Sony SAT HD100 (Should I get one)

[iceburg007]

I've happily been running emulation on a Hughes Gold receiver and watching on a 10 year old 37" Toshiba via S-video. I recently took advantage of 0% financing and purchased a 57” Sony HDTV ready widescreen. The 57” has now re-sparked my interest into video and audio quality. I’m now more interested in a home theatre environment than watching channels 594-598.

I’m curious if getting myself into something like the Sony SAT-DH100 is going to help me in my new found interest. I love the Hughes software features and I wonder if buying an HD100 will make a huge difference (audio/video) and prepare me for the HDTV future. Please share your thoughts ?

[Paxil]

The Mitsubishi sr-hd400 and sr-hd500 are made by hughes.
I have a hd500. Seems to work ok and has the same type of software the Hughes boxs have. As for the Sony I do not know.

[wease]

The Sony HD-100 is a nice STB. I am currently using a DTC-100 with my Pioneer Elite 510, have been for the past 2 years. If I was to buy a new HD IRD it would be the Sony. Reason being . At the moment it is the only DirecTv HD STB that can output regular Standard Definition programing through it's component outputs as well as HD. Using the componet outputs for SD will give you a better picture on the Standard NTSC broadcasts on your TV. Just my 2 cents.

Wease

[TerminatorT1000]

I have the same monitor that wease has, but I have the Sony hd 100 receiver. The only thing I do not like about it is that it has an internal cooling fan that is kind of annoying. I guess it kind of takes away from the cooling fan on computer sitting next to it;). I just wish that there was more satellite high difinition progamming available for it though. Band of brothers in HD is awsome.

[bigman73]

I have a sat-hd100 and I love it!!! I have a mitsu hd1080 58inch wide screen and the only thing I not like is that in hd mode the tv goes into a narrow on the sides. the screen can get burned in this mode so I have to switch to s-video to mod the pic.but hte sony is the caddy of all irds so get if you can! When I first subed with dave they didn't even have the ird in there database it took them two hours and a call back to me twice to check the model # again. Go sony or Go home! But mitsu makes a better t.v.!

[KungFu]

There is a “Shootout” article in the July/August issue (issue 37) of The Perfect Vision magazine (www.theperfectvision.com) that compares the Sony SAT-HD100, Panasonic TU-HDS20, Toshiba DST-3000 and Mitsubishi SRHD-5. The article, (authored by Gary Merson a video professional), is heavily detailed yet written in layman’s language for most of us to understand.

I have a Sony A-50 and like the format. After reading this article I’m leaning towards the Mits. I don’t believe these units are winked as of yet. Have to make a decision soon. Hope this helps