set top boxes

[stevenq99]

Looking for advice on what set top box to buy. I am considering the Panasonic TU-DST52 or the Samsung SIR-T151. I don't really feel DIRECTV HD reception is worth the couple of hundred dollars diffrence for a couple of channels. The reviews on the samsung seem to be pretty good. The Panasonic is billed as "next generation" Any input would be helpful.

Thanks

Steven Q

[R1CK]

if u are looking for just ota check into the zenith 420@circuitcity.com. I had one and i also had a 151 and i think the zenith is nicer.

[stevenq99]

how do you set the outpot format on the Zenith? The other tuners seem to have a switch on the back. I like the vga output in addition to component outputs.

[R1CK]

it's right on the front which is nice and accessible.dont remember vga outputs,does the 151 have them cuz i thought the 150 only had them.

[stevenq99]

I do not think the 151 or the Panasonic has vga outputs. Did you pay $399 for it or did you find it cheaper somewhere else?

[R1CK]

Panasonic??Zenith,and i did pay 399.

[R1CK]

go to this site and click 3-d image http://www.circuitcity.com/frame1.jsp?BV_SessionID=@@@@0160924013.1042525463@ @@@&BV_EngineID=cccladchfhilkgjcfngcfkmdffhdffg.0&upper=head.jsp&lower=frame2.jsp&department=TV+Video+and+Camcorders&category=HDTV+Receivers&right=productsearch.jsp&left=leftchildcat.jsp

[borghe]

If an OTA only box is $399, than a DirecTV box isn't "a couple hundred" more. The Hughes can regularly be found at most Best Buys for $499, so only $100 more. Also, many times the Hughes can be found on sale at Best Buy for $475, so it would only be $75 more. Not a bad deal to get 4 additional channels. JMHO.

[R1CK]

I never said it was a couple hundred dollars more,did i?
You have to figure in the additional cost of programming which is 31-71 dollars per mo to get directv.

[borghe]

no, stevenq99 did.. sorry for the confusion.. For the programming extra, you get HDNet with any package, pay per view with any package, and premium packages cost $12 or less per month each.. If premium channels really aren't wanted you still get 1 1/2 channels for no extra charge..

[Tom Snyder]

Man, I'm feeling guilty. I bought my RCA DTC-100 from Vann's on the internet in 2000 for $249.

You guys know about PriceScan (http://www.pricescan.com) ?

Great place tofind the best price for this stuff. They show the 151 for as little as $349

http://www.pricescan.com/electronics/items/item514440.asp

Of course if you WANT to pay $399, you can get one at
Amazon.com (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00007CJMS/qid=1042600556/sr=1-2/ref=sr_1_2_etk-electronics/002-7183766-1605606?v=glance&s=electronics&n=172282)

[drgingras]

A few more on-line pricing search sites:

nextag (http://www.nextag.com/)

pricegrabber (http://www.pricegrabber.com/)

pricewatch (http://www.pricewatch.com/)

And don't forget to check on prospective vendors:

Resellerratings (http://www.resellerratings.com/)

BizRate (http://www.bizrate.com/)

BetterBusinessBureau (http://www.bbb.org/search.html)

Happy Pricechecking !

BTW, was in Greenfield BeastBuy this weekend, 3 T151's, all open box :( at $399. One was in a customer's hands. A salesman was extolling the virtues of the Terk indoor/outdoor antenna. :bang: After the salesman left, I spoke with the buyer for a few minutes. He left the store without the Terk, but WITH our site address :D

He didn't have a home PC, but promised to look us up at his son's house. Maybe 2 new members for the price of 1?

Dave

[stevenq99]

Thanks for all of your help. Any one had any expereance with J&R music and computer world. They have the samsung for $349 and the zenith for $339 shipping is $7.49.

[Kevin Arnold]

I've dealt with J & R in the past. They do a reputable job with one caveat: make sure the item is in stock when you order. If not you go into backorder hell. Be sure to check shipping charges before ordering also. Good luck.

[borghe]

Actually as one last option, maybe if you are looking on a budget you may want to go to American TV. I was there last year (around July) and they had a bunch, eg quite a few, DTC-100's open boxed on clearance. They had them for as low as $229. Just saying if you are on a budget it may be worthwhile to take a loko at an American. The only catch with the DTC is that you need either a breakout cable and or a transcoder depending on your TV's inputs.