What's the best Directv HD receiver?

[50]

Hello, I got in on that 400 dollar Directv HD deal but they kept sending me crappy receivers and so I told them I was going to cancel. Now I need to find a new HD receiver. I've used the SIR-TS160 Samsung and the Hughes HTL-HD. I hated the Hughes receiver mainly because it doesn't fit with the aspect ratio of my screen (I've tried every single setting and the guide always gets cut off on the sides), the guide is a lot slower. I liked the samsung because it had a really nice guide feature, where you could search by actor/director/awards etc., the thing that bothered me was whenever I hit "4" on the remote of the Samsung, it shut off my audio receiver. Also the Samsung remote stunk. I heard there is a newer version called the SIR-TS360, can anyone tell me how this thing is? Does it still have the good search feature? How's the remote?

If I weren't to get the SIR-TS360, what would you reccomend? The one thing I miss from my old analog receivers is the mini guide thing you could use to surf on the bottom portion of the screen, do any HD directv receivers have these?

I was thinking about maybe a directivo HD but the 1000 dollar price tag sounds too much, plus I don't really like hughes receivers. Are there any newer models coming out within the next month or so, that are cheaper than the hughes?

 

[Mill]

Picky people just blow me away. It functions, it works great, but the number 4 key freaks you out. Whatever.

 

[50]

Originally posted by: Mill
Picky people just blow me away. It functions, it works great, but the number 4 key freaks you out. Whatever.

Maybe I should explain some more. First, the remote was horrible as most people know from the TS160 for range. Second, it gives off a lot of heat and it froze several times and made me lose all my settings. Third, the 119 signal was not read by the receiver (it came up as 0 the whole time even after I tried a different receiver and that came in as 80). Now wouldn't you return that receiver??

 

[Mill]

If it was freezing up I would. Otherwise, no.

 

[NuclearNed]

Sony makes a really nice receiver, although I'm not sure of the model. It got really good reviews on all the sites I read. The only problem is that it is pricey.

 

[50]

Originally posted by: NuclearNed
Sony makes a really nice receiver, although I'm not sure of the model. It got really good reviews on all the sites I read. The only problem is that it is pricey.

Is it this?

 

[Amused]

The only use stock remotes get here are to train my Sony AV-3000. No real HT enthusiast uses the stock remotes. There's just too many of them.

Weird that the Samsung code for 4 effects your receiver.

If you want a new HD reciver, spring for the new HDTivo from Hughes.

BTW, I've had a Sony HD200 for a couple years now and love it. I hear the HD300 is just as nice. Stay away from the HD100 (in case you buy used). It was horrible.

 

[Dulanic]

The Hughes is the best IMO, the Sony and Hughes are the same darn thing, turn em around and they match EXACTLY except for the RF port, thats it.

The new Samsung for the most part is pretty much just like the old one really, havent seen much difference overall, just minor things.

 

[faZZter]

I am happy with the samsung.....it does get pretty warm though, can't really put other stuff on top of it.

 

[EvilYoda]

We sell the HD300 as our main dish receiver, and we've never had a problem with it.

 

[50]

Ok, I'm going to decide between the Samsung SIR-TS360 or the Sony. The main thing that concerns me is price now. The Samsung is only 300 dollars while the Sony is still 700. Does the 400 dollar price difference justify the difference in quality/features?

 

[Apex]

If you're not happy with the Samsung SIR-TS160, you'll probably not like the SIR-TS360. The Samsung units have pretty much the same reception/quality for a single generation. I've had the SIR-T351, and currently have the SIR-T165 and SIR-T151. The T165 definitely gives you better quality than the T151, which is better than the new T351.

You might want to look into the LG LSS-3200A. LG's have great quality (I picked up a LST-3510A and it's very very good. Extremely sensitive tuner, and clean picture). There's also the Toshiba DST-3100, but I'm not sure how good that one is.

 

[50]

I don't hate the 160, it's just I heard it was a bad model and most people had problems with it. My main issue was with the remote, if that is fixed, I don't think I would have any problems. I'll check out the LG model, thanks Apex

EDIT: I just read the LG review. It seems like it is very similar to the Hughes HTL-HD. I want to stay as far away from the Hughes as possible. I think I will be getting the TS360. Can anyone give me a detailed comparison between the 160 and 360?