Sony SAT-B50 & A-50
Written: Mar 20 '00
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Pros: Great Quality Signal/Great User Interface
Cons: Flaky Timer-Record Functions/Remote support of Mitsu VCR's
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| edde's Full Review: Sony SAT B50 Satellite TV Receiver |
I recently bought a Sony DirecTV dual receiver system with one A-50 and one B-50. I feel the signal quality to be excellent, and the variety of ways to view content and navigate the large number of channels to be superb.
DirecTV quality is SO much better than cable. I love the quality and selection. I've been a bit disappointed that many shows/movies do not provide Dolby Surround on DirecTV, when I did get Dolby on cable, however the huge increase in signal quality makes up for it.
I have a huge problem with the operation of the Timer and Record Functions. One of the main reasons I bought these units, was to take advantage of the IR blaster, which controls the VCR's.
Although the IR blaster works very well, intermittently BOTH receivers frequently do not turn on at the programmed start time, or do not stop at the programmed stop time. Many times I'll come down in the morning to find the receiver didn't turn on at all, and the events from the previous night are still in memory, but past. Sometimes I'll come down and find the tape has recorded until the end of the tape and the receiver never stopped. The receiver is still in program mode 8 or 10 hours after the event has ended. This can be a big problem if you have scheduled multiple events. The VCR will rewind to beginning of the tape, and the Sony Receiver will turn it off, then turn it back on and record over the beginning of the tape.
Since this is a new product, and the problem exists in both receivers, I feel this MUST be a software problem (I have strong satellite signal). After dozens of calls to Sony, the brand new units are in for repair. I also disabled all my wireless devices, to eliminate RF interference.
Both receivers/remotes are NOT designed to operate in the same room. Even though I purchased the B-50 with RF remote, it can only control one receiver at a time, and the programming code must be changed on the receiver AND remote.
Both the A-50 and B-50 receivers support the VCR-A/VCR-B settings on Mitsubishi VCR's, however the remotes do not.
I'm still awaiting resolution on the timer problem. I'm skeptical, but giving them a poke at it. Many calls to Sony told me I was the only one experiencing the problem, however a few specialists had told me a fix was developed (program on for 2-min, off 2-min, on 2-min) that would fix the problem permanently. It did not work, but it did show me that others must have called in, and the problem had to have been reproduced.
Please e-mail edde@interpow.net if you have had similar experience with Timer/Record problems.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 300
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Epinions.com ID:
edde
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Reviews written: 2
Trusted by: 0 members
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