Compras Nikon Bluetooth |
The SIR-TS160 is the first consumer set-top box to use industry-standard DVI (digital video interface) jacks with HDCP (High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection) implementation. Combined with a DIRECTV Advanced Program Guide, selectable output formats, and a videophile design, the SIR-TS160 is a great all-in-one choice for HDTV content reception. The SIR-TS160 uses a seven-day Advanced Program Guide that integrates both analog and digital signals for seamless switching between programs broadcast over satellite and over air. Samsung's proprietary speed-enhancement technology offers the fastest guide-surfing experience available in any HDTV satellite receiver to date. A new guide search lets you scan program listings via the names of actors, movies, and other one-step search fields. A picture-in-guide window makes it easy to watch a program while surfing the listings, or Samsung's Quick Guide will display listings, one 30-minute time-slot at a time, in an opaque overlay atop a program.
Consistent with the all-in-one theme, the SIR-TS160 offers selectable outputs, including 1080i, 720p, 480p, and 480i. This optimizes performance by matching the output to a digital television monitor's native resolution, whether it's a plasma-, LCD-, DLP-, or CRT-based set. Additionally, the SIR-TS160 simultaneously outputs standard 480i composite-video, allowing a dual connection with an analog TV or standard VCR. A full complement of audio-video inputs accommodates current and future devices. These include component-video (Y, Pb, Pr), RGB and HV (15-pin D-sub), two composite-video (one with S-video), and optical and coaxial digital-audio connections.
I have owned this receiver for a year now and have had to replace it three times. The receiver inexplicably stopped working on several occasions. Samsung support suggested I unplug the receiver temporarily to restore the settings and receive a picture. This worked occasionally until it finally stopped working all together. I could only receive an audio signal no picture on cable, air or satellite. A second receiver was sent at no cost to replace the "defective" receiver. After hooking up the "new" receiver it inexplicably no longer received air channels in addition to cable. Samsungs only response was the antenna for local HDTV was the problem. We paid to have professional take a look and instantly he told us we had been sent a refurbished replacement and that it was defective. We no longer could switch between the antenna, cable and satellite I had to choose one of the three but they would not work together. Three weeks after receiving the refurbished product it no longer works. Again I can only receive audio. This product is an absolute piece of junk. I am now awaiting the arrival of my third replacement receiver from Samsung. The professional I hired told us this product is no good he has seen the same problem many times. SAVE YOUR MONEY
I'm replacing a RCA DirectTV receiver and samsung's UI is much better and much FASTER. Set up was a snap. It even worked off my old non-HD dish until the installer arrived to install its dish. It found all my local OTA stations on the first try. Having the OTA stations mixed in with the satelite channels is nice. (I had assumed that OTA would be some separate, hard to get to, guide). The DVI connection is amazing! I've suddenly become critical of my progressive scan DVD player. Another excellent feature is that the DVI and S-Video are live at the same time. This works nice for recording through S-Video while watching DVI. Using it with a Hitachi 51" G500 set.
Not so positive:
Actually, the only thing that bugs me about the unit are the stupid games that come built in. What a waste of engineering. Let see, I've bought an HD monitor, I'm a satelite customer, I have a home theater system--that's right samsung I'm going to cheap out on a gaming system if I want to play games--please give me some crappy games.
An actual problem I had was that my older PVR doesn't have a code to control the 160. Replay wasn't much help and it's really a limitation of the PVR. I mention it only as a unforeseen gotcha you might have.
Finally, I've seen a lot of remote complaints, which I too experienced with the samsung remote. It's might be the weakest IR signal ever. My advice, get a good universal remote to replace the samsung. I personally have been using a Home Theater Master MX500 for some time and once I programed it to the samsung the problem disappeared, I can even close the door over the IR sensor. The MX500 actually has 2 IR beams just in case your aim sucks. Go to www.remotecentral.com to get reviews. The MX500 is to remotes what HDTV is to TV. It will solve the samsung's remote problem and any other remote problem you might have.
Store manager at the retailer said that he had personally returned 4 of these Samsung receivers in the past 2 weeks. Evidently, they have many problems, but both of the items I had seemed to be with the card reader.
Buyer beware!!! I'd find a different manufacturer if you're going to spend 5 notes or more...
I was talked into the upgrade by a salesperson who claimed only the Samsung enabled me to get the local channels through the reciever (thus making them HD). Seems, from some reviews I've read on the Hughes, the salesperson was wrong (Hughes also gets local channels)...but he was right that the on-screen program guide refreshes faster on the Samsung.
