jmmesch

This one's the best to date. Perfect setup, perfect picture, perfect DD5.1 sound, and mutated to 7.1 by my A/V receiver.
It's incredible!

mezman

What did you pay for it? What features set it apart from the rest? Where did you get it?

jmmesch

I paid 799 (retail) several months ago, at a time when it was in short supply, so today you might be able to find it for less (at a discount). In fact, I had so much trouble getting one from a website that I ordered it from (Cousin's Video), that I called Zenith and was referred to a Southern California retailer (Ward's Furniture) that shipped it to me (it was their last one in stock, then, too). BTW they were great to deal with!
It has a signal meter for OTA and DirecTV channels, the ability to control volume or not (direct to TV or through AV receiver), has great view modes (5), and sound format selection features (PCM, DD, etc.). Produces a beautiful picture, never pixelates all because it a the latest generation beyond the Toshiba, Hughes, Panny, Mitsu, Sony and Samsung (btw, I had the Samsung SIR-T150 and Samsung bought it back, because its volume was so low, and they could not fix it - call it a BAD EXPERIENCE). Worth getting at all costs, except I recommend a 4DTV/HDD-200 combo if a choice.
We had the latter 4DTV + BUD setup before HD, so when we made the HD move, I got the HD decoder for it (the HDD-200) and the Samsung at the same time! After a few months, we got the Zenith when Samsung took back its defective unit. It rocks with HDNet and OTA HD, but HBO E HD on the 4DTV has better picture (more bandwith) than the Zenith's and the 4DTV gets the west feed too, plus SHO E & W HD. No DirecTV receiver could do as well.
Still, the OTA broadcasts produce that "WOW!" "Oh my G**" reaction from all visitors. And from my experience, the Samsung produced a better picture than the Toshiba, Hughes, Panny, Mitsu, and Sony units, and the Zenith is better.
It doesn't get any better than that, yet!

mezman

jmmesch, thanks for the informative post.

AdminJoe

I believe this model is discontinued.
They are releasing a new model soon.

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*Joe the Admin*

tomrhyne

The new model with DirecTV reception is the HD-SAT520 will have a MAP of $799 and it's smaller cousin HD420 (without DirecTV) will have a MAP of $399. Were scheduled out in August, but it appears it may be October. I've got my oredr in for one.

Tom
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jmmesch

The HD-SAT520 is not scheduled to have a manufacturers adjusted price until release, and may be higher than $799. In fact, the DTV1080 when released was $1199 and street price was $799 when I bought it.

We'll just have to wait and see until August, assuming it is released on schedule. The DTV1080 was not, so I suspect the HD-SAT520 will not be either.

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4DTV Satellite: the best way to feed a HT; + a HDD-200 decoder - now it's the best way to feed a HD HT

tomrhyne

jimmesch,

The following is a posted quote from Robert who works for a Retailer in Florida who sells Zenith equipment. This quote is from the Zenith update to dealers:



The HD-SAT520 may not suppose to have a MAP until released but it does!

Tom
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jmmesch

Tom,

I still say we will have to wait and see. When I talked with half a dozen Zenith personel at Winter CES 2002, they said the DTV1080 had a MAP of $1199, and that $799 was about street price. They also said it was released November 2001 but you couldn't buy it anywhere then.

I suspect similar activities will surround the HD-SAT250 and it will not be available until after Winter CES 2003. As to price, just watch it have a higher price than expected when delivered in small quantities and late, as always.

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4DTV Satellite: the best way to feed a HT; + a HDD-200 decoder - now it's the best way to feed a HD HT