I just set up my HD-SAT520, having returned my problem-plagued, "early edition" Samsung TS160. (I spent nearly a month waiting for the DTV software upgrade that's been promised and I didn't feel like dealing with the hassle of shipping units back and forth.) Anyway, I must say I'm very pleased with the new unit.

Aspect Ratio Controls

First, just to clarify the AR issues as best I can: When the 520's display formats are set to either 1080i or 720p that you can apply the Zenith's excellent stretch modes to SD programming. I find the "Panorama" mode to be superb -- no more fat faces, elongated heads and oval basketballs that you get when using the Samsung's "full" mode for 4:3 programming. Yes, there is some stretch on the left and right edges of a 16:9 screen, but nothing that really compromises the integrity of the picture.

When you use the 480p, "Native/hybrid" or "Auto DVI" modes on SD/4:3 programming, the 520's own format modes don't work, but then you can use your TV's stretch modes to fill the screen -- at least I can on the Sony KV34XBR800. For example, when in native or auto DVI format, I could achieve an AR similar to "panorama" by using "wide zoom" on my Sony. However, I like the Zenith's panorama mode better so I decided to just leave the display format set to 1080i. I didn't see any upconversion problems, and I spent a long time flipping the buttons and switches back and forth to check.

Input Controls

Speaking of buttons and switches, the 520's display choice button is on the front panel, rather than the back like the Samsung, so it made it alot easier to change modes and compare.

The one switch that is on the back is the one to choose between DVI output or component video output. I saw no strong difference between the two -- DVI might have been a tad sharper for HD programming.

You can also use a button on the remote to "down rez" to 480i to output the signal from S-Video, composite or RF connections for VCR taping purposes. However, one disadvantage of the 520 is that the signal is not simultaneously output in 480i -- i.e., the "always on" feature of the Samsung -- to watch in HD while recording in SD.

Overall Picture Quality

More than any set of features, this is the bottom line for me, and I imagine for most people. Generally, it's very good to excellent and certainly a noticeable improvement over the Samsung. Some SD satellite channels are ALMOST HD quality; others offer pretty much the same grainy or blurry image you see when viewing over the Samsung. That's a DirecTV compression issue. It comes down to what's fed into the receiver, but it's fair to say that the good channels are better on the Zenith, and the bad are no worse and maybe even slightly better. (Why is ESPN so lousy?)

Tuning

No more freezes and wrong access card messages I was getting with the Samsung. Using an indoor antenna that's workable, but not really adequate for consistently good OTA digital, reception was spotty as on the Samsung. On the Zenith, it locks in faster and seem to hold the signal longer than the Samsung.

Guides

The Samsung has the real advantage here when it comes to family usage. The Samsung has a "Who" button on the remote that enables you to create individual program guides for up to four family members that can be accessed with one click. What you have instead on the Zenith is a "Surf" option into which you can view the whole family's collective favorites (up to 50) in the programming guide.

Despite that last shortcoming, in my opinion, the winner by a long shot is the Zenith!

What do you mean by auto dvi format?

Using the DVI connector cable, Auto/EZ DVI matches the input signal to your TV's display capability. It's basically a native pass-through over DVI cables that adapts itself to the TV's resolution. However, if your TV picks up a 480p signal, you can't use the 520's stretch modes to change format; you'd have to use whatever choices your TV gives you.

Thanks.

WIll have to play around to see if is better on 50 inch panasnic plasma with dvi connection via terminal board or using the zenith 520.
scheduled to be installed in next 2 weeks.

Ok Steve, now you've got me upset. Where in heck did you get the Zenith sat520???? I've been all over the net, and all I hear is that they are "back ordered."

And that goes for the Sony hd200, and the new Samsungs. So I sit and stare at the lousy SD picture that my brand new 60" Grand Wega gives, and wait.

Try J&R in New York or Hometheatrebythesea.com in New Jersey. Get them to match J&R's posted price of $699.

Can i use this to connect to my normal cable line from TWC, to watch HBOHD and PBS HD. currently i am connected via a 3100hd form sciatlantic. Also if i can use this with my regualr cable will i see improvement in quality of SD cahnnles.

Yes, you can run your cable service through the Zenith HD-SAT520 and whatever HD channels your cable service offers will be shown. The degree to which the STB will improve the SD content, I can't say for sure since it's not manufactured in conjunction with a cable provider, but with DirecTV.

Im guessing that the zenith has the same collection of channels as the Sony HD200, ie, ALL, CUSTOM, and the 50 FAVORITE. When you unplug the Zenith, does the set of CUSTOM channels get over written by an auto learn process when power is restored?

I ordered mine from J and R 11/8 and received it 11/13. Still sitting in the box waiting for me to install the outdoor UHF antenna. Price: 699, including 2-day shipping.

Just a tip: If you buy from J&R (or any website), always call up their 800# and get them down in price. I eventually got them to $649 for the Zenith, but they put me on back order. While I waited, I tried Soundcity.com and they had it in stock, and when I called up, they came down to $629!