HDTV Sat Reciever & OTA Antenna?

[Barrar]

I am looking for some recommendations for HDTV satellite receiver (DirecTV) that also has over the air capabilities. I also need some recommendations on an OTA antenna that I can install inside my attic or a low profile antenna that would look to be part of my satellite dish ( I would guess a bigger model inside the attic might get better reception). Any links etc that you can provide will be very helpful.

Right now I am leaning towards the Sony receiver, but I am not sure it’s worth money.

Thanks in advance,

[pradike]

I have been using (for about 4 months) the following units that have the requirements for both D*TV HD and OTA HDTV.

What I really like about these are size, value, and performance. The Samsung receiver has DVI output, which I also found important for a quality digital transmission.

Samsung SIR - T160 (http://www.samsungusa.com/cgi-bin/nabc/product/b2c_product_detail.jsp?eUser=&prod_id=SIRTS160X%2fXAA)

What I really like about the Stealth is its compact size AND great performance. I am located 29 miles form the HD station towers, and get ABC, CBS, and NBC in HDTV, as well as FOX in EDTV. Make sure you get the internal amp to mazimize your signal gain. Works great on the room (and is pretty much out of sight - my neighbor never noticed for 4 months until I pointed it out!

ChannelMaster 3010 Stealth OTA HD Antenna (http://www.channelmaster.com/pages/s1.htm)

[durl]

I use the Sony HD-200 satellite receiver and I've been very happy with it's performance. I went with the Sony for a combination of reasons mainly because I needed a unit that was an OTA HD decoder as well as satellite. I admit that part of my choice was brand loyalty; I've owned 2 previous models of Sony satellite receivers and they've been exactly what I wanted in a receiver. The PQ is great and it has almost all the features I care about. It does have a major shortcoming; you can't output via component and s-video at the same time.

As far as OTA antenna, I bought a $15 unit and it works just fine. I used to have an attic unit that cost an arm and a leg but it's reception was worse than the small one. (Even when I lived 20 miles closer to the broadcast antennas.) I currently live 30-50 miles from broadcast antennas.

Hope this helps.

[jckessler]

as far as antennas go, relatively few people have had good luck with those "clip-on" dish antennas.

Putting a good antenna in your attic is probably a better bet.

[pradike]

Originally posted by pradike
I have been using (for about 4 months) the following units that have the requirements for both D*TV HD and OTA HDTV.

Samsung SIR - T160 (http://www.samsungusa.com/cgi-bin/nabc/product/b2c_product_detail.jsp?eUser=&prod_id=SIRTS160X%2fXAA)

What I really like about the Stealth is its compact size AND great performance. I am located 29 miles form the HD station towers, and get ABC, CBS, and NBC in HDTV, as well as FOX in EDTV. Make sure you get the internal amp to mazimize your signal gain. Works great on the roof (and is pretty much out of sight - my neighbor never noticed for 4 months until I pointed it out!

ChannelMaster 3010 Stealth OTA HD Antenna (http://www.channelmaster.com/pages/s1.htm)

These are neither cheap nor "clip-on". These are high quality devices with high quality performance and picture quality. They are also competitively priced. The Stealth has been priced as low as $39 on sale....the internal AMP (recommend highly) is about $38 on sale. I get all Atlanta HD channels, as well as all DirecTV HD channels through my dish & Samsung receiver.

The Samsung SIR-T160 has been reviewed 100 times on this board, and seen as one of the best, full-funtion units for HDTV, oTA, and cable connectivity within one unit. It also is one of the few with DVI connectivity for those (like me) who want a true digital front-to-back connection (DVI connections also to my HD Projector.