Newbie - Which reciever to get?

[The Droid]

I am about to make the switch from Cable to DirecTV. The only thing holding me back is that I can't decide between the Hughes GAEBOA, Philips 5500 or Samsung S70 receiver! Does anyone have any opinions on these three. I like the way teh Hughes LOOKs the best, I like the SAVI feature of the Philips and I like teh size of the Samsung (and the games look kind of neat). Bu these are superficial things. Is there any difference in the menu system or anythign else between these three. Also, how are the remotes for these! ANy help is appreciated!

Mike

[John Corn]

How about a DirecTiVo?

[ClearCom]

I find the GAEBOA unit the easiest to use. All of my customers love the remote.
The next step up with Hughes is the executive which gives you many more features like UHF, DD, dual RCA outputs, all for only $50 upgrade cost.

[The Droid]

I'd like to get directivo but I cannot afford that at this time. Just a basic (two-room) system at this time. The three receivers I mentioned are the ones I am interested in.

[Mark Holtz]

Usually, the best deals for receivers are at the time of purchase. I know that the DirecTivo is a bit more expensive, however, anyone who has owned a PVR product, whether it be Dish or DirecTV, can't imagine life without one.

[Punkitup]

I don’t know if warranties are a consideration for you. The Hughes standard is 1-year parts/ 90-days labor.

The Samsung standard is 1-year parts/labor with a replacement option. Their three methods of repair or replacement are as follows.

1. Repair existing receiver: The defective receiver is returned to Samsung for repair and then expedited to the customer by next day shipping (inbound and outbound) paid for by Samsung.
2. Replacement receiver over-night shipped to your residence in advance of the defective unit being returned. (Requires a major credit card)
3. Over the counter exchanges, for replacement receivers, you can pick it up and return the defective receiver to a shuttle service exchange center.
 
 
Peace - James

"Armed and Curious"

 

[pez2002]

Originally posted by The Droid
I am about to make the switch from Cable to DirecTV. The only thing holding me back is that I can't decide between the Hughes GAEBOA, Philips 5500 or Samsung S70 receiver! Does anyone have any opinions on these three. I like the way teh Hughes LOOKs the best, I like the SAVI feature of the Philips and I like teh size of the Samsung (and the games look kind of neat). Bu these are superficial things. Is there any difference in the menu system or anythign else between these three. Also, how are the remotes for these! ANy help is appreciated!

Mike



Well did you make a choice And where are you from ???

And welcome to dbstalk.com

[durl]

Some may not agree with me but I've always liked the Sony receivers. That's all I've ever owned but when I was shopping for receivers I always came back to Sony. I like the layout of the menus and the other on-screen features but I think the remotes are one of the most over-looked features of a receiver. The Sony remotes are very well layed out so that you can easily memorize button position and feel just in case you need to use the remote in the dark.

I will admit that the Sony HD-200 has been a bit of a disappointment but Sony didn't actually build it...

[The Droid]

I decided on the Hughes Receiver, I've ordered the equipment, shoudl be here early next week. I can't wait!

[pez2002]

Originally posted by The Droid
I decided on the Hughes Receiver, I've ordered the equipment, shoudl be here early next week. I can't wait!


Who did you order from ???

[The Droid]

I ordered from American Satellite. Equipment is due to arrive tomorrow!!! I can't wait!

[RetUSAF]

I hope to revive this thread so those of us looking for a new receiver might get some "hands-on" advice from folks using the latest and greatest.

My primary Dishnetwork receiver (7200) got toasted in an electrical storm last week (yes, it was on a surge suppressor), and while they offered a refurb for $22 plus shipping, I started looking at other DBS offerings. (We also have a 301.)

I may end up switching to Directv anyway, because I now see a couple of shows like Discovery Wings, Nat Geo, DIY, that Dish only offers in their most expensive package, but are included with D* in their TCPlus package.

This is the third 7200 I've gone through in the past couple of years, so I'm not particularly happy with its reliability. (Although Dishnetwork replaced them for shipping only, along with a SW-21 or 2.)

