Recommendations for OTA set top box?

Darren Hug

Does anyone have a good recommendation for a OTA set top box? I have seen a Samsung at Circuit City for $200, don't know if it is any good. Do I need one with dvi or hdmi or will component give just as good of picture? Running signal to infocus 4805 screenplay projector it has digital and component inputs.Thanks. I have regular cable now no desire to go to digital cable at this time or near future, just would like to get OTA signal for now.

Jsantors

I recently purchased the Samsung T451 to pair with my DLP 63W.
I use the STB DVI connection and currently enjoy OTA w\ 720p resolution. The TV reports broadcasts at 1280x720 and I am also receiving Dolby 5.1 audio. A lot of folks like the LG 4200, but I have nothing bad to report on the samsung, plus the remote for my TV controls the STB as well. Only problem is the samsung STB is hard to find right now. I got lucky and found one at a small audio/video retail store in my area.

TimX90

Go with the LG 4200A. It is the current king of the hill in set-top boxes. I have it and it's great. It has both component and HDMI outputs along with the optical sound ouput. The picture looks amazing and it tunes in stations really well.

martin1

The SIR-T451 is a good STB for ATSC.(DT). but
The 4200A is better I think(course that's what I have.)
The 4200A also has a NTSC(analog tuner) which make it
nice if you have some analog channels. The LST-4200A will run about
$190 on line but well worth the extra bucks.

parnelljw

where'd you find it online for $190?

martin1

Dumb me I can't type I meant 290 will edit my post.

Xplorer

never used it, just seen it in the local store

thought maybe you'd like to know... FWIW

http://www.walmart.com/catalog/produ...21791%3A179886

__________________
Sony 51"
Adelphia-6200
xbox
NE Ohio

Jsantors

Walmart and HDTV seem like an odd pairing.
I'd stay away from motorola and US digi STBs.
I prefer the Samsung and LG's myself.

slowmo

How does the NTSC work with the ATSC tuner? Does the 4200A have a second antenna input such that you could connect regular cable as well as your OTA coax? If so, are the two sources integrated and displayed as one series of channels or would you flip a setting back and forth between antenna inputs?

I currently use a T351 and am exploring the possibility of dropping my digital / hd cable service. However, the 351 does not have a NTSC tuner.

slowmo

From the spec sheets, it looks like the 4200A only has one antenna input, so you have to choose whether you're running analog cable / antenna vs. digital antenna?

Looks like the 3410A (DVR/OTA) actually has 2 antenna inputs; thus, maybe able to run analog cable and OTA concurrently?

martin1

the 4200a has only one input. But you can get a remote A/B switch
from RS. You will have to scan for channels on both ota and cable but when you switch from one to the other after scanning once you don't have to rescan.