Very Good DirecTV Receiver
Written: Sep 08 '00 (Updated Sep 24 '00)
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Pros: Dolby Digital audio, D-VHS compatible
Cons: More expensive, not a plus receiver
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| Chris_Gerhard's Full Review: Hughes Networks D4532 DIRECTV |
The Hughes Platinum D4532 offers Dolby Digital audio, D-VHS VCR connection, and excellent performance for a DirecTV receiver. I have owned Sony, RCA, and Hughes DirecTV receivers and Hughes currently makes the best receivers in my opinion. Very reliable, good design and construction. The picture quality is limited by inconsistent DirecTV broadcasts which is no fault of this product. With one of the DirecTV compatible D-VHS VCRs such as the Hughes HDR-205, Hitachi VTDX815A, or RCA vr911hf you can time shift programming with virtually no lost in video or audio quality. More expensive than the silver and gold systems which I have used also. If you do not want Dolby Digital audio and/or D-VHS compatibility, you probably want to get one of the less expensive systems which provide the same video quality.
I only wish that DirecTV would offer more Dolby Digital programming as currently only selected pay-per-view programs and some Starz! movies are in Dolby Digital. In my opinion DirecTV picture quality is better again in August 2000, but from late 1999 through mid 2000, the quality was not very good. Still it is not as good as it should be, which again has nothing to do with Hughes receivers. This model has been replaced by the E4532 which includes a DirecTV plus receiver that offers the same performance otherwise. You should research plus receivers before buying a new DirecTV receiver, you may or may not need one.
The system includes a dual LNB 18" dish and a single receiver model D45. The dual LNB allows for additional receivers - one can be added directly from the dual LNB output. More than one additional receiver requires a multi-switch.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 200
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Epinions.com ID: Chris_Gerhard
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Reviews written: 15
Trusted by: 0 members
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