Samsung SIR-T451 High Definition Terrestrial Tuner
Quality Receiver at a Reasonable Price
After some patience in setting up, we are delighted with finally receiving DTV!!  One serious thing that should be noted: if you have an analog set, as we do, MAKE SURE you set the rear little switch to analog or you'll get a white screen.  This is not in the instructions and we had the unit replaced thinking it was defective. <br /> <br />We live about 25 to 40 miles to the transmitters past some hills and are connecting our Sony WEGA analog set to the unit.  Unless you live relatively close and have a flatland situation, you really should get a quality UHF antenna (Radio Shack has an excellent one), a rotor system, and a preamp. that mounts next to the antenna to boost the signal (Channel Master 7777 Titan2 VHF/UHF model).  Although the receiver is strong, a good clean signal is really important to reduce/eliminate dropouts. <br /> <br />Goods: quality picture, offers signal strength meter to help point up your antenna, simple and well-laid-out controller, strong RF amplifier for boosting signals, good price. <br /> <br />Quirks: Took us a long time (over days) to figure out the best way to add channels: use autolearn once for the bulk and then rotate your antenna to the other channels and add them manually.  The controller's IR beam is aimed a little UP, so if you aim it at your TV, it actually hits the receiver.  The zoom feature is great for channels that use HDTV and then have a smaller display for normal 3x4 programs - but as it zooms to fill your screen, it distorts the width so the pix is out of proportion; bad planning.   Next, you cannot use the controller to directly access the \\"-\\" channels (e.g. 3-1, 12-3, etc.).  The picture tends to \\"pixelate\\" when there is fast motion, scene changes, anything that creates a demand for repainting the screen info.  I don't know if this is the compressor power inside the receiver or that's the way it's being transmitted.   <br /> <br />Summary: We are simply ecstatic with the receiver.  We watched a PBS special \\"CelticWomen\\" with crystal clear presentation and digital sound.  We live with the fuzzy pix when it has to keep up with motion - it's not that bad.  The antenna is the key: it MUST be exactly aligned with the station transmitter (see Antennaweb.org - they have point-up directions) or things go to pot.  I would classify the device as: Highly Recommended.