Be careful matching this with your HDTV!
Written: Jul 09 '01
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Pros: Good picture, like the front display.
Cons: Audio sync, 1080i inflexability!!!
The Bottom Line: If your HDTV set is 4:3 be sure you have 16x9 mode or else run away from the Sony!!
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| technonerd's Full Review: Sony SAT-HD100 Multi-Satellite Tuner |
What is Sony thinking? I ended up being a "beta tester" by buying one of the first 250 of these glitch beasts. MOST IMPORTANT! If your HDTV does NOT have a 16x9 mode run like the dickens away from this product! I have a Toshiba TN55x81, and this applies to all Toshiba x81's, RCA MM models and more. When you set up the Sony for your TV type, and it's 4:3, then the sony receives a HD signal, the box automatically switches display type to 16x9! Result? Oprah looks thin again, you can get "double" letterboxing, i.e. bars on the top, bottom, and sides. Sony's Tech support was absolutely clueless and useless. With a 4:3 set without anamorphic squeeze, (16x9 mode) you loose resolution. The sony will "upconvert" ntsc to 1080i (yeah right) but it is not really good at it. The audio sync makes watching your local news OTA in HD look like a badly dubbed Godzilla movie from the 60's. On the other hand, the menu was responsive and the front display is nice. I returned mine and got a Panasonic Tu-HDS20, a far superior receiver in terms of display flexibility, I can change the aspect ratio in any mode (480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i) with the touch of a button on the remote. When epinions adds the TU-HDS20 I will give an in depth review. Just be VERY careful before you buy this Sony, it's not for neophytes of the HD world. (Like I was)
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 799.00
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Epinions.com ID:
technonerd
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Reviews written: 5
Trusted by: 2 members
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