Rating: 
Summary: WARNING!! Do not buy this unit...what a piece of junk!
Review: I bought this model receiver last week from a brick and mortar national electronics retailer. First one I brought home wouldn't recognize the access card, second receiver with a new access card...same problem. Third time, I demanded a product other than the Samsung and got the new Hughes receiver instead...much better.Store manager at the retailer said that he had personally returned 4 of these Samsung receivers in the past 2 weeks. Evidently, they have many problems, but both of the items I had seemed to be with the card reader. Buyer beware!!! I'd find a different manufacturer if you're going to spend 5 notes or more...
Rating: 
Summary: Freeze problems
Review: I had this for 2 days and every 15 minutes the box freezes and has to be rebooted. Im sending this back to samsung to get a new one.
Rating: 
Summary: Incredible Receiver
Review: I have owned this receiver for a few weeks and it works great. The thing I like is the ability to output numerous display types. I currently am running 1080i to my Mitsubishi TV in my main room and then output via a coaxial cable to my bedroom to get the same signal in analog on my old 27" TV. It works great. Also allows you to record HD content. It obviously won't be true HD....but it is still recordable without shelling out money for Tivo or another unit. The menu interface is great and the HD signal is crystal clear on both DirecTV and Over the air. I am pulling in digital over the air channels from 40 miles away with an attic antenna. I just got done watching the NBA Finals on ABC HD and it was incredible. I recommend this receiver highly to anyone shopping for an HD DirecTV and over the air receiver.
Rating:
Summary: nice features
Review: I like this box. It has great menus and a nice picture window while viewing the guide. We have a digital antenna, cable and directv all hooked up to it. The guides sync. with all of the channels which I think is a nice feature. When I first read about this model, I was afraid that it might lock up. That has not happened at all and we have had it for about a month now. Channels change pretty quickly and it is worth the price if you like HDTV.
Rating: 
Summary: buy only if your TV has a DVI-in port
Review: I probably should have bought the Hughes HD reciever because my HDTV only has component-in jacks and my surround sound reciever only has composite-in jacks...plus, the Hughes is $100 less. I was talked into the upgrade by a salesperson who claimed only the Samsung enabled me to get the local channels through the reciever (thus making them HD). Seems, from some reviews I've read on the Hughes, the salesperson was wrong (Hughes also gets local channels)...but he was right that the on-screen program guide refreshes faster on the Samsung. I've only had it 3 months, but what I don't like about this reciever is the following: * The universal remote couldn't "learn" my DVD player - and only "learned" the most basic commands for my other components (on, off, volume...that's about it)
* The #9 button is so close to the "games" button that I frequently find myself in "game" mode (the unit comes with a couple of "nintendo"-style childrens games).
* The door/flap on the reciever (that covers the user buttons/remote sensor) partially blocks the remote's signal, forcing me to have to leave the door open all the time...makes the would-be handsome reciever look sorta tacky.
* At first, the unit was trying to automatically upgrade it's software, but failed every time. A couple of times it flashed a customer support number on the screen, but, when I called it, I got some clueless little old lady that doesn't work for Samsung. As of about a month ago, it mysteriously stopped trying to upgade itself.
* It runs extremely hot (our heating bill might be lower this year. Electric?...that's another story). ...other than that, I haven't had any major issues with it. Basically, for the extra bill you get a DVI out (premium DVI cable included), RGB out (same type port as your computer monitor), optical Dolby audio out and coaxial Dolby audio out (of course, this is on on top of all the standard jacks you'de find on lower end units).
Rating:
Summary: Good Features, But Avoid at All Costs
Review: I purchased this receiver because I liked its feature set and I've liked Samsung products in the past. But I must say that it is the worst electronics item I have ever owned. In less than 4 months, I've had 2 different receivers break down. I think this is unacceptable for a premium piece of electronics such as this. The first one's DVI interface quit working-- not a total disaster because I was still able to use the component outputs until Samsung shipped me a new (refurbished) one-- but the second is locked up in an endless loop trying to download the guide data and is unusuable. I'm awaiting the third receiver now. However, I have little confidence that the third receiver will prove to be any better than the first two. Please avoid my headaches and select another receiver, or if you must purchase a HDTV receiver from Samsung, wait until the new SIR-TS360 comes out. Maybe then, Samsung will have a HDTV DirecTV receiver that actually works for more than a month at a time.
Rating:
Summary: Good Features, But Avoid at All Costs
Review: I purchased this receiver because I liked its feature set and I've liked Samsung products in the past. But I must say that it is the worst electronics item I have ever owned. In less than 4 months, I've had 2 different receivers break down. I think this is unacceptable for a premium piece of electronics such as this. The first one's DVI interface quit working-- not a total disaster because I was still able to use the component outputs until Samsung shipped me a new (refurbished) one-- but the second is locked up in an endless loop trying to download the guide data and is unusuable. I'm awaiting the third receiver now. However, I have little confidence that the third receiver will prove to be any better than the first two. Please avoid my headaches and select another receiver, or if you must purchase a HDTV receiver from Samsung, wait until the new SIR-TS360 comes out. Maybe then, Samsung will have a HDTV DirecTV receiver that actually works for more than a month at a time.
Rating:
Summary: HDTV My Way
Review: I recently purchased the SIR-TS160 after owning a Hughes HDTV receiver. I had many problems with the Hughes unit which would continually lose my local satellite channels. The Samsung works flawlessly. It is the only receiver that I have found that allows you to connect directly to your television for HDTV and connect to a tivo unit through the S-video out and have a signal sent to the TV and Tivo at the same time. Most units will only allow a signal to be sent through an HD output or through the S-video. While using the Hughes I had to go into setup and changed the output to 480i (standard tv) so I could use my tivo. When I wanted to watch HDTV, I had to go back into setup and change to 1080i (HDTV signal). What a pain.
