Samsung SIR-TS160 Multiple Platform DirectTV Receiver
Best choice when you have to record the tradional way
Note: I've been using SIR-T160 for almost 4 months now. Early in 2003, new firmware was released, which has solved many critical issues with this receiver. My review reflects this firmware. Another firmware is in the works, to be released sometime later this year.<br />Pros:<BR>- High Definition (HD) video outputs (component, DVI, VGA) and low resolution analog (S-video, composite) are active simultaneously<BR>- Fast processor -- fast channel change, responsive menu system<BR>- Has both optical and coax digital audio output<BR>- Clean, polished, and easy to use user interface with Advanced Program Guide (AGP)<BR>- Includes value-added features, such as Caller ID, games, and calendar<BR>- Wide range of video outputs: DVI, VGA, component, S-video, composite video<BR>- Excellent support policies<br />Cons:<BR>- Prone to occasional crash/freeze (perhaps once or twice a month)<BR>- Raw Dolby Digital audio stream sometimes not selected automatically (requires re-tuning into the channel... press the channel up, then down)<BR>- Slightly inferior picture quality than Sony/Zenith receiver<BR>- Over-The-Air (OTA) reception signal retention is average<BR>- Problems adding OTA channels (once DirecTV is setup, cannot add an OTA channel manually)<BR>- Always convert the native signals to one of user specified formats (1080i, 720p, 480p, or 480i)<br />The first thing to know is that there's no such thing as a perfect High Definition (HD) DirecTV receiver. All receivers have one problem or another. It's a matter of finding one that has the feature you must have and problems you can live with. For me, this is that receiver.<br />The main selling point for me was dual active output capability. That is, both high definition video output (DVI, VGA, component video) and analog low resolution output (S-video, composite video) are active at the same point. In other words, you can hookup the analog VCR or standalone PVR/DVR (e.g., TiVo) to the unit and SIR-T160 will do all the work. When you are watching the program live, turn your HDTV on and watch it in full 1080i or 720p splendor (alas, the receiver does not output &quot;native&quot; signal, should your HDTV support both 1080i and 720p). But when you are not home, or if you want to record the program as you watch, your VCR/PVR/DVR will get the low resolution (480i) signals, too.<br />With almost all other HD receivers, you must remember to manually set output to 480i and/or toggle S-video/composite video. Otherwise, your VCR/PVR/DVR will record nothing.<br />Aside from this feature, the Samsung SIR-T160 is about on par with all the latest and greatest receivers. It looks and sounds great (although a notch below Sony and Zenith's latest boxes) and I was able to receive all the key local channels over the indoor antenna -- ABC (720p), CBS (1080i), Fox (480p), NBC (1080i), PBS (1080i), UPN (480p), and WB (1080i). Keep in mind that Samsung does not hold onto signals as strongly as some of the other boxes, so you may have problem receiving signals on bad weather or channels with weak signal strength.<br />DirecTV channels look and sound good too, although on my 56&quot; HDTV, the compression artifacts were pretty noticeable. HD DirecTV channels look and sound amazing (198 PPV-HD, 199 HDNet, 509 HBO-HD, and 543 SHO-HD -- all in 1080i), however.<br />So while I do have few complaints, I love this receiver.