Samsung SIR-TS160 Multiple Platform DirectTV Receiver
HDTV My Way
I recently purchased the SIR-TS160 after owning a Hughes HDTV receiver.  I had many problems with the Hughes unit which would continually lose my local satellite channels.  The Samsung works flawlessly.  It is the only receiver that I have found that allows you to connect directly to your television for HDTV and connect to a tivo unit through the S-video out and have a signal sent to the TV and Tivo at the same time.  Most units will only allow a signal to be sent through an HD output or through the S-video.  While using the Hughes I had to go into setup and changed the output to 480i (standard tv) so I could use my tivo.  When I wanted to watch HDTV, I had to go back into setup and change to 1080i (HDTV signal).  What a pain.<BR>The Samsung allows me to hit Video 1 for HDTV or Video 3 for Tivo (that's how I set it up).  <BR>One other thing to consider...ABC broadcasts in 720p (a different type of HDTV signal).  I was not able to watch ABC HDTV programs on the Hughes unit.   This unit was supposed to be able to decode this signal but Hughes technical support told me that they were having trouble with their receivers decoding the 720p signal.   The Samsung has no trouble processing the 720p signal.  There is also a switch in back that allows you to choose what signal you want to send to your TV (1080i, 720p, or 480i).  What ever you choose, the Samsung decodes the signal and converts it to your signal choice and sends it to you TV. No problem!<BR>The picture quality is great, the menu is easy to use, and it holds onto the local antenna signals very well.<BR>The Samsung has a DVI output for a cleaner HDTV signal (you tv must have a DVI input to use this connection), a component video output for HDTV, and an S video out for the standard TV signal.<BR>All in all I feel that I have made a great choice.  This is a high quality receive loaded with features and options.