And my wife hates the 301 program guide!! Why do the station numbers start big at the top then get smaller as you scroll down?? Counter-intuitive if you ask me.

I've generally been happy with Dishnetwork, but the Dolby Digital of the Hughes GCEBO, Executive Director ( I think), or the Samsung S-75, look very attractive. And I can use it with my current Denon 3300.

I'm not interested in Tivo or HD at this point.

Either the Hughes GCEBO, Executive Director or the Samsung S-75 seem to have the features I'm looking for, according to their spec sheets.

But how do they really work in real life?? For example, my 7200 onscreen guide was really pokey...Hit the remote button, then it came up 3 or 4 seconds later. But we liked its display, with the current program in a window, and 5 (I think) lines of programs.

The Samsung appears to give a similar display, based on some screen shots I've seen, but I don't know what the Hughes offers.

Any comments on how "snappy" or "responsive" these (or other) receivers are?? What does the Hughes guide display look like?? I'm open to good deals, dealers, online or otherwise.

BTW, I went to my local BestBuy, and while they have lots of receivers on the shelf, none are hooked to more than 110v. I can do better on the net.

Thanks!!

Doug

[boba]

RetUSAF on your 301 you can change the number system by simply going to MENU #6 then #6 again select the one that doesn't have a check mark then save it. Dish has tried to make things acceptable to all customers you just have to know how to access the features.

[bills976]

RetUSAF,

Typically Samsungs are the best receivers out there in terms of features. If I remember correctly some people have had trouble with the Hughes director pack series, though I could be wrong on that. I own two Sonys, the Tivo T-60 and non-tivo B-65 (I believe based on the Hughes). Both suit my needs quite nicely, and have had no trouble with either of them.

Seeing that you're a Dishplayer user I can understand why you're not interested in Tivo, though I wish you'd give it another shot. Tivos are much more reliable than Dishplayers, there's no comparison. Just about anyone on this board will tell you that the Dishplayer is the exception to the rule for PVRs - most are wonderful, reliable products. The Hughes HDVR2 and Phillips DSR7000 are the new Tivos out there, you might want to demo one in the store before you completely rule them out.

[RetUSAF]

boba,

Doh!! Thanks for that info!! I thought I'd gone through all the menus...That does help!!

Doug

[RetUSAF]

Bills976,

If it were up to me, I'd look closer at the Tivo too!! Unfortunately my better half understands what a vcr is, what the tapes look like, what slot they get poked into, what button to push, and how to carry them to her sister's house to share.

I know I can transfer Tivo to tape, but that's another highly technical process (according to the wife), that might actually involve turning on the vcr.

**sigh**

Some battles just aren't worth fighting.

Doug

[LarryS]

Doug,
The first time a Tivo season pass catches one of your better half's favorite shows when it switches days or times will be the turning point. After about two weeks I got the " Why didn't you sell that junky DP sooner". comment Now at 5 months on two HDVR2s which haven't booted or missed any shows. Given the price is what you can get for your used DP on Ebay I don't see how you can go wrong. Strongly suggest you consider a DTivo.

[ka101]

My only complaint about DirectTV Receivers and I just swapped from DISH and currently have the GAEBO A is that it does not support an Optical Output for my receiver. My DISH receiver had this and when certain movies that were broadcast the receiver would pick that up automatically and set the receiver to the proper audio. Is there one out there that supports "fiber"? I would not miss the "RCA".

Bill

[antneye]

I have the RCA DRD485RD..aprox 165 from American Satellite. This is a Directv receiver with Dolby Digital output. Thi shas the fiber output you are looking for. Since I have only had RCA receivers over my 2 + years with
DIRECTV I can't comment on how they compare to the other brands mentioned here

[Antneye]

sorry thats the DRD485RG not 585RD

[Karl Foster]

There are many non-PVR Directv receivers that have DD 5.1 output. I have a Mitsubishi SR-SD-1 receiver (no longer in use) that has a low-speed data jack, two sets of composite jacks, and DD 5.1 output.

There is a Samsung SD model and a RCA SD model that both have component video as well.

BTW, you won't find any non-PVR SD receivers by the other provider that have DD output.