Could I get some opinions on what you folks think are the best OTA STB tuners for HDTV.

I am VERY pleased with my LG LST-3510a...Also a pretty decent upconverting DVD player...and QAM tuner for cable...if you can find one on eBay...at a decent price...I highly suggest it...No NTSC tuner but really now...in less than 6 mos who will care???;)

The best new unit readily available at this time is the Samsung 260.

I just got a Tivo HD. Two HD OTA tuners and records HD to boot. Very pleased so far.

I just got a Tivo HD. Two HD OTA tuners and records HD to boot. Very pleased so far.

If one wants to record, yes indeed.

I am VERY pleased with my LG LST-3510a...Also a pretty decent upconverting DVD player...and QAM tuner for cable...if you can find one on eBay...at a decent price...I highly suggest it...No NTSC tuner but really now...in less than 6 mos who will care???;)

I had looked at those, but I think I am looking for something still in production. Thanks.

The best new unit readily available at this time is the Samsung 260.

I actually got to try one of those (borrowed from a friend for a day) and I did like it quite a bit. I guess I am just too much of a miser and feel it is a bit pricey.

I just got a Tivo HD. Two HD OTA tuners and records HD to boot. Very pleased so far.

I do like the Tivo idea of a way to go. Could you answer a question for me?
I know it can be used without a Tivo subscription and that you do not get the program information this way.
So, my question is (if you have a subscription maybe someone else can answer);
How do you then set timers for recording a program?
Is there a built-in VCR style of program recording that you can use instead of the on screen guide/Tivo way of recording?

ummm...my miser bell is ringing...but getting to record too...nice
Wish that the TR-50 was not seeming farther and farther away from becoming a reality.

I just replaced my Winegard RC-1010 with the Samsung DTB-H260F as I wanted HDMI out and the Winegard only has component. Of course there is a whole thread on the 260 and over-all it is a fine tuner. My main disappointment is that unlike what the owner's manual states, if you choose to pillar box a 4:3 channel (on a 16:9 screen) it will also continue to pillar box when you switch to a true HD channel. There is an aspect button on the remote to quickly switch but it is still an inconvenience. To tell the truth, I don't see much difference between HDMI and component and other than that the two tuners are comparable. Both need the remote to be aimed precisely at the unit.
If HDMI or QAM is not important to you I would recommend the Winegard.

Thanks for the info.

I guess I am reluctant to pull the trigger. I keep thinking that the TR-50 will suddenly materialize, or that if I wait till the transition there will be a sudden rush to market of lots more (new) choices than what we have now.
After all, there were millions of "HD Ready" televisions sold in the past few years, so company(s) have to see the potential market for this type of device.
Thanks for everyones input.

Wish that the TR-50 was not seeming farther and farther away from becoming a reality.Yeah, but will your miser leanings allow you to actually go for one of those either, once they're out? It's gonna cost a few hundred dollars, you know.

Penny wise, pound foolish. You've got to know where and when it's worth it to spend a little more.

For instance, those 3510a's have phenomenal picture quality, are better-built, and have more features compared to anything out there now. See how many Samsung DTB-H260F's are still running strong 5 years from now.

Wish that the TR-50 was not seeming farther and farther away from becoming a reality.
I hear you. A good OTA HD DVR with solid program guide, scheduling and no monthly fees (or $400 built into a "lifetime subscription") is the missing link to get me off the pay TV hamster wheel.

For me, the no-subscription OTA HD DVR will be the 'killer app' that makes strictly OTA existence feasible. The TR-50 or DTVPal DVR or whatever they call it has that potential, but I'm fearing more and more that it will be vapor.

Yeah, but will your miser leanings allow you to actually go for one of those either, once they're out? It's gonna cost a few hundred dollars, you know.

Penny wise, pound foolish. You've got to know where and when it's worth it to spend a little more.
To me the "benchmark" on price is $580, since there's already a "no monthly fee" OTA HD DVR at that price point, sort of: a refurbished Series 3 HD TiVo for OTA (available from TiVo for $180) plus lifetime TiVo subscription on the box ($400). If they can't considerably beat that price on the box formerly known as the TR-50, they have lost their target market.

Yeah, but will your miser leanings allow you to actually go for one of those either, once they're out? It's gonna cost a few hundred dollars, you know.

Penny wise, pound foolish. You've got to know where and when it's worth it to spend a little more.

For instance, those 3510a's have phenomenal picture quality, are better-built, and have more features compared to anything out there now. See how many Samsung DTB-H260F's are still running strong 5 years from now.

