Motorola HDT100 High Definition Off-Air Tuner

Rating:
Summary: Great reception but with minor glitches
Review: I tried a Samsung T351 because it has a DVI output. However, with a small Zenith ZHD-TV1, I couldn't get all the local channels in DC. After switching to Motoral HDT100, I got all the local channels as well as Baltimore's. Impressive!

The picture quality seems no different with component input of the Motorala and with DVI input of SIR-T351 on my Sony XBR800 34 inch wide screen. The only picture quality difference can be seen when there is an overlay menu. The picture would jitter a bit before an overlay menu disappears. But you don't have to worry about picture jittering when a menu is not activated.

The only real complaint I have is that the unit has mysteriously changes its password twice in the past 3 months and the unit became non-responsive. Since a password is required to change any setting on the Motorola or to set it up for use, its sudden changes are annoying. Not only the password was changed without any intervention from me, its setting was also changed. Luckily, password can be reset to default using a backdoor, i.e. entering a sequence of depressed keys. Once the password is reset and the unit is reset to default settings, it is functional again. Each time that happened, the channels have to be scanned/programmed again. Scanning for stations can be a slow process. But it is more bearable than not getting stations/channels that the Samsung couldn't get.

This doesn't seem to be a feature-rich device. However, I don't need all the bell and whistle and a remote control that does everything for you. This unit is simple and functional, most of the time. The Samsung didn't have this strange problem but it couldn't tune in enough channels. Hence, the Motorola is staying with me for a while.

Rating:
Summary: Great reception but with minor glitches
Review: I tried a Samsung T351 because it has a DVI output. However, with a small Zenith ZHD-TV1, I couldn't get all the local channels in DC. After switching to Motoral HDT100, I got all the local channels as well as Baltimore's. Impressive!

The picture quality seems no different with component input of the Motorala and with DVI input of SIR-T351 on my Sony XBR800 34 inch wide screen. The only picture quality difference can be seen when there is an overlay menu. The picture would jitter a bit before an overlay menu disappears. But you don't have to worry about picture jittering when a menu is not activated.

The only real complaint I have is that the unit has mysteriously changes its password twice in the past 3 months and the unit became non-responsive. Since a password is required to change any setting on the Motorola or to set it up for use, its sudden changes are annoying. Not only the password was changed without any intervention from me, its setting was also changed. Luckily, password can be reset to default using a backdoor, i.e. entering a sequence of depressed keys. Once the password is reset and the unit is reset to default settings, it is functional again. Each time that happened, the channels have to be scanned/programmed again. Scanning for stations can be a slow process. But it is more bearable than not getting stations/channels that the Samsung couldn't get.

This doesn't seem to be a feature-rich device. However, I don't need all the bell and whistle and a remote control that does everything for you. This unit is simple and functional, most of the time. The Samsung didn't have this strange problem but it couldn't tune in enough channels. Hence, the Motorola is staying with me for a while.