DIRECTV Product Reviews and Ratings - HDTV Receivers / Digital Converters - DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver from Abt Electronics

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DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver image

(based on 30 ratings)

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Brand: DIRECTV

Located in: TV & Video, HDTV Receivers / Digital Converters

DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver - H21/ 480i 480p 720p 1080i Picture Output/ On-Screen Caller ID/ Integrated RF Antenna/ Parental Locks/Controls/ Mpeg-2 And Mpeg-4 Compatible/ Simultaneous SD HD Output/ Autotune/ Black Finish/ DIRECTV Activation Form Must Be Agreed To For Shipping

More information for the DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver

Review Snapshot®

Avg. Customer Rating:

4.2 stars

(based on 30 reviews)

90% of respondents would recommend this to a friend.

Customers most agreed on the following attributes:

How long have you owned it:

A month or less(10), One-to-three months(4)

Pros:

Attractive(3), Crisp picture(4), Easy installation(3), Easy to set up(16), Fast connection(4)

Best Uses:

Home(24), Movies(12), Television(15), TV(4)

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast(6), Practical(7), Professional(7), Technically challenged(3), Tech savvy(13)

ABT goes above and beyond!!

By Sokes

from York, Pa on 10/27/2009

Pros:

Crisp Picture, Easy Installation, Fast Connection

Best Uses:

Home, Office

Describe Yourself:

Power User

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

Nice product. No problems

Service & Delivery comments:

Item was delivered very, very quickly. However, the box was already opened and several parts were missing. I called ABT and explained my dilema. They quickly shipped me a NEWER model OVERNIGHT!! I had the new HD box the next day. This was my first purchase from ABT, but will certainly not be my last!! Absolutely incledible service!! Thank You very much!!

HD receiver only works at 480p

By Jim

from Near Houston, Tx. on 4/25/2009

Cons:

Difficult to Hook Up, Poor Picture

Best Uses:

Doesn't work at High Def

Describe Yourself:

Casual User

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

B-band converter apparently doesn't work on brand new reciver. Had to order a new one (converter) from Directv. [...] After two hours of time trying to get a High Def picture, this was the conclusion of the Directv tech (available 24/7 and 365).

Abt Electronics Response: Abt is an authorized service center and can also provide technical support on the products we sell. Please contact us at 847-967-8830 for assistance with the receiver.

Great picture

By Rockaway girl

from Queens, NY on 3/10/2009

Pros:

Crisp Picture, Fast Connection

Cons:

Difficult to Hook Up

Best Uses:

Home, Movies, Sports

Describe Yourself:

Power User

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

Real good picturequality. Ease of navigation. Hard at first to hook-up.

Works as expected.

By Cheeze

from Nashvile, Tennessee on 2/25/2009

Pros:

Crisp Picture, Easy Installation, Fast Connection

Best Uses:

Home

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

For HD Service

Newer model than DirecTV supplied

By DocGoodbyte

from Lake Monticello, VA on 2/11/2009

Pros:

Crisp Picture, Easy Installation, Fast Connection

Best Uses:

Home

Describe Yourself:

Casual User

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

[...]

Service & Delivery comments:

Arrived next business day and was double boxed. New in a sealed retail box. Works perfect and has a clearer picture and runs cooler than my other units.

Product is fine

By Zach

from Los Anegeles, CA on 1/6/2009

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home, Television

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

Use product to watch TV

GREAT RECEIVER, GREAT PRICE, [...]

By RIOTAMALE

from BRENHAM TX on 1/1/2009

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

FOOTBALL BOWL GAMES, Movies, Television

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

[...]

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

Is it the receiver????????

By Harliedog

from Santa Rosa, Tx on 12/30/2008

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up

Cons:

Not Durable, Poor Picture Quality

Best Uses:

Home, Movies, Television

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

Had a bit of a time getting this receiver to work at first after about an hour with directv we finally got it. In the four days following it lost signal about once a day and had to be reset. I'm having a tech come out to see if its the receiver or my coaxial cables. But I doubt it because it worked just fine with the non hd receiver I had hooked up before. Better to buy a newer higher end receiver than this one in my own opinion. It has NOT been smooth sailing with this product.

Abt Electronics Response: If you are still having issues with this product, please contact Abt customer service for assistance.

This is the way it should be.

By Dangerous Dan

from Sunnyvale, Ca on 12/9/2008

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home, Television

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

Could not be happier.

Great quality! [...]

By Cardinals fan

from Vilas, NC on 10/27/2008

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home, Movies

Describe Yourself:

Enthusiast

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

Love it, quality HD picture. Works great easy setup.

Good , Basic Ku/Ka HD Receiver

By GWP

from New York, NY on 8/28/2008

Pros:

Easy Controls, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Cons:

Finicky set-up

Best Uses:

Home, Movies, Television

Describe Yourself:

Tech Savvy

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

Had difficulty receiving 2 Ka satelittes. Normal resetting didn't help. Called Direct and it was suggested to totally reboot via unplugging AC.

Reconnected after 20 seconds or so and the 2 missing satellites came in loud and clear.

Service & Delivery comments:

Per usual, Abt did its job expertly!

Couldn't be more pleased with Abt and I continue to recommend the company to friends and realtives.

Excellent Buy

By Q

from Loma Linda, CA on 8/11/2008

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Describe Yourself:

Tech Savvy

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

It is very good better than the model Direct TV offered me. I am glad I bought this model.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

Does what it is supposed to do...

