Samsung SIR-TS360 DIRECTV High Definition Receiver/HDTV Tuner

Delivering The Goods

The Samsung SIRTS360 DIRECTV High Definition Receiver is a one-box wonder. Built upon Samsung's award winning HDTV tuning technology, this powerful receiver not only provides access to over 225 digital-quality audio and video channels from DIRECTV in both High Definition and Standard Definition but also brings you available free, over-the-air HD local broadcasts with the simple addition of an antenna.

Getting Connected

The SIRTS360 provides multiple connections for getting the most out of your investment. Using the DVI jack and a digital DVI cable (cable not included), your DIRECTV HD Receiver can provide the unconverted digital signal from digital off-air, cable, or DIRECTV programming directly to A/V devices that are capable of decoding the digital video information. The DVI jack uses HDCP content protection to allow you to view HD programming that has been encoded using the HDCP protection system. The RGB Out jack (cable not included) uses a computer-standard 15-pin VGA video connection. Using the RGB Out jack, you can connnect your receiver to devices equipped with RGB input jacks (like computer monitors). Optical and Coaxial digital audio connections provide the best audio transfer between components, while the component video connections (cables included) are used to connect the DIRECTV HD Receiver to TVs, VCRs, and A/V receivers equipped with component video input jacks. Component video connections provide a TV picture superior to S-Video connections. For all your other needs, the SIRTS360 also includes S-Video and composite connections, along with RCA audio connections and 2 RF inputs.

Dolby Digital 5.1

Just as ATSC has specified 1080i or 720p as the video formats required for HDTV, they have also specified a recommended audio format: Dolby Digital 5.1. Dolby Digital 5.1 provides 5 discrete channels of digital audio information for use by A/V receivers capable of decoding the 5.1 channel signal. The result when connected to a compatible Dolby Digital 5.1 channel receiver and speaker setup is a home theater experience that provides much of the dynamic range, 360-degree imaging, and sonic excitement of a real theater. Not all Digital TV programming is broadcast using Dolby Digital 5.1. For DIRECTV programming, you can see which programs are broadcast using this high-quality audio standard by checking the Info Banners and Program Guides for the Dolby Digital icon. To take full advantage of the Dolby Digital 5.1 capabilities of the DIRECTV HD Receiver, you will need a Dolby Digital 5.1 compatible A/V receiver connected to the DIRECTV HD Receiver through the Dolby Digital Optical jack or the Dolby Digital Coaxial jack.

Finding Your Way Around

Your DIRECTV HD Receiver provides access to detailed information about TV schedules. The Guides provide scheduling information for all types of programming (satellite, off-air, or cable TV). There are several types of Guides you can access, each suited to a particular set of needs and preferences. The Quick Guide allows you to quickly scan to see what is on right now while still viewing the channel you are watching. It's great for those times when you just want to quickly check out what's showing on that favorite channel. The Grid Guide is the most complete, detailed Guide type. It lets you see the programs for each channel in a scrollable schedule (sorted by channel number, or by channel name). If you don't know what you want to watch, and you want to browse a broad range of channels, the Grid Guide may be for you. The Logo Guide lets you find out what's on by browsing through the channels by highlighting the channels' logos, perfect for those of us who prefer pictures to text.