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02-15-2008, 06:51 PM
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#1 of 14 
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HTF Universal BD Reviewer & Giveaway Coordinator
Location: Navesink, NJ
Join Date: Oct 1997
Local Time: 05:05 AM
Local Date: 10-11-2008
Posts: 4,117
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So what is a good OTA HD STB these days?
Since having both HD DVD and BluRay has kept my high def diet well fed, I havent much regretted not having digital cable, satellite or OTA. A few times recently I've wanted to watch TV on the big screen tho and don't have any choices... Is anyone making a good, inexpensive OTA STB receiver any more? Which ones should I look at and what's a good price?
Sam
My Personal blog is at Navesink.net and my Flickr Stream is here and you can click here to Email Me!
My Information Technology for University Students blog: Infotechbuzz
Join the HTF Flickr POOL or discuss the pool Here
Buncha savages in this town.....
I ran outta gas! I had a flat tire! I didn't have enough money for cab fare! My tux didn't come back from the cleaners! An old friend came in from outta town! Someone stole my car! There was an earthquake! A terrible flood! Locusts!! It wasn't my fault I swear to God!!!
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02-15-2008, 08:22 PM
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#2 of 14
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Member
Join Date: Sep 1998
Local Time: 01:05 AM
Local Date: 10-11-2008
Posts: 2,181
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Re: So what is a good OTA HD STB these days?
You could try to find a used DirecTV or Dish HD receiver that has the OTA HD tuner in it. That works. I have a Unity Motion unit that does OTA as well as C/Ku satellite.
Of course...if you decide you want a subscription service...there is always FiOS!  |
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02-15-2008, 08:36 PM
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#3 of 14
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Member
Location: New York City
Join Date: Aug 2001
Local Time: 01:05 AM
Local Date: 10-11-2008
Posts: 2,487
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Re: So what is a good OTA HD STB these days?
No idea nowadays, but I've been using a refurbed 2nd gen(?) Sammy I bought off eBay for the last 4 years. I think I got it for ~$150 back then -- it was ~$350 new at the time. I might be in the market for one again soon since that Sammy seems to be flaking out a bit lately. Hopefully, it holds out just fine until I upgrade the display a year or so from now (and probably get something w/ the HD tuner built in).
I should probably note that I leave that Sammy on 24/7. Not sure if that shortens its life or not. I didn't think it would, but 4 years ain't that long...
_Man_
Just another amateur learning to paint w/ "the light of the world".
Last edited by Man-Fai Wong : 02-15-2008 at 08:38 PM.
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02-15-2008, 10:13 PM
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#4 of 14
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Chris Sierra
Member
Location: Dallas TX
Join Date: Apr 2000
Local Time: 12:05 AM
Local Date: 10-11-2008
Posts: 2,493
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Re: So what is a good OTA HD STB these days?
I've been using a Samsung DTB-H260F with my projector for a little less than two years now and have really like it. I previously had a Dish 6000 w/ OTA module and it really couldn't hold a candle to the OTA reception quality of the Samsung.
Blu-ray & HD DVD - It's all about the movies!
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02-16-2008, 10:37 AM
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#5 of 14
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HTF Universal BD Reviewer & Giveaway Coordinator
Location: Navesink, NJ
Join Date: Oct 1997
Local Time: 05:05 AM
Local Date: 10-11-2008
Posts: 4,117
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Re: So what is a good OTA HD STB these days?
thanks will look into all the above!
My Personal blog is at Navesink.net and my Flickr Stream is here and you can click here to Email Me!
My Information Technology for University Students blog: Infotechbuzz
Join the HTF Flickr POOL or discuss the pool Here
Buncha savages in this town.....
I ran outta gas! I had a flat tire! I didn't have enough money for cab fare! My tux didn't come back from the cleaners! An old friend came in from outta town! Someone stole my car! There was an earthquake! A terrible flood! Locusts!! It wasn't my fault I swear to God!!!
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02-16-2008, 03:47 PM
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#6 of 14
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Member
Join Date: Apr 1999
Local Time: 10:05 PM
Local Date: 10-10-2008
Posts: 4,996
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Re: So what is a good OTA HD STB these days?
