receivers

I can agree AND disagree with everyone else's opinion of this unit. I have the unit connected to my 57" Hitachi Ultrvision via DVI-D interface, and to my Panasonic receiver via TOSLINK optical. When I first got the unit I connected it THRU the receiver via Component (RGB) cable. I experienced video dropout during sudden bright scenes, and occasional audio drop out in Dolby 5.1 as others have. I should note I am 55mile north of Tampa Bay and get about 7 or 8 channels (plus sub-channels) with a roof top antenna (Channelmaster from about 1990). The video droppout was clipping due to the Receiver's shortcomings, once I by passed it the video was excellent all the time. I also have not had an audio issue in some time now. Granted, being a TiVo family we rarely get to watch alot of "live" TV, but it has been great. Bottom line is this: reception is key. The signal is digital and thus will be slow to decode, uncompress and prone to packet loss (equating to picture pixelization and loss of Dolby soundtrack) Remember the UHF days? Ghosts, snow, etc.? Same thing, only digital. I previously bought a Zenith unit and it only got 1 channel. The sensitivity of the Samsung is by far superior to anything else in my experience. If you want terrestrial TV in HD for FREE, you'll need to invest in a well tuned aerial. Also I have a standard vhf/uhf 35db booster inline, 30ft from the aerial and 60ft from the tuner and it does not interfere with the signal in a negative way. I give it 4 stars because a this point in time we are too close to next-gen receivers to expect this unit to live up to the expectations of each individual user.

Purchased 1 unit, went though 9 of them before returning it for good. All of them would power up, menu worked, but could not recieve any signal with a $50 antenna. Samsung asked to send the unit in for repair...but why would I do that since it doesnt work new out of the box. I did not have any luck with this unit. My LG electronics one works great with full signal strength.

I wanted HDTV and not intererested in the $800 to $5000 monitor to view it. So I reviewed the Samsung SIR-T351 and found it on sale for $319. I noticed that it worked with a RGB Computer monitor. I have a Sony Multiscan 200SX, top of the line from 8 years ago sitting around from an old computer. I paid $200 buck or so for it. I decided to give it a try. WOW, HDTV with .25 pixels, and the cost of the monitor is, in today's prices, $100 bucks or so. I attached a $10 Computer stereo speaker system and I have sound. The picture is fantastic on my Computer monitor. I put it by my easy chair, with the Analog TV Sony attached to my Motorola 922 satellite reciever, watch local programs on my Computer monitor. There is no need to spend big bucks for the HDTV montitor. Just buy the receiver, attach an old computer monitor, like my Sony and you can enjoy HDTV without the big bucks of the HDTV monitor. I plan to buy a Monitor, when they come down in price, but in the meantime, I can enjoy HDTV on my 17 inch computer monitor by Sony with stereo.
By the way, with the monitor four feet from my easy chair, it has as big a screen as my 36 inch at 15 feet. I am using a pair of rabbit ears from a 26 year old TV to receive HDTV off the air. Good signal.
I recommend this unit.
Don't spend the big bucks for a new HDTV monitor, the Sony Multiscan 200SX for $100 bucks will give you a great picture or some monitor like it. I cannot believe the detail of HDTV especially on the tonite show and PBS nature programs. You don't need the giant screen to enjoy HDTV.