Non-PVR (and non-HD) Receiver Comparison Chart

[Mark Holtz]

Well, with my setup, in addition to getting a PVR, I will need to get two additional non-PVR receivers for my mother. Does anyone have a comparison chart?

When I investigated before, I heard about the GAEBOA with Advanced Program Guide, but this was some months ago. Lemmie see:

1 TV - S-Video Input
1 TV - Strictly Coax, however there is the possibility that the TV gets upgraded if it goes boom.

[bills976]

There really isn't any comparison chart because there are so many to choose from. If you're going by brand, the Hughes Director Packs are supposedly good. The Samsung receivers are supposed to be really good (with many features). I have a regular Sony receiver and from what I understand it's a clone of a Hughes receiver. Pretty much all receivers (minus the RCA receivers... I would avoid RCAs as I've heard of problems with them) have S-Video, RCA jacks, and coaxial output. Remember you'll need a 3x4 multiswitch (or an oval dish) to get a dual-tuner HDVR2 and two additional receivers.

[spanishannouncetable]

Remotes on the RCA receivers are the worst. Total crap. Avoid them like the plague. The RCA DVR39 uses the standard TiVo peanut remote, so it's okay.

Samsung receivers are excellent. The Hughes are not as flashy, but they get the job done.

[Karl Foster]

I have four RCA receivers - 3 UTV receivers and a standard DRD 420 receiver. While the UTV's have been great, the DRD 420 ain't the greatest. It is sufficient for a kitchen, or other room where it won't take a beating. It seems slow and clumsy compared to other brands. My neighbor has Samsung receivers, and they are great. RCA, Philips, and Samsung also make standard receivers with Component Video, as well as DD audio.

[crkeehn]

I will second the comment that Samsung Receivers work very nicely, I recently reupped with D* and they provided me with a pair of Samsung receivers.

They include two pairs of RCA jacks, which is nice. They also seem to be quick in responding to inputs. The gamepack is nothing to write home about, although I am developing an addiction to Bugs Opera.

Something that I do miss with the Samsung that Hughes does include is Turbo Tune which takes the 9 channels you watch the most and gives you one touch tuning to them. It's a nice feature, whether it's a deal breaker for you, I don't know.

I suspect that all recent D* receivers offer the advanced program guide. It's again a wonderful feature and beats having to download the guide when You wish to see future listings.

[Wolffpack]

As mentioned above, the Samsungs are very nice receivers. We have 3 S70's and 1 TS-160 (HD). Stay away from RCA's. No good and they run about half the speed of the Samsungs.