Sony SAT HD200 - Satellite TV receiver - DIRECTV

A tip for those wondering whether they should buy the HDTV-ready TV with the integrated tuner...don't do it. You'll pay an extra $600-800 and will be able to get HD for over-the-air local channels using an antenna. But you'll still have to buy a set-top box like this to get HD through your satellite or cable. Buy this receiver and get both for about the same price!

By the way, the price appears to be set to drop on this item from its lofty eight hundred dollar retail price. I got mine for less than six hundred fifty. Check pricegrabber.com for the lowest prices out there.


Great signal sensitivity but missing some basic features   February 17, 2003
 34 out of 38 found this review helpful

Huge disappointment.

I have eight DSS receivers, dating back to the early days of DSS: Sony SAT-A1, Sony SAT-A2, Sony SAT-A3, Sony SAT-A65A, RCA DTC100, Mitsubishi SR-HD500, and now I just purchased two pieces of the latest greatest Sony SAT-HD200. The last three models are all HD compatible.

I was looking forward to the new Sony since I find the interface of both the Mitsubishi and RCA models cumbersome at best; my older Sony's had better features and functionality. So I assumed Sony would be adding HD functionality to that strong feature/ease of use heritage. However, the Sony SAT-HD200 is a bomb. After seeing continuous improvement in features over the past decade in Sony DSS receivers, this is a GIANT leap back. They omitted an event timer, which every DSS recevier I own (dating back to 1992) has had, and they also lack many convenience features of the SAT-A65A ... such as multiple favorite groupings, channel marks (the convenient screen with your 9 favorite channels), and descriptions of the channels when you are setting up favorites. As a feature set, it is vastly inferior to all my other Sony DSS units including the original SAT-A1 vintage 1991. What was Sony thinking?

Unless you desperately need the HD functionality (in which case you should buy a different brand), the Sony SAT-A65A is vastly superior in functionality at 25% of the price.

I wish I hadn't bought this. I assumed that timer functionality was included - after all I can't remember buying a VCR, DVD player, DSS, receiver that didn't include ALL the funcitonality of the model it was replacing. I even called Sony to ask if I was missing something in the manual, and after appealing it 3 levels up their hierarchy, they admitted that the timer feature was omitted.

Sony is in trouble if this is how they think they should compete.

Strengths:
HDTV compatible; best signal sensitivity of all my receivers

Weaknesses:
Woefully lacking in BASIC features that are in models costing 25% as much; also lacks Firewire (IEEE 1394), which is the only connector that links to a DVHS tape deck

Similar Products Used:
Sony SAT-A1, Sony SAT-A2, Sony SAT-A3, Sony SAT-A65A, RCA DTC100, Mitsubishi SR-HD500


The best HD receiver satellite receiver on the market   January 13, 2003
 13 out of 23 found this review helpful

As of the beginning of 2003, this is pretty much the HD satellite receiver to get. Unfortunately, because of its popularity, it's very difficult to find one right now. I ordered one in late 2002 and am still waiting for my order to be fulfilled. Nevertheless, I got to demo one at my local retailer and it was the receiver that finally convinced me it was the right time to upgrade to HD. My retailer, a high-end shop, offers several competing HD receiver models for sale but 95% of their customers have ordered the Sony. I've had a Sony DirecTV receiver for several years and like the interface, though to be honest I don't use it often now because I run the signal through a TIVO. TIVO claims to be coming out with a PVR which will be able to record and output HD signals later this year; this Sony would be the perfect companion to something like that.

You'll need to get an HD-capable satellite dish to go along with this receiver. Here are some specs from Sony's site:

* High Definition Digital TV Receiver
* Dolby Digital Passthrough
* Advanced Program Guide From DirecTV Service
* Keyword Search
* 20 Event Reminder
* Wide Mode Aspect Ratio Control
* Quick Access to Signal Strength Meter
* Freeze Function
* Cool Quiet Operation
* Front Panel Display Window
* V Chip Parental Control
* Universal Remote Commander Remote Control
* Favorite Channel List
* Inputs and Outputs:
* DVI-HDTV Interface
* Component Video Output Y/Pb/Pr
* RGB Output
* A/V Output x 2
* S-Video Ouput
* RF Output And Passthrough
* Digital Audio: Optical (Selectable Dolby Digital or PCM Output)
* 2 Fixed Analog Audio Outputs
* Television System: NTSC, Analog American Standard (480i), ATSC DTV (480i,480p,720p,1080i),DirecTV
* Channel coverage: DTV 1-69,VHF 2-13,UHF14-69,CATV 1-125,DirecTV variable
* ATSC/NTSC RF Inputs: Antenna(1),CTV(1), (ATSC-8VSB over CATV or Terrestrial
* RF Output: Out to TV (1) Selectable Channel 3 or 4
* DirecTV RF Input Satellite In (1)
* DVI-HDTV Output: DVI HDTV Out (1) DVI-D Single Link Connector 480p,720p,1080i
* RGB Output: 15 Pin Connector (1) 1080i, 720p, 480p
* Component Video Output: (1) Y,Pb,Pr 1080i, 720p, 480p
* S-Video Output: (1) 480i
* Composite Video Output: (2) 480i
* Digital Audio: Optical (Selectable Dolby Digital or PCM Output)
* Audio Output: (2) Analog Fixed Output Level
* Access Card: Smart Card Slot in Back
* Authorized Service Port: 9-pin Serial Port (1)
* Remote Control: RM-Y815
* Supplied Accessories: DVI Cable,Component Cable,S Video Cable,A/V Cable,RF Cable(2),Telephone Cable, Instruction Manual, AA Batteries
* Dimensions: (W x H x D) 16.9 x 3.01 x 12.8" (430x76.5x326mm)
* Weight: 8.5lbs (3.84kg)