You probably remember the 1970 Dodge Charger. Still prized by collectors, the Charger was about one thing only: sheer, unadulterated power.

If you are wondering what the 1970 Dodge Charger has to do with a digital TV tuner, hang in there—it will all make sense in a moment. Samsung’s new SIRT-160 digital TV/ DirecTV satellite tuner is also about one thing, as well: sending a fire hose-like stream of video to your favorite TV.

The SIRT-160 is one of the first digital TV tuners to feature a Digital Video Interface (DVI) output, which provides a digital connection to your TV set or video projector for better picture quality than you can get from an analog connection. DVI squeezes a tremendous amount of data through a cable similar to those used for computer monitors, and it provides the best possible picture quality for digital TV and satellite TV images.

As a member of the fourth and latest generation of digital TV tuners, the SIRT-160 should, in theory, rank among the best in terms of receiving and locking onto digital TV broadcasts. But as those of you who have flirted with DTV know, what is suggested on paper and what actually ends up on your screen can be very different. Four years into the transition to DTV, consistent, stable digital television remains a goal instead of the norm for me, even though the Philadelphia metro area, where I live, has seven broadcast DTV stations. Setup and installation of the SIRT-160 is fairly simple, especially if you are upgrading from another unit, as I am. The tuner has all the normal connections for standard TV, high-definition DTV and satellite TV. It outputs DTV and satellite over DVI, component video jacks (the industry norm for the moment) and a computer-style 15-pin RGB connector. It also outputs standard video (480-line interlaced) and both flavors of HDTV (1,080-line interlaced and 720-line progressive), so no matter what type of signal your TV, projector or video scaler demands, the SIRT-160 can deliver it.

Like a roller coaster, the SIRT-160 probably needs some sort of warning sign to alert potential customers about the wild ride they will encounter when using the tuner’s analog video outputs. The emitted signal is at such a high level that it makes the picture from a DreamVision CinemaTen Pro projector look like noon in the Sahara. I also notice that the SIRT-160 seems to have a red push—the reds look somewhat emphasized. However, that turns out to be an advantage, at least for me, since DLP and LCD projectors both have trouble producing good reds.

Regardless, I find it easy to tame both of the SIRT-160’s problems through use of the DreamVision’s picture controls. And generally speaking, it is better to have too much video signal than not enough. Other than the extra effort required to tone down the hot video, the SIRT-160 proves quite user-friendly. The menu system is clean and easy to use, and miracle of miracles, the program guide displays in widescreen on widescreen 16:9 displays, even if the programming is in 4:3. (Most program guides appear in squarish 4:3 even on widescreen displays.) When I activate the channel search feature, the tuner acquires the local digital stations it finds, but be warned—it may be a while before it finds all the stations in a given market.

In order to lock and display digital TV channels with this tuner, Samsung’s designers decided to rely on PCIP data, essentially a digital program guide broadcast with DTV signals. Of seven channels in the Philadelphia market, only five are PCIP-compliant enough to work with the SIRT-160, even though all of the stations are supposed to be compliant by now. When I compare the SIRT-160 with other DTV tuners, all of which are from the second and first generations of tuner design, I am not particularly impressed with its ability to lock and hold signal. Although it seems to do better with very weak signals, like those coming from my local NBC station, WCAU, it seems to struggle with signals of medium strength, like those from the local Fox station, which I am usually able to lock with my other tuners. However, when the SIRT-160 does pull in the signal, I notice that HDTV images look sharper than those from my other tuners.

Samsung says some of the tuning issue may be resolved with a software update, which may also address the scorchingly bright analog video output. The update should be available soon via satellite, so you will not have to call in your installer to put in a new chip or transfer the new software over from a computer.

Overall, the SIRT-160 is a good product, despite its quirks. It tunes and locks digital signals quickly and it has a program guide that works crisply. HDTV signals look clear, sharp and bold. As long as you match it with a fairly new TV or projector—especially one of the new generation of plasma and DLP displays, and preferably a model with DVI input—the SIRT-160 is a good choice. It may not be for everyone, but in the right situation it is likely the best choice available.

DESCRIPTION
DirecTV/HDTV satellite receiver with digital and analog TV tuners built in.

DIMENSIONS
3.8 x 20.3 x 16.4 inches (hwd).

CONNECTIONS
Video outputs: DVI, DB-15 RGB, HDTV component video, S-video, composite video. Stereo analog audio output, coaxial and Toslink optical digital audio outputs. F-connector inputs for satellite dish and TV antenna.

OUTPUT FORMATS
480-line interlaced; 720-line progressive; 1,080-line interlaced.

PRICE/CONTACT
PRICE: $699
CONTACT: (201) 229-4000
www.samsung.com