Ok, what DirecTV HD receiver?

[HokieD]

I am interested in a receiver that:

[1] can be used in place of my OTA SIRT-150 for local channels
[2] has fast channel searching and menu - some receivers are slooooowwwww...
[3] features where you can still see what you're watching behind transparent menu options and guide
[4] has a remote with extended range - I hate remotes that have to be pointed perfectly at a component.

The reason I want these features is because I have a great RCA DirecTV receiver that has all these features (except 1) and the remote is so powerful you can change channels from outside the house. Compared to my parents satellite receiver that is very, very slow and doesn't let you surf while still watching a program. Annoying.

Let me know what receiver people would recommend based on my criteria above. Also, should I invest in that DVI crap? I don't even think my tv has that kind of input and I don't want to pay for something I will never use. Thanks.

[phenom]

You lost me and my Sony SAT-HD200 when you got to number 4.

The first three... I can accomodate those, but number 4 I can't touch.

[jjmcgraw]

I have this model and I think it can accomodate your needs. I have 2 other Sony receivers to compare to. It is an OTA receiver also, it does surf pretty quick for me (faster than the Sony's - A65 & B65). Has two levels of transparency, and I can control it from another room, back turned, remote does not have to point at box (has an RF antenna). The only thing I find annoying is the length of time the guide bar stays on the top of the screen after changing channels, but I've just gotten used to hitting "exit" after the channel changes. Other than that no complaints at all. This receiver does NOT have DVI, if that is what you are looking for. (it doesn't have FireWire either).

Good luck.

[HokieD]

How is the Hughes HIRD-E86? I am looking at the specs and it offers an RF remote, OTA decoding, OneLine Guide, TurboTune, and it's only $499 at Best Buy.

Also, can I buy the 3 LNB upgrade kit to use with my current dish or do I need to purchase one of those new football shaped dishes?

[zarlor]

What kind of dish is your current dish? If it's round, then you'll need a newer elliptical, 3-LNB dish. PUtting 3 LNBs on a round dish wouldn't get you much of a signal from more than 1 bird, I wouldn't think.

[HokieD]

Thanks JJ, I just saw your post about the Hughes E86 right after I posted asking aobut it, lol. Yeah, that's what I needed to hear. I heard people complain about the Sony receivers so I'm glad to hear the Hughes offers what I want.

And thanks Zarlor. I figured I would need to upgrade to the wider dish. Wider is better, right?

Now, should I spend another grand on equipment now or should I wait until ESPN HD and DISCOVERY HD are offered with DirecTV? By that time maybe the prices on receivers comes down. :rolleyes:

Funny, I thought Discovery HD was already broadcast by DirecTV. Here's what someone from DirecTV told me about these two new stations.

We hope to be able to offer Discovery Channel programming in high definition, as well as other programming. However, as it is DIRECTV policy not to disclose information about upcoming programming until it is officially announced, we do not have a date when we can expect it at this time.

[greggae]

HokieD.....I also have the E86 and a Terk Triple lnb dish. You ought to be able to get both for quite a bit less than a grand. Despite the general opinion about Terk, I liked the dish because the multi-switch is built in and supports 4 receivers. I see it at One-call for $150 and have seen similar dishes at RadioShack, though I don't know the price.

[jjmcgraw]

Hokie...

If your just looking for some more HD programming, I'd wait. HDNet is the only thing worthy right now and programming is limited on that channel. It is one step above the PBS HDTV feed that loops over and over again in my area. It's good for showing off your HDTV (and keeps you happy with your purchase) but not alot of things I'd like to watch. I subscribed to HBO to get HBO HD and got the SAT C kit and subscribed to ShowTime HD, I'm about to cancel both as the movies they show on them I usually don't care for and they are not "true" HD, while the picture is nice, it's just like watching a widescreen DVD. I'd rather rent a DVD and watch what I want. Besides HBO & Showtime package is $22 a month! not worth it in my opinion.

I just realized that I DO have one problem with the Hughes E86 (you may not though). I have the Sony KP65SW700 (16:9), which has several "stretch" modes for 4:3 material. The T.V. has a "stretch", a "zoom" and a combination "stretch & zoom" which turns out to be awsome for 4:3 as there is no distortion and no cut off. Only problem is the E86 takes over and controls the stretch modes for t.v. and does not contain this cool feature. I can do it with non-widescreen DVD's and I CAN use this mode with my other Sony receivers (non HD).

Food for thought.

(good luck December 7th, you guys are coming to our neighborhood, it would be nice to see that one in HD!)

[zarlor]

Hmmm... my experience with HBO-HD has been quite different. All of their movies are film converts straight to HD and they look far superior to DVD, IMHO. Heck, "The Sopranos" alone, in HD, is worth an HBO subscription to me. Toss in special showings like "Band of Brothers" in HD and you've got me hooked for life. But that's just me. Obviously I do tend to enjoy the types of programming that HBO offers. (Although I do agree that most of their weekly shows like "Mind of the Married Man" and "Inside the NFL" are simply upconverts.) Showtime, on the other hand, has even more than a few movies that end up as simple upconverts, so that one is rather dissapointing.

My only complaint about HBO-HD is the lack of DD 5.1 programming, although they are getting much better about that as time goes on. More and more movies are being shown with a DD 5.1 audio track. Talk about Home Theater! Love it!


But to each his own, I suppose.

[WMike]

I am also getting ready to upgrade my old Direct TV system to a Direct TV HD system. My biggest question mark is a new HD receiver.

Anybody have any experience with the new Samsung HDTV 160 receiver? My local BB has it in stock for $599.

Thanks for any help.

Mike

[Fritz]

I tried out the Hughes E86 compared to the Sony HD200 and wound up taking the E86 back the next day for a couple reasons

1. The E86 only has to inputs while the HD200 accomodates three (cable, OTA, DirecTV).

2. The HD200 has a better tuner

3. I found it kind of difficult to configure the E86, having options hidden deep in its non-intuitive menu system...things as simple as signal strength, which, by the way seemed pretty worthless since I couldn't get it to give me a strength meter on the digital OTA channels because I couldn't input a .1 on the end of the channel number. Maybe I was missing something.

The HD200 was more money, but it is a better receiver, although most people would be happy with the Hughes.