Which OTA receiver, Samsung SIR-T360, LSS-3200A, or Hughes..

Archived from groups: alt.tv.tech.hdtv (More info?)

On Mon, 24 May 2004, Otto Pylot wrote:
> I have also heard that you need an access
> card for those STB's that are DirecTV capable and if you don't
> subscribe to the service, there can be a hefty "extra" charge from some
> of the stores that carry them. Is that true?

There's a subsidy arrangement that DirecTV has with some of the stores in
which DirecTV pays a kickback to the store when a unit serial number
registered to the store is activated. This kickback is factored into the
retail price of the unit to the customer. Typically what happens is that
your purchase agreement has a clause that gives the store the right to
charge an extra $150 to your credit card if you don't sign up with DirecTV
wihin 30 days.

> Ok, so does anyone have
> experience with any of the above boxes, good or bad, for OTA only?

My experience is with earlier Samsung units: SIR-TS160 (DirecTV+OTA),
SIR-T151 (OTA only). They both work, albeit with quirks. I haven't
decided which works better OTA.

Since SIR-T151s are available at closeout ($90) prices I would advise
getting one of these or another previous-generation OTA only receiver if
you're not planning on subscribing to DirecTV right away. Even after you
get a OTA+DirecTV receiver, having the second one will be nice to use the
picture-in-picture feature of your TV (that's why I bought mine).

OTOH, if you have your heart set on DVI, the 151 is not for you since it's
component only; the SIR-T351 (modern OTA-only) has DVI but right now
DirecTV's subsidy price makes the SIR-TS360 cheaper so there's no point in
getting the 351 unless you're determined not to subscribe to DirecTV.

-- Mark --

http://staff.washington.edu/mrc
Science does not emerge from voting, party politics, or public debate.
Si vis pacem, para bellum.