Could someone who has had a chance to use the Panasonic TU-HDS20 HDTV receiver with Direct TV regular and HD channels please give us a performance review?
Thanks,
Larry

I'm currently using a Panasonic TU-HDS20B set top box in conjunction with a Toshiba Model CW34X92 Cinema receiver. As my A/V receiver I'm using a Sony Model STR-DE845 receiver and Sony speakers. Over all I would rate the performance of the TU-HDS20 as excellent. The standard definition image was very good. The High Definition images on HBO-HD (Channel 509) were excellent better than watching the film at the theater, even the films that were up-converted. The images on the HD promo loop (Channel 199) demonstrated the outstanding possibilities when more varied programming becomes available. The optical audio output of the TU-HDS20 will give you an audio experience that will truely astound you.

As for the overall performance of the TU-HDS20. I found that the remote control response was a little slower than a standard Direct TV set top box, but your asking this box to do alot more than just receive channels from the satellites. I have encountered one firmware glitch that I'm trying to work through with panasonics help (at least I reported the problem). I've had my TU-HDS20 since they were first shipped by Crutchfeild (I was on a waiting list). Since I've received the unit, two times the system lost my channels list (satellite only not my OTA). All I had to do was uplug the unit wait 30 seconds plug it back in and the system re-aquired the list and none of my channel delete setting were lost. Both times this occurred after I deleted a mail message received from Direct TV. Considering this is "new technology" I'm willing to be a patient "early adopter". Sometime firmware fixes only happen after a problem is detect by a number of customers over a long period of time.

In conclusion, it was well worth the investment, now all we need is more HD channels.