and he is very critical. I don't think you can really go wrong with any brand outside of the E86.

Have fun

HBomb

nebborjk

Thanks for the advice. I went with the Sony SAT-HD200 and installed everything myself. HDTV looks awesome. Only problem so far is the remote control has died. Does anyone know if Sony will replace just a remote control?

~nebborjk

fireshoes

Does the remote control do anything? It would be weird to break so soon after you got it. Maybe you have to select a DSS mode on it if it's a universal? If you have a digital camcorder, point the remote at the lens and press a button. If it is emitting a signal, you will be able to see the IR emitter on the remote flashing when you look at it on the camcorder display. That way you know whether it is truly not functioning or just set wrong.

nebborjk

The remote appears dead. I've double checked the device mode and that doesn't appear to be the problem. The remote will not respond to any command. The red LED indicator does not light up when a button is pressed. I did replace the batteries and that did not help. The remote did work for about the first 5 minutes out of the box, now there's nothing.

dorokusai

Here is the Sony repair/ replacement website:

http://servicesales.sel.sony.com/web/index.jsp

Either use the troubleshooting index or the purchase replacement parts index. I would presume that since you just bought it, you are 100% covered.

Just contact customer service. Use the "Contact Us" link.