The Samsung allows me to hit Video 1 for HDTV or Video 3 for Tivo (that's how I set it up).
One other thing to consider...ABC broadcasts in 720p (a different type of HDTV signal). I was not able to watch ABC HDTV programs on the Hughes unit. This unit was supposed to be able to decode this signal but Hughes technical support told me that they were having trouble with their receivers decoding the 720p signal. The Samsung has no trouble processing the 720p signal. There is also a switch in back that allows you to choose what signal you want to send to your TV (1080i, 720p, or 480i). What ever you choose, the Samsung decodes the signal and converts it to your signal choice and sends it to you TV. No problem!
The picture quality is great, the menu is easy to use, and it holds onto the local antenna signals very well.
The Samsung has a DVI output for a cleaner HDTV signal (you tv must have a DVI input to use this connection), a component video output for HDTV, and an S video out for the standard TV signal.
All in all I feel that I have made a great choice. This is a high quality receive loaded with features and options.
Rating:
Summary: HDTV My Way
Review: I recently purchased the SIR-TS160 after owning a Hughes HDTV receiver. I had many problems with the Hughes unit which would continually lose my local satellite channels. The Samsung works flawlessly. It is the only receiver that I have found that allows you to connect directly to your television for HDTV and connect to a tivo unit through the S-video out and have a signal sent to the TV and Tivo at the same time. Most units will only allow a signal to be sent through an HD output or through the S-video. While using the Hughes I had to go into setup and changed the output to 480i (standard tv) so I could use my tivo. When I wanted to watch HDTV, I had to go back into setup and change to 1080i (HDTV signal). What a pain.
The Samsung allows me to hit Video 1 for HDTV or Video 3 for Tivo (that's how I set it up).
One other thing to consider...ABC broadcasts in 720p (a different type of HDTV signal). I was not able to watch ABC HDTV programs on the Hughes unit. This unit was supposed to be able to decode this signal but Hughes technical support told me that they were having trouble with their receivers decoding the 720p signal. The Samsung has no trouble processing the 720p signal. There is also a switch in back that allows you to choose what signal you want to send to your TV (1080i, 720p, or 480i). What ever you choose, the Samsung decodes the signal and converts it to your signal choice and sends it to you TV. No problem!
The picture quality is great, the menu is easy to use, and it holds onto the local antenna signals very well.
The Samsung has a DVI output for a cleaner HDTV signal (you tv must have a DVI input to use this connection), a component video output for HDTV, and an S video out for the standard TV signal.
All in all I feel that I have made a great choice. This is a high quality receive loaded with features and options.
Rating:
Summary: Best choice when you have to record the tradional way
Review: Note: I've been using SIR-T160 for almost 4 months now. Early in 2003, new firmware was released, which has solved many critical issues with this receiver. My review reflects this firmware. Another firmware is in the works, to be released sometime later this year. Pros:
- High Definition (HD) video outputs (component, DVI, VGA) and low resolution analog (S-video, composite) are active simultaneously
- Fast processor -- fast channel change, responsive menu system
- Has both optical and coax digital audio output
- Clean, polished, and easy to use user interface with Advanced Program Guide (AGP)
- Includes value-added features, such as Caller ID, games, and calendar
- Wide range of video outputs: DVI, VGA, component, S-video, composite video
- Excellent support policies Cons:
- Prone to occasional crash/freeze (perhaps once or twice a month)
- Raw Dolby Digital audio stream sometimes not selected automatically (requires re-tuning into the channel... press the channel up, then down)
- Slightly inferior picture quality than Sony/Zenith receiver
- Over-The-Air (OTA) reception signal retention is average
- Problems adding OTA channels (once DirecTV is setup, cannot add an OTA channel manually)
- Always convert the native signals to one of user specified formats (1080i, 720p, 480p, or 480i) The first thing to know is that there's no such thing as a perfect High Definition (HD) DirecTV receiver. All receivers have one problem or another. It's a matter of finding one that has the feature you must have and problems you can live with. For me, this is that receiver. The main selling point for me was dual active output capability. That is, both high definition video output (DVI, VGA, component video) and analog low resolution output (S-video, composite video) are active at the same point. In other words, you can hookup the analog VCR or standalone PVR/DVR (e.g., TiVo) to the unit and SIR-T160 will do all the work. When you are watching the program live, turn your HDTV on and watch it in full 1080i or 720p splendor (alas, the receiver does not output "native" signal, should your HDTV support both 1080i and 720p). But when you are not home, or if you want to record the program as you watch, your VCR/PVR/DVR will get the low resolution (480i) signals, too. With almost all other HD receivers, you must remember to manually set output to 480i and/or toggle S-video/composite video. Otherwise, your VCR/PVR/DVR will record nothing. Aside from this feature, the Samsung SIR-T160 is about on par with all the latest and greatest receivers. It looks and sounds great (although a notch below Sony and Zenith's latest boxes) and I was able to receive all the key local channels over the indoor antenna -- ABC (720p), CBS (1080i), Fox (480p), NBC (1080i), PBS (1080i), UPN (480p), and WB (1080i). Keep in mind that Samsung does not hold onto signals as strongly as some of the other boxes, so you may have problem receiving signals on bad weather or channels with weak signal strength. DirecTV channels look and sound good too, although on my 56" HDTV, the compression artifacts were pretty noticeable. HD DirecTV channels look and sound amazing (198 PPV-HD, 199 HDNet, 509 HBO-HD, and 543 SHO-HD -- all in 1080i), however. So while I do have few complaints, I love this receiver.
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