[HDCblGuy]

I need advice as to a good STB. I was going to get the Panasonic TU-HDS20, but I didn't hear good reviews about it. The STB must have a component out, Optical Digital Out, and good OTA reception with no drop outs.



Thank you, I appreciate the help.

 

[ilkevinli]

The Toshiba DST-3000 has been great for me. I especially love the colorful program guide. http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/smile.gif

 

[Ken H]

Do a search for the following:

- Sony 100

- RCA DTC


These are all essentially the same:

- Hughes

- Toshiba 3000

- Panasonic HDS20


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"Better living thru modern, expensive electronics devices"

tm


[This message has been edited by Ken H (edited 08-18-2001).]

 

[Dark Cobra]

 http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/image_uploads/sign.gif



Hi HDCBLGUY!


I'm just curious which reviews were you referring to that down-rated the Panasonic STB? Most of what I have read has been the opposite, with those reviews praising the Panasonic. Just curious. The other poster's are pretty much right in that a lot of these sets are very similar to each other in application and really only differ in cosmetics.
http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/eek.gif http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/eek.gif http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/eek.gif


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COBRA


. . . Unleash the Hounds of Hell . . .

 

[HDCblGuy]

Sorry, I do not have a link, but I read somewhere on this board (I think I did a search for that model) and didn't get a lot of positive reviews. One user said that it dropped out every 30 seconds. If anyone knows either way please let me know.


Thanks!

 

[HDCblGuy]

Dark Cobra,

The post: Returned TU-HDS20, Need new OTA STB. Which One? Help!!! by Jim CL
http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/Forum11/HTML/015696.html says that the signal dropped out every 30 seconds and I believe that I read a few other posts like that.

 

[bschack]

Do all of the above STB's have DirecTv?

 

[Dark Cobra]

 http://www.avsforum.com/ubb/image_uploads/marvin.gif



Hi again HDCblGuy!


Ok...I went to the post you cited and read the unfortunate experience that guy had with his. I misunderstood you and I guess it's my fault. I thought you were referring to some professional reviews of the Panasonic STB that down rated it.


The only thing I can say is anyone can have a bad experience with any product. Heck a Rolls Royce or a Mercedes can have parts go bad...it happens. However, on balance I think you will find the Panasonic STB to be one of the premier STB's out there. Nearly, every major review of it has found it be be an excellent product. I wouldn't judge this apple to strongly based on one or two individual's who experienced problems.


I have seen folks post and trash some of the greatest equipment out there. I think the best critical acid test for picking a product should be based on the totality of a lot of experiences. However, you wouldn't be going wrong in purchasing any of the other sets either. Guess you have to have a comfort zone with a product too, so good luck in your purchase and let us all know what you got!


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COBRA


. . . Unleash the Hounds of Hell . . .

 

[bschack]

As another member strongly considering the Panasonic STB, I am concerned about 2 things with the Panny: 1) No signal strength meter; and 2) painfully slow interface (at least thats what I've heard).


Are these legitimate concerns?

 

[ilkevinli]

From what I understand, the "slow interface" has been corrected with a firmware update. Do a search for it and youll find some posts on it.


[This message has been edited by ilkevinli (edited 08-20-2001).]

 

[nnci]

I have had the Panny for 4 months, HAD the Sony, and have a DTC-100. The software upgrade works wonders. I experience no dropouts after trimming a tree branch(!), The guide speed is much much improved. Of course the DTC-100 guide if faster, but you have to wait for program descriptions on the DTC. The Panny has the best upconversion, integrated Sat & OTA in the guide, even Local OTA guide info. The Panny has an aspect button on the remote making changing aspect ratio a task that takes a split second. I've never had a sync problem.

I haven't tried the Tosh/Mits/Huges clones, but the Panny is great...it ABSOLUTELY KILLS THE SONY! The only thing I did when I switched from the Sony is go buy a $14 Digital clock for the top of the ent. center! Read this months issue of TPV, it is the definitive source for pros and cons of current DTV STBs, sans RCA. The article echos my experience.


BOTTOM LINE-

BUY THE PANNY!


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TN55x81-TUHDS20-AVR210-AD800 Down...DTC-100, TSL3295HF, VSX-D710, DV434 up

 

[nnci]

Whoops,

The panny does not have a signal strength meter for OTA, but I see that as a minor inconvience. If you have an antennae with a rotator it may take a little longer, but once your ant is set what's the difference?


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TN55x81-TUHDS20-AVR210-AD800 Down...DTC-100, TSL3295HF, VSX-D710, DV434 up

 

[bmello]

Quote:

Originally posted by nnci: Whoops, The panny does not have a signal strength meter for OTA, but I see that as a minor inconvience. If you have an antennae with a rotator it may take a little longer, but once your ant is set what's the difference?

If you live in an outlining area and have a hard time pulling in the channels, the signal strength meter is a life saver. You could use a external signal meter but that will cost you money and its still not exactly the same as the signal your STB will read. You could also pay a professional to do the install for you if you having problems pulling in the channnels. If you really want the Panny and have trouble with reception, I would demo one of the Hughes receivers to fine tune the OTA reception and then return it for the Panny.

 

[KenLand]



With my DTC-100 I found that the signal strength at which a channel would lock and stay locked varied by 20 or so points. The ultimate test was the "stay locked" part which meant fiddling with the antenna until that occurred simultaneously with all 5 local HD channels.


So ultimately the signal strength meter was a useful input, but not the most important.