HD receiver

Schris22

My dad needs an HDTV receiver for Direct TV i believe. Is there anything specific to be looking for? No tivo needed. Just wondering if the receiver has a lot to do with picture quality...

like here is a 50 dollar one from best buy http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6559887&type=product&cmp=++&id=1077630305377

this one is 4x as much

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=6570123&type=product&productCategoryId=cat03026&id=1077630629398

any difference in picture quality? or is it all in features?

Chris

bknauss

Well, the big difference is the first one is only standard def and the second does hi def Other than that, you're basically going to be stuck with either Samsung or the Hughes/DirecTV (the one you listed) model. Head on over to the HD equipment area of avsforum.com... those guys are a little nuts about this stuff.

Another option is to look at ebay for old models of HD receivers. I've seen some of the first models go for about $50 and they claimed to be in great condition. Definitely check which connections are provided on those though... some are limited to component outs for HD, and I don't know if you're looking for DVI or HDMI or whatever.

thehaens@cox.net

There are differences in the tuners in HD Receivers. I have an older Mitsubishi HD Receiver, (A Hughes E86 Clone), and a new RCA, (got it free from DirecTV). I was hesitant at first to put the New RCA in my main living area as I didn't have any problem with my Mits. I hooked up the RCA in my garage and after tuning I was pulling in 7 more digital stations over the air. I went back in my house, and went through and re-tuned the Mitsubishi and it still didn't pull the 7 stations. Of course all these weren't equal in this comparo, different cable and length altogether. So I did a quick swap and once again the RCA ouperformed the Mits/Hughes. It seems to me that I had to have at least a 70 or higher signal strength on the Mits to get a picture that wouldn't drop out, on the RCA I can get away with 60 with no drop outs. Neither had any problem with the Satellite signal so if that is all your going to use it for then save some money and get the older box. But if you are going to use a terrestrial antenna, then go with a newer one.

Scott

By the way I was referring to Digital Stations Over the Air, and not the DirecTV subscribed stations when I was referring to pulling in more stations. I find that over 80% of all my viewing is on Digital Stations OTA, not even sure anymore why I pay all this money to have a billion stations I never watch..

billbillw

Chris,
If your dad wants Hi Definition, he needs the H10. The D10 doesn't do HD. The H10 includes the capability of getting HD channels from DirecTV and from over the air (OTA) feeds from your local broadcasters. To get the local broadcast, he will need an antenna on the roof, as well as the triple LNB satellite dish. If he is a new subscriber, they will install the dish and run the cable for free. The antenna for locals is extra.

Schris22

ah see.....glad i asked the question now...

thanks

Chris