View Full Version : Wait or Buy Set top Box
Big Guy
02-20-2002, 08:51 AM
I have a Canadian Express Vu Satellite that uses identicle hardware to Dish Network. The Model 6000 HD receiver costs $800 CDN.
I am anxious to see HD picture as is eceryone who has the capability. I'm afraid that the receivers will change and that the money is not well spent at this time. There has to be an inexpensive interm solution to pick up Off Air programming but all the news groups are geared toward US market for broadcasting. Since I live near Hamilton,On. 1/2 hr from Buffalo there must be some Off Air to pick up from US.
How much $ for a Off Air set top & will I get any programming?
ghostdog
02-20-2002, 09:37 PM
The OA only HD receivers cost just as much as the combination ones, so I would go with the satellite/OA combination. I think we'll see a sizable price drop by the end of the year on these STB's, and it would be smart to wait a little while longer, but I don't practice what I preach so I'm getting one tomorrow. :D
You won't get anything from Buffalo yet as none of their stations are on the air. Maybe by May.
zarlor
02-21-2002, 11:56 AM
Well, there is an 8VSB module available for the 6000. You should be able to find it on Sears.com for around $100. You will need to point your BEV dish to a Dish Network satellite to download their software, but everything will still work for receiving BEV programming when you point the dish back again.
Right now the cheapest way to get an HDTV tuner (if it is not already built into the set, of course) is probably to either have a 6000 or get an RCA-DTC100 which goes for a little bit cheaper, maybe CDN $700 or so. I know I bought mine about 2 years ago for US $450. You can also get DirecTV programming through that box as well. I don't think there are any stand-alone HDTV (ATSC) tuners that are any cheaper, although I do know of a company making an HD tuner for around US $200 to allow NTSC sets to recieve the digital ATSC signals.
sieve11
02-22-2002, 11:15 AM
If you can get any of the Detroit stations, they ALL are transmitting HD programming. Maybe a powered antenna on a mast could do the trick. You might want to check at TitanTV.com, to see if they can answer the availability question.
If you can get Detroit, I would buy an RCA 38310 with all the receivers you need for OTA and DirecTV HD and start to enjoy the beauty of High Definition television!
