Price Paid:  $549.00 from MJshow.com

Summary:
While the picture is great, everyone has there subjective opinion on how ''''great'''' it is. Some say that non-HD channels look better when running S-Video cables to your TV. They look just horrible if trying to view them through the component video input. This means that you have to need to separate sets of audio/video cables to view HD and non-HD channels--which means more money to spend I''''ve experienced as well as read from other reviews and opinions that the audio sometimes give problems. For me, when switching from HD to non-HD and back, the DST3000 may sometimes lose audio. If your A/V receiver''''s audio level is up high, it''''s not a pleasant surprise to hear a sudden burst of static This can be quickly remedied by switching inputs/modes on your A/V receiver. After confirming with other messages in the HomeTheaterSpot.com forum, AudioReview.com, and the store I bought this from, it appears that this unit runs a little hot--even when it''''s been off for hours. I was aware of this problem before hand, but I didn''''t think it was going to be this HOT. Since there''''s no fan and the DST3000 requires to have all three ventilated sides open and clear from obstruction, you can''''t really stick it in a component rack unless it''''s at the very top. For me, this unit stays on top of my audio cabinet instead of inside it. No bonus points for not being able to choose where you want to put it :( If you''''re going on a long vacation, I highly recommending unplugging it to prevent any potential fire hazards. Well, I just confirmed with a Toshiba''''s tech support that if you unplug it, you lose all your settings made to the DST3000 (such as lists of favorite channels). As a result, you can''''t ''''fully'''' turn it off (on the master switch--if you have it plugged into your receiver, line condition or surge protector) or unplug it as a solution to the heating problem. If the heat really bothers you and you don''''t mind losing your settings as well as waiting for your DST3000 to download the guide again, then the aforementioned solution is still available to you. How does this compare to other HD/satellite receivers? I don''''t know. It could only be assumed that the differences aren''''t phenomenal. If you are concerned mostly aboutYou should be more worried about how well your HD-Ready TV outputs the picture--time to call your local

Strengths:
Picture quality Great GUI Shortcuts to favorite channels (9) Button on remote to switch between high definition (HD) and standard definition (SD) ALL buttons are illuminated (not just glow in the dark)

Weaknesses:
Sporadic loss of audio feed when switching between HD and SD channels Runs a little hot (even when unit is off) Can not be inside of an audio/video rack (or cabinet) due to heat

Similar Products Used:
Samsung SIR-T150 (High Definition decoder only)

Price Paid:  $525.00 from Onecall.com

Summary:
I hooked up my new Toshiba 57H81 to my old RCA Direct TV converter box and was impressed with the picture I was getting until I hooked up the DST3000 and was blown away by how much better the picture looked (possibly because of the colorstream outputs?) than the old unit. I still use the old unit with a Tivo, but find the DST3000 to have such better clarity. The HD TV is amazing. It''s like looking out a really clean window at a sports event, the detail is amazing. The Olympics are on now and I can''t stop watching the same events over and over again because of the amazing picture. I haven''t tried hooking an antenna up to it yet to see about the functionality of recieving HDTV for my local channels yet but will soon try. Also having the surround sound makes watching anything much better.

Strengths:
Amazing HDTV picture. Easy setup. Nice ability to quickly go to your 9 favorite channels. Colorstream outputs. Optical outputs.

Weaknesses:
Would like a way to scan page by page in guide screen. This may be possible as I haven''t really read through the book yet.

Similar Products Used:
RCA origional Direct TV reciever

Price Paid:  $400.00 from Mountaindeal.com

Summary:
Same issue with previous review. There are side bars in HD mode, unless the broadcast is true 1080i.

Also there is no screen size choice in HD.

Strengths:
Easy to use. Straight forward manual. Very little heat dissipate from the unit. No fan noise due to no fan.

Weaknesses:
Smear color.

Similar Products Used:
none

Price Paid:  $546.00 from ubid

Summary:
NOTE: This review is for Toshiba DST3000 and not JVC (audioreview.com's error)

I bought this unit to pair up with my Sony Plasma TV since I heard enough complaints re: the Sony HD100's fan noise.

Other strengths:
1) Intermittently has out of sync audio problems appear to be local broadcaster's problems.
2) GUI logic is OK but GUI design is great. Cool stuffs with the onscreen include: Transparent guide display, analog signal strength meter, block-out unwanted chanel...
3) I plan to solely use this box to upconvert attenna and cable's signals to 1080i. It combines 3-4 different sources with component out.
3) It runs soooo quite and cool! The box has 3 perforated sides thus has to be placed accordingly.

Weaknesses:
1) Sidebars with HD signal only. Could cause LCD/CRT burn-in. Hope to resolve this issue with Toshiba TS soon. Otherwise, this box is going back.
2) Color is vibrant but it is too much and there is lack of picture control. Due to this, the colors wash over borders and make it look unrealistic.
3) Manual could be improve.
4) When you switch between HD-1080i and SD-480i, depending on your setting, you may go into a black hole and can't get out! Thus, this function should be on the box itself and not the remote control!
5) The picture seems softer than the quality of my Panasonic RP91 dvd (480p). Just wonder what is the strength of Toshiba's ColorStream HD® which they've boasted?

Overall, I recommended this product! but do not get it at ubid...

Strengths:
No fan, sleek looking, vibrant color quality, great GUI design, programable r/c, optical DTS and component (1080i) out

Weaknesses:
: Sidebars with HD signals... too much color, hollow sound in DTS, picture has soft quality

Similar Products Used:
On-line review of Sony, Hughes, Panasonic, and RCA products