Samsung SIR-T451 DTV Receiver

Pros: Attractive styling. Good channel pick-up. Flexible connectivity.
Cons: Hard to find, often sells out. May be somewhat noisy.

Early in 2004 I took a plunge into the world of home theatre with the purchase of my first widescreen TV, an HD ready Toshiba 42 inch projection CRT monitor. I chose a CRT primarily for its superior performance with film material but also for reasons ...

Pros: QAM Capable, picture/connection options, can be OTA or DirectTV
Cons: Set-up, hard to find

This last August my old tube TV from the 1990's finally went out on me. Being the guy that I am I decided that since I needed a new TV anyways, I'd hop on the HDTV bandwagon. I did plenty of research and eventually found a great deal on a refurbished ...

Pros: Easy to use and set up, (too?) effectively hides the complexity of DTV to users
Cons: Poor off-air sensitivity, signal strength meter buried deep in menus

Scope of review OK, confession time first: My name is Ken, and I'm a technoholic. (The first step is admitting you have a problem, so if you think this will be a 'general consumer' review you have been warned. I'm a technogeek whose background ...

Pros: Easy set up, good performance, reliable and simple to use.
Cons: Lag. Picking up remote signals is not perfect.

Last year, I purchased a very nice entry level HDTV-ready television, the Sony 30HS420. Our family has had standard cable television for a long time, and I was not particularly interested in upgrading to digital service for just one of our sets. A ...

Pros: Cute slim case.
Cons: Barely works. Slow and poor tech support.

I bought this receiver hoping to use the "QAM Capable" feature with Time Warner Cable. I guess it's a federal law now that ALL cable companies must broadcast the normally off-air high-def channels in the clear, not scrambled. Having troubles with my ...

Pros: Good receiver for the money. Will receive most digital signals in the Los Angeles market.
Cons: Will not receive KLCS-DT channel 58 due to outdated PCIP software used by the station.

I live in the Los Angeles area within line-of-sight of all the digital transmitters. The Samsung SIR-T451 easily picked up all available digital signals except one. It will not receive KLCS-DT, channel 58. The receiver's signal strength meter indicates a strong signal presence, but the picture will not decode. I called the station and spoke with the chief engineer. He indicated that the encoding PCIP software they use is not compatible with Samsung receivers. Samsung tech support told me that they probably need to upgrade their software. The end result is that you can expect not to receive any of the digital signals from KLCS if you use the Samsung SIR-T451.

Pros: Great in operation and looks good too.
Cons: Volume & Mute buttons only for Samsung TVs. No HDMI connection.

After trying MOTO, MAGNA, SYLVAN, RCa, TOSH units...this is the only one that seems to consistantly pull in the signal and produce a great HD pic and Digital Sound. Have tested all outputs and currently find that DVI & Optical Digital connections to produce the most outstanding Video & Audio Quality.
Our area of reception (PHILADELPHIA PA) has a wide variation of formats being transmitted and the set-top-box locks-in and opens hours of enjoyment.
Setup is very easy thru provided menu. Just make sure you go thru the screen-size and format parameters to match your monitor.
I am using it with a Sony HD rear-projection monitor and it outweighs any other set-top-box that I have previously connected.
This is definitely a must buy.

Pros: It delivers a lot of entertainment for the money!
Cons: None, that I can think of.

I have been using this receiver for about 1 year. I have it hooked to a $60 outdoor antenna pointed at the broadcast antennas in the Omaha,NE area. It locks on and delivers HDTV from ABC,NBC,& CBS as well as two
PBS HDTV broadcasts. It probably would pick up the local Fox & Warner Bros. stations if I had another antenna pointed in the direction of their broadcast towers. Though
not sure of this since I think they broadcast on the cheap.
It delivers 720p HD to my Panasonic PT-AE700U projector which is projected onto a 106" diagonal pull-down screen.
I still can't believe this is a projected video signal.
It looks that good!
The Samsung also delivers Dolby-digital sound to my surround sound system. Bottom line is, it does what it
says. I bought mine for about $160 bucks as it was a returned item.