HD Tivo is down to $299 now, has dual ota tuners and built in dvr. Sears has 'em.
Steve S.
I prefer not to push the subwoofers until they\'re properly run in.
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02-16-2008, 04:10 PM
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#7 of 14
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Member
Location: Granbury, TX
Join Date: Jan 2005
Local Time: 12:05 AM
Local Date: 10-11-2008
Posts: 78
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Re: So what is a good OTA HD STB these days?
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Sam Posten
Since having both HD DVD and BluRay has kept my high def diet well fed, I havent much regretted not having digital cable, satellite or OTA. A few times recently I've wanted to watch TV on the big screen tho and don't have any choices... Is anyone making a good, inexpensive OTA STB receiver any more? Which ones should I look at and what's a good price?
Sam
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Well If your just looking at OTA ATSC here is one.
Amazon.com: Samsung DTBH260F HDTV Terrestrial Receiver: Electronics
I only use OTA too and my set has an ATSC built in but the problem is that there is no TV Guide and that only thing I don't like about it so I am going to wait for the EchoStar TR-50: HD DVR unit due out this summer.
Video about it here: Video: EchoStar TR-50 DVR - CNET Reviews
Very interesting indeed for us OTA only people
though is is kind of ugly.
7.1 Surround Receiver Elite VSX-39TX, 2 channel preamp NAD C-160, CD Elite PD-65, Turntable Technics SL-1210M5G, Cart. MC Audio-Technica OC9ML/II, Front Amps 2 x QSC SRA 3622 @ 4800 watts total power, Sur. Amp ATI 1504, 2 x 15" subwoofers with 1000 watt amplifiers each.
HDTV Sony KDS-60A3000, Duo HD-DVD/BLU-RAY player Samsung BD-UP5000, Laser Disc player Elite CLD-99, OTA Antenna Winegard ghost eliminator
Gallery
Click here for the rest of my system
Last edited by BrandonH : 02-16-2008 at 04:15 PM.
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02-16-2008, 04:13 PM
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#8 of 14
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Member
Join Date: Jul 2004
Local Time: 01:05 AM
Local Date: 10-11-2008
Posts: 425
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Re: So what is a good OTA HD STB these days?
I'm still using one of my old Voom receivers. I still miss Voom  It was nice while it lasted. |
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02-16-2008, 05:34 PM
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#9 of 14
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HTF Universal BD Reviewer & Giveaway Coordinator
Location: Navesink, NJ
Join Date: Oct 1997
Local Time: 05:05 AM
Local Date: 10-11-2008
Posts: 4,117
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Re: So what is a good OTA HD STB these days?
Been thinking about the Tivo HD. When I first looked at them there were a few issues:
-The added cost of getting CableCards from my provider and paying more per month for HD service. I'm led to believe if I complain to my cable company or tell them I'm considering moving to Fios (which is in my town but not my CO grrrr) then they may agree to give me HD service for the price of standard basic. If thats the case thats a no brainer, and I would get to choose between their STB and buying my own. When I last used their HD service their HD DVR was ok but no TIVO quality, no idea what they have now at Comcast Eatontown, will have to look into it.
- When I last looked at Tivo HD they werent allowing you to use the external storage lines, I see thats fixed now, as is Tivo To Go, which I'm not familiar with. Can I make Tivo To go clips for my Ipod Touch or PSP?
- Theres still a big ass monthly fee for Tivo right? That would be an impetus to stay with the cable company for me.
I really dislike Comcast and cant wait to move to FIOS, but it could be 18 months till this side of town is served. If I can get comcast to agree to give me HD at standard price, that is truly a no brainer as I said, will have to call them.
My Personal blog is at Navesink.net and my Flickr Stream is here and you can click here to Email Me!
My Information Technology for University Students blog: Infotechbuzz
Join the HTF Flickr POOL or discuss the pool Here
Buncha savages in this town.....
I ran outta gas! I had a flat tire! I didn't have enough money for cab fare! My tux didn't come back from the cleaners! An old friend came in from outta town! Someone stole my car! There was an earthquake! A terrible flood! Locusts!! It wasn't my fault I swear to God!!!
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