Which of the newer HD receivers is the best?

[airgator96]

Which of the newer HD receivers is the best?

If read the HD Reviews here on the web site, but there seem to be a couple that have not been reviewed yet...

Is there one box that stand above the rest?

 

[voomvoom]

The one that stands above the rest, is the Qualitv. Mostly because it is the only STB (set top box) that does 4:2:2. However, it lacks a lot of other features. It all comes down to "I would rather have...........". No receiver has everything, and ain't likely to, anytime soon. No 2 people are the same, so different people will have different "Rathers"..........?

 

[techno935]

IMHO, Diamond 9000HD looks good in terms of price, and features. I'm not knocking other STBs. The Diamond fits my price range. I'm just nervous of clones. Any STB I buy for Hi-def MUST have an ATSC tuner. This will make it so easy to integrate Equity, ABC News Now, and White Springs with what we get locally. (Plus I have potential due to my location to get 3 different DMAs at once) (miami-lauderdale/Ft. Myers (clear nights)/and West Palm Beach)

When it comes to 4:2:2, my plans for this is too take the DVI-I Dual link output of my video card on the computer, convert it to component, and send it via video balun over some Cat 5 to either TV set. (Obviously converting back to component)

I don't mind using the computer to get the "more often than not" 4:2:2 feed(s). I just wish I knew what limitation in the hardware or software keeps these STBs from doing 4:2:2.

If I knew of a mod to get ANY STB to do 4:2:2, I would be happy.

 

[empiretc]

Any STB I buy for Hi-def MUST have an ATSC tuner.

I feel the same way. I would also need PVR.

 

[Mr Tony]

As Voomvoom noted everyone will say different

me personally I have used 4 HD boxes.
Quali-TV
Pansat 9200
Coolsat 8000
Neusat 9000

all have their differences..as noted the Q will get 4:2:2 in the box but has some other quirks so that box is slaved.
-Coolsat 8000 does DVB-S2 and has a ASTC tuner but no blind scan. No biggie for me. I use my CS5000 to scan and then load that info into the 8000
-Pansat 9200 has ASTC tuner and blind scan and is in the process of being PVR capable
-Neusat 9000 was a satellite only HD box. No ASTC tuner and no blind scan

I have just the Q and the 8000 right now. On the positive side all HD boxes output AC-3 through the RCA outputs so you can listen to AC-3 audio with no extra equipment

 

[airgator96]

As Voomvoom noted everyone will say different

me personally I have used 4 HD boxes.
Quali-TV
Pansat 9200
Coolsat 8000
Neusat 9000

all have their differences..as noted the Q will get 4:2:2 in the box but has some other quirks so that box is slaved.
-Coolsat 8000 does DVB-S2 and has a ASTC tuner but no blind scan. No biggie for me. I use my CS5000 to scan and then load that info into the 8000
-Pansat 9200 has ASTC tuner and blind scan and is in the process of being PVR capable
-Neusat 9000 was a satellite only HD box. No ASTC tuner and no blind scan

I have just the Q and the 8000 right now. On the positive side all HD boxes output AC-3 through the RCA outputs so you can listen to AC-3 audio with no extra equipment

I like that coolsat with the ability to see the dvb-s2, does it have a pvr option?

 

[Mr Tony]

nope...dont need a PVR in it. Its hooked to the stand alone hard drive/DVD recorder...thats my PVR

 

[Stefan]

Isn't there a coolsat 8100 that supposedly supports recording to a hard drive? Not sure how well it works as I don't have one. I have an 8000 instead. Anyway, one good thing about the coolsats is they can be had fairly cheap from hackers who are dumping them.

The Qualitv is a great receiver that offered something no other STB did, but it's getting a little long in the tooth and many feeds now that are 4:2:2 are also going dvb-s2, which leaves the Qualitv behind. Really the closest thing to a "get it all" solution is going to be a PC with a dvb-s2 card.

 

[Mr Tony]

yes the 8100 allows the option of a PVR...160GB max