I hear ya. I know what I want and when I see it I will pay what it takes...within reason:D.

To me the "benchmark" on price is $580, since there's already a "no monthly fee" OTA HD DVR at that price point, sort of: a refurbished Series 3 HD TiVo for OTA (available from TiVo for $180) plus lifetime TiVo subscription on the box ($400). If they can't considerably beat that price on the box formerly known as the TR-50, they have lost their target market.

...and thats about the reasonable mark. I think the $400 to $600 range is about right. Of course, the miser always says the less expensive the better...;)

Another "miser" option is the USDTV Hisense db2010 box. They use an older generation tuner and are not as sensitive. However, if you get good reception, they work well, have good picture quality, EPG and timers. No HDMI output, but does have component and digital optical. Please see the following post for more info:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1055192

Can be had on ebay and some craigslist's cities for between $30-60. Just a lower cost option you may want to try.

I am VERY pleased with my LG LST-3510a...Also a pretty decent upconverting DVD player...and QAM tuner for cable...if you can find one on eBay...at a decent price...I highly suggest it...No NTSC tuner but really now...in less than 6 mos who will care???;)

I will. Where I live we have one full power station. The rest are translators.

Thats what your TV NTSC tuner is used for then...

I do like the Tivo idea of a way to go. Could you answer a question for me?
I know it can be used without a Tivo subscription and that you do not get the program information this way.
So, my question is (if you have a subscription maybe someone else can answer);
How do you then set timers for recording a program?
Is there a built-in VCR style of program recording that you can use instead of the on screen guide/Tivo way of recording?

Actually, if you aren't getting the TiVo service, you can't record *at all*. You can flip channels, and trick-play (rewind, pause, etc. for up to 30 minutes), and view any pre-existing recordings - but that's really all you can do.

Another "miser" option is the USDTV Hisense db2010 box. They use an older generation tuner and are not as sensitive. However, if you get good reception, they work well, have good picture quality, EPG and timers. No HDMI output, but does have component and digital optical. Please see the following post for more info:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1055192

Can be had on ebay and some craigslist's cities for between $30-60. Just a lower cost option you may want to try.

Even though it is another out of production box, it sure sounds interesting. Problems is, I can't find any for sale, even on eBay.
Thanks anyway.

Actually, if you aren't getting the TiVo service, you can't record *at all*. You can flip channels, and trick-play (rewind, pause, etc. for up to 30 minutes), and view any pre-existing recordings - but that's really all you can do.

Thanks for the information...I was afraid of that.

Problems is, I can't find any for sale, even on eBay.
Thanks anyway.
Thats nuts you would go for a crappy hisense but not the LG 3510a which is a superior tuner to most anything out currently...But what the hell...its your money...

Try this:
Hisense ebay item #110283111273
LG ebay item #120298136209 which includes a link back to AVS for reviews on what is considered the best ATSC tuner out...Just copy and paste the #'s into the ebay search box...

Thats nuts you would go for a crappy hisense but not the LG 3510a which is a superior tuner to most anything out currently...But what the hell...its your money...

Out of curiousity, does it have an EPG and timers feature? I scaned through the AVS thread on it, but it did not jump out. I like the Hisense, and was just trying to let others know about it. I was a subscriber and got them free after they went under.

Not sure the need for a timer??? Butyes...Has a program guide...

Nothing personal against you...just that I also had the hisense and the LG is just far far superior in form and function...

Thats what your TV NTSC tuner is used for then...

What TV? Only display device I have is my projector and my laptop. You sure do make a lot of assumptions.

What TV? Only display device I have is my projector and my laptop. You sure do make a lot of assumptions.

Well...if you don't want presumptions to be made...I suggest you explain yourself fully and not just partially leaving anyone that replies to you nothing to go by except assumptions based on your inadequate post..Also..considering my original post you quoted...was in reply...and directed towards the thread starting original poster and not to you...then it is all moot...If you think you will need a NTSC tuner then use a VCR tuner...or buy a TV...Who cares what you do...:rolleyes:

Thats nuts you would go for a crappy hisense but not the LG 3510a which is a superior tuner to most anything out currently...But what the hell...its your money...
<snip>

I have yet to "go" for anything. In fact, I am thinking that I will probably wait to see if anything new materializes as we get closer to the transition.

I have the Hisense and a Samsung 260. Both work great. If you get decent reception and dont need HDMI, get the hisense.