Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Over-the-air HDTV tuner?

If you do not subscibe to their highest package, they charge a "DVR" fee of $5/mo.

One thing about TiVo....you can't really understand it(well you probably can sushi) or appreaciate it, until you use it.

In reply to:

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I don't exactly know when the HD DirecTV PVR is coming out. I had thought it was suppose to be available by the end of the year.

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You might find the third post here helpful:
http://arstechnica.infopop.net/OpenTopic/page?a=tpc&s=50009562&f=67909965&m=5760982585

SOLD! I just cancelled my regular cable (Comcast) and ordered DirecTV with TiVo. Comcast is raising their rates and it's just not that good a deal anymore. I think we'll really like the new service. It gets installed Saturday in 2 weeks.

My wife has been bugging me about routing cable into the bedroom, so I ordered the 2 receiver package. Only one of them has TiVo, though. I bet she'll want that one in the bedroom. We shall see. We shall see...

You guys are lucky. No TIVO in Canada. Got the CRTC to blame for that.

Canadians' lives are so great that they shouldn't need the escapism provided by TV. Every time I learn something new about president Bush, I need to check out from reality for an additional year.

Another vote for DirecTivo. I have the Sony SAT-T60 upgraded to 110 hours. I still have all of Sopranos 5th season on it. Love my 45TX, but it's a toss up which is the true "god box"...

I too will wait for the HD DirecTivo, but that means another cable run

LOOK OVER YOUR SHOULDER!!!!!
maybe someone is watching.......

yeah...don't forget. You will need two cable runs from the dish to the DirecTiVo box...one for each tuner.

You guys without TiVo do not know what you are missing. Find someone that has it, and get a demo.

Oldskool...you are not using the dual tuners now?

Sushi - to answer your original question, I have the Samsung unit you posted a link for - had it for almost a year. I got it because of price point (it is one of the most attractively priced STBs for just ATSC reception) as I just wanted to stick my toe in the OTA HD water and didn't want to go overboard until I'd had a taste.

The amount of HD content OTA has risen dramatically over the last year, and even if it is not HD, the SD digital picture is far superior to the analog equivalent. As far as the Samsung unit goes, mine has worked without a hitch. It has the reputation of being in the top 2 of tuner sensitivity to lock on to distant stations. As an example, I live in the western foothills of the Sierras about 40 - 50 miles east of Sacramento. I get all of the Sacramento market channels without a hitch, and also get the Bay Area (San Francisco) digitals at night and even sometimes during the day (over 100 miles to the towers). Granted, I have a little antenna height based upon my elevation, but certainly not a clear view to that antenna farm.

At this price point, you get just ATSC and component out (no DVI). It has both coaxial and fiber audio outs, as well as the standard analog. Also has S-Video and composite (but who cares...).

I also have HD from my C Band system via 4DTV and it's associated HD decoder for HBO, Showtime, Discovery, etc. and the PQ is the same for the Samsung. Monday night football is stunning in HD with DD 5.1 sound.

I'd endorse the Samsung just from being a happy user. If you have any specific questions, let me know.

Doug

pmbuko,

Clark has made it official. He's going to run. This may be the first person from either party I'm excited to vote for, assuming he can pull off the nomination. Of course, that fact undoubtedly means he won't win the nomination, but I'd still have to consider anyone with him as a running mate.