HDTV tuner suggestions

TimG · #1 12-06-2005, 12:22 PM

I use a BenQ 8250 projector with an AVR5805 and DVD3910 and do NOT have cable. I want to get OTA HD broadcasts of my local stations.

I can input component or DVI or HDMI into the 5805 and output component or DVI to the 8250 for video. I would like 5.1 also

What are your suggestion on set-top-boxes for HDTV tuners? I'm 40+ miles out from Boston and 5 miles from Manchester, NH. Will I need and outdoor antennae?

TIA,

Tim

westcott · #2 12-06-2005, 04:49 PM

This website will help you determine the best OTA antenna to get for your area.

http://www.antennaweb.org/aw/welcome.aspx

I do not like my H10 from Direct TV and would suggest one from Samsung or Sony. Anybody but DTV.

The new directv satellites are supposed to transmit in MPEG 4 when they come on line. Most HD receivers presently available do not support it now.

So, make sure there is some trade in available if you are going to buy one now.

If you can wait, all the better.

RLA · #3 12-06-2005, 04:57 PM

Hello
If you are looking for OTA The LG LST 4200A is considered the best of the bunch if you can find one. I have to agree the H-10 is the biggest pile of junk
I have had in my rack. The user interface is slow and clunky and the menu system is terrible The H-10 is manufactured by Samsung I cant wait to pull it out and throw it in the trash heap.

Eric Apple · #4 12-07-2005, 11:18 AM

I have an LST and I like it a lot. OTA reception seems pretty solid on weak signals, multipath really however does play fits with the reception.

The channel guide is a little on the slow side compaired to the one on the satellite dish box.

Check out ebay, there are some good deals on refurbs. I got mine there and it's worked fine for over a year.

One thing, you really have to have a wide screen format monitor. There are no good options for 4x3 format displays.

One other thing, HD broadcasts almost seem like they are an experiment with the OTA. Every channel broadcasts 4x3 material in a different configuration - streached, letterbox etc. And sometimes, an HD broadcase goes to commercial and comes back in SD, then the'll fix it next commercial, sometimes the sound will change from 5.1 to PLII. Pretty annoying sometimes. It not the box though, it's the broadcasters I guess figuring out what switch to hit. Best of all are HD commercials in 5.1 sound, during an SD program. The HD commercials are about 15 db louder then the program you are watching. Really annoying.