I've only had it 3 months, but what I don't like about this reciever is the following:
* The universal remote couldn't "learn" my DVD player - and only "learned" the most basic commands for my other components (on, off, volume...that's about it)
* The #9 button is so close to the "games" button that I frequently find myself in "game" mode (the unit comes with a couple of "nintendo"-style childrens games).
* The door/flap on the reciever (that covers the user buttons/remote sensor) partially blocks the remote's signal, forcing me to have to leave the door open all the time...makes the would-be handsome reciever look sorta tacky.
* At first, the unit was trying to automatically upgrade it's software, but failed every time. A couple of times it flashed a customer support number on the screen, but, when I called it, I got some clueless little old lady that doesn't work for Samsung. As of about a month ago, it mysteriously stopped trying to upgade itself.
* It runs extremely hot (our heating bill might be lower this year. Electric?...that's another story).
...other than that, I haven't had any major issues with it.
Basically, for the extra bill you get a DVI out (premium DVI cable included), RGB out (same type port as your computer monitor), optical Dolby audio out and coaxial Dolby audio out (of course, this is on on top of all the standard jacks you'de find on lower end units).
The menu interface is great and the HD signal is crystal clear on both DirecTV and Over the air. I am pulling in digital over the air channels from 40 miles away with an attic antenna.
I just got done watching the NBA Finals on ABC HD and it was incredible. I recommend this receiver highly to anyone shopping for an HD DirecTV and over the air receiver.
Pros:
- High Definition (HD) video outputs (component, DVI, VGA) and low resolution analog (S-video, composite) are active simultaneously
- Fast processor -- fast channel change, responsive menu system
- Has both optical and coax digital audio output
- Clean, polished, and easy to use user interface with Advanced Program Guide (AGP)
- Includes value-added features, such as Caller ID, games, and calendar
- Wide range of video outputs: DVI, VGA, component, S-video, composite video
- Excellent support policies
Cons:
- Prone to occasional crash/freeze (perhaps once or twice a month)
- Raw Dolby Digital audio stream sometimes not selected automatically (requires re-tuning into the channel... press the channel up, then down)
- Slightly inferior picture quality than Sony/Zenith receiver
- Over-The-Air (OTA) reception signal retention is average
- Problems adding OTA channels (once DirecTV is setup, cannot add an OTA channel manually)
- Always convert the native signals to one of user specified formats (1080i, 720p, 480p, or 480i)
The first thing to know is that there's no such thing as a perfect High Definition (HD) DirecTV receiver. All receivers have one problem or another. It's a matter of finding one that has the feature you must have and problems you can live with. For me, this is that receiver.
The main selling point for me was dual active output capability. That is, both high definition video output (DVI, VGA, component video) and analog low resolution output (S-video, composite video) are active at the same point. In other words, you can hookup the analog VCR or standalone PVR/DVR (e.g., TiVo) to the unit and SIR-T160 will do all the work. When you are watching the program live, turn your HDTV on and watch it in full 1080i or 720p splendor (alas, the receiver does not output "native" signal, should your HDTV support both 1080i and 720p). But when you are not home, or if you want to record the program as you watch, your VCR/PVR/DVR will get the low resolution (480i) signals, too.
With almost all other HD receivers, you must remember to manually set output to 480i and/or toggle S-video/composite video. Otherwise, your VCR/PVR/DVR will record nothing.
Aside from this feature, the Samsung SIR-T160 is about on par with all the latest and greatest receivers. It looks and sounds great (although a notch below Sony and Zenith's latest boxes) and I was able to receive all the key local channels over the indoor antenna -- ABC (720p), CBS (1080i), Fox (480p), NBC (1080i), PBS (1080i), UPN (480p), and WB (1080i). Keep in mind that Samsung does not hold onto signals as strongly as some of the other boxes, so you may have problem receiving signals on bad weather or channels with weak signal strength.
DirecTV channels look and sound good too, although on my 56" HDTV, the compression artifacts were pretty noticeable. HD DirecTV channels look and sound amazing (198 PPV-HD, 199 HDNet, 509 HBO-HD, and 543 SHO-HD -- all in 1080i), however.
So while I do have few complaints, I love this receiver.
I am what you will be; I was what you are.
Q: What looks like a cat, flies like a bat, brays like a donkey, and
plays like a monkey?
A: Nothing.
