[megamii]

Since I am considering getting into HDTV next year, I would like to ask some questions on hardware:


a) I noticed on Crutchfield's web site that it has in pre-order the Samsung SIR-T451. It will not go on sale until December. Since I had seen many STB models manufactuered from Samsung, what made this model different from earlier models?


b) Is the indoor HDTV antenna from Terk good for HD reception?


c) I have a TV that has a DVI input and two component inputs. Would I get an improved image if I connect a STB to my TV via DVI?

 

[Paul Bigelow]

a) The SIR-T451 is avaliable now at some CC locations. Search on this forum.


b) All Terk is high-priced garbage. There are better performing, less expensive choices such as the Zenith Silver Sensor.


c) You may see an improvement, maybe not. Depends upon the quality of the component inputs on the TV and the STB.


Paul

 

[megamii]

Thanks Paul, for the information on Terk and mentioning the Zenith model. Unfortunately, that the Zenith antenna only receives UHF channels. I need an indoor antenna that accepts UHF and VHF channels.

 

[Paul Bigelow]

Which stations and which channel number? The Zenith can actually pick up strong local VHF stations OK.


The Winegard Square Shooter (a larger antenna) is rated for VHF channels 7-13 and then UHF 14-64 (or 69).


Some local stations that broadcast analog on VHF utilize UHF for the digital signal. Digital VHF stations are somewhat rare.


Check out http://www.antennaweb.org for stations and reception needs for your location.


Paul

 

[megamii]

Paul, I live in a suburb between New York City and Philadelphia in Central New Jersey.


It seems that by using antennaweb.org, most of the stations (from the Philadelphia area) I can receive requires me to use an UHF antenna. I am pleased that I can use the Zenith ZHDTV1 Silver Sensor HDTV Indoor UHF Antenna to receive these stations.

 

[John Mason]

If you can use an indoor antenna in an urban environment, often plagued by image-disrupting multipath interference, you might await tuners with 5th-generation chips from LG and others, perhaps early next year. Reports from early tests (see threads here) suggest a big jump in reception capability. -- John

 

[jcg]

I got a T451 at BB a couple weeks back so it's available there too.


John

Quote:

Originally posted by Paul Bigelow a) The SIR-T451 is avaliable now at some CC locations. Search on this forum. b) All Terk is high-priced garbage. There are better performing, less expensive choices such as the Zenith Silver Sensor. c) You may see an improvement, maybe not. Depends upon the quality of the component inputs on the TV and the STB. Paul

 

[Paul Bigelow]

A SIR-T451 at BB? Maybe they haven't quite given up yet.

 

[filmnut]

Quote:

Originally posted by megamii I noticed on Crutchfield's web site that it has in pre-order the Samsung SIR-T451. It will not go on sale until December.

I ordered one from Crutchfield last Saturday, it was shipped Monday, and it arrived today.

 

[mudder]

2 days ago I asked the BB guys about STB's and the only one they had was the LG HDtuner/DVD. They were using a T151 for their display but said they were waiting for STBs w/HDMI outputs before restocking.

 

[megamii]

Quote:

Originally posted by filmnut I ordered one from Crutchfield last Saturday, it was shipped Monday, and it arrived today.

Are you saying that Crutchfield's web site is incorrect to say that the SIR-451 is not "out of stock"? If that is the case, good. I had already it an hour ago.

 

[filmnut]

Well, looks like I lied. On Monday I received the "your order has shipped" e-mail and I guess I didn't read it closely enough. The UPS tracking page showed it was delivered on Thursday, but I've been out of town all week. Today I got home and the only thing waiting for me was a Crutchfield catalog and a receipt saying "backordered until 12/30". I went back to the e-mail and sure enough, even though the box is listed with all the other stuff, it showed the quantity in the backorder column. What I don't understand is why they sent me a stupid catalog via UPS 3-day select.


On the bright side, I've bought things from Crutchfield in the past that I had to wait for, and the items have always arrived sooner than expected. I just hope mine gets here before the playoffs start.

 

[digiclone]

I just bought one (Samsung T451) at CC. Had to search for a store that had one in stock and drive 30 miles to get it. I just kept typing in zip codes on CC's site to search for a store that had them and found 1 store with 3 and another store with 1. 3 other stores had only display models.


Anyone know why they are so hard to get? It makes me wonder if they have a problem with them and need to fix it before they start shipping again or what? I don't seem to have any major problems with it so far. I hate the signal reception meter - very hard to read. Wish it had a meter like the T160 had with actual numbers.