Sat. reciever (worth getting new for digital hook up)? (1 Viewer)

[BrianHo]

I must have gotten the cheapest reciever ever made with my DirecTV. It is a Panasonic. It doesn't have the optical output on it. Would there be a big difference if i go with a new reciever with optical connection? What reciever do you reccomend. If i buy one off of Ebay do i need a card or can i use my old one? Whats the deal with the cards that have a football player on them or another sport?

Thanks Brian

 

[Jon_Welker]

I'm not sure about the access cards and all that, but I just picked up a Samsung SIR-S75 at Best Buy. It has Dolby Digital with an optical out and component video out. In the 20 minutes of viewing the new setup, the picture quality did look better than my old RCA with S-video. Also, I think the only programming that comes in Dolby Digital is the pay per view movies and some HBO shows (6 Feet Under, Sex in the City). RCA and Sony also have similar models out, but the RCA doesn't have component out, not sure about the Sony. They all run around $100. Upon first impressions, I would recommend the Samsung.

 

[MikeMeehan]

I have a Mitsubishi sr-sd1 and I think the optical out makes a world of difference. HBO and Showtime have alot of DD movies also most PPV channels are DD.

 

[Bob McElfresh]

If you are going to upgrade, go with a DirectTivo. You wont believe how much of a difference the recording/pause/rewind feature is.

I have had to spend several days in an apartment with a basic Direct receiver and it was almost painful. I could not even scan ahead a few hours in the program guide without "updating program information" taking several seconds with nearly every page flip. (The recorder units tend to pre-download a 2 week guide - no delay). Then I was eating dinner while watching shows and had to wait for commercials to get up and refill my glass, use the restroom, etc. I had forgotten how much of a slave this made you to commercial breaks.

Once you get one of these PVR's (Personal Video Recorders), you will regret the years you spent without one. It is much, much, much more than VCR.

And yes, they have digital outputs.