By chop

from Woodbridge, VA on 7/31/2008

Pros:

Good Value

Cons:

Lost the OTA port

Best Uses:

Television

Describe Yourself:

Professional

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

Good price for a HD receiver. Added a digital coax audio port which helps if you did not happen to have an optical audio port. Heat produced from the unit is much lower than the older HD receiver. You may notice that it does not have a DVR which is why it costs what it does. Double it if you want it included. As mentioned in the con, you can't connect an over the air HD antenna. Lots of stations are now putting out an HD signal for free.

H21 receiver

By Green Heron

from Southwest Wisconsin on 7/28/2008

Pros:

Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home

Describe Yourself:

Practical

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

So far the picture is excellent and I have had no problems, unlike with an older model DirecTV receiver. The remote is a tad touchy, and changing modes sometimes is difficult because you have to press the control at just the right moment to catch the right setting. Oherwise, I was happy to see lots of input and output choices. The cable hookup guide was a litle confusing when I tried to hook up my older DVD/VCR. I think I would have had an easier time if I had a newer model. Price is quite reasonable.

Excellent receiver.

By bser

from Salina, UT on 6/30/2008

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home, Television

Describe Yourself:

Tech Savvy

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

Runs very cool compared to DirecTv's H20 receiver.
Like the black color and the blue indicator lights. It also changes channels faster and the sound comes on faster than the H20 receiver.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

Extremely poor quality-DON'T BUY

By Tom

from Wheaton, IL on 6/13/2008

Pros:

None

Cons:

Almost everything

Best Uses:

Television

Describe Yourself:

Professional, Tech Savvy

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

I purchased three H21 units, two with DVR and one without. All three units are having severe issues with loss of satellite signal and need to be re-booted in order to re-obtain the signal. This is during a sunny day. The non-DVR unit has been down 40-60% of time. DirecTV techs take you through the list of re-start items each time, not wanting to accept the fact they are now selling inferior equipment. I've been a Directv customer for almost the life of Directv and have upgraded as technology dictated, Big Mistake this time. BEWARE. Directv is about to LOSE a long time customer if they don't take care of this issue.
T

Abt Electronics Response: We have been in communication with the customer and will have service follow up as well.

I would recommend this product

By Eric the seven footer

from Detroit, MI on 5/13/2008

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Pros:

Easy Controls, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home, Television

Describe Yourself:

Practical, Tech Savvy

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

Better than the previous HD receiver and much lighter.

Service & Delivery comments:

Fast delivery had product in 2 days with basic shipping through UPS.

great reciever

By sam

from kingston,tn on 5/12/2008

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home

Describe Yourself:

Tech Savvy

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

the only bad thing was it had a bad access card and had to wait 3 days for a new one from directv

"The black color is just what I needed"

By Gregg

from Memphis, TN on 4/14/2008

How long have you owned it:

One-to-three months

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Dorm Room, Home, Movies, Office, Television

Describe Yourself:

Couch Potato

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

I like the black color fits right in. I didn't know it came in black. I[...]

Works like a champ

By Herbie

from Bronx, NY on 4/9/2008

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Cons:

Don't like color of recei

Best Uses:

Home, Movies, Television

Describe Yourself:

Practical, Professional, Technically Challenged, Tech Savvy

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

The hd picture on this receiver is beyond expectations. It is very user friendly a great value for the price. Picks up all the hd channels
with the 5lnb sat. dish.

Great Product

By bater

from Central Pa on 4/8/2008

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Describe Yourself:

Tech Savvy

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

Good receiver at a great price

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

I WOULD BUY THIS PRODUCT AGAIN

By Rono

from Lombard, Illinois on 3/24/2008

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Pros:

Easy Controls, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home, Movies, Television

Describe Yourself:

Practical

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

Since I am using this HD Satellite receiver as part of my home entertainment system, I had everything professionally installed. This HD-21 unit does not get as warm as the HD-20. Vast improvement. Picture quality is great! In fact, so great that I purchased a second unit for another TV in the house!

No complaints to date.

[1 of 1 customers found this review helpful]

A great deal

By Jeff

from Indianapolis Indiana on 3/24/2008

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home, Television

Describe Yourself:

Practical

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

A representitive from Directv let me know that I could buy their HD recievers from outside vendors, but didn't mention who had the best price. After reviewing [...] online, I found ABT's website where I bought a basic HD satellite reciever and saved about $30 off the best deal offered by either of the other stores.

DIRECTV Digital Satellite Receiver H21

By PantherDan

from Charlotte, NC on 3/14/2008

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Pros:

Easy To Set Up, High-Quality Picture

Cons:

IR Remote Inc, No RF remote

Best Uses:

Home

Describe Yourself:

Tech Savvy

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

Great Picture, don't understand why they can't make this the same size as the regular Direct TV reciever if there is no hard drive or DVR capabilities. Box includes an IR remote and not an RF remote. Receiver is RF capable though if you spend the extra $20 for the RF remote. No coax output if you plan on running an extra line to another standard TV.

Offers quality picture and guide

By RT

from Chicago on 3/3/2008

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Pros:

Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Cons:

Difficult To Set Up

Best Uses:

Home, Television

Describe Yourself:

Professional, Tech Savvy

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

Dosn't allow coxial cable hook up to tv, you have to run thru vcr or dvd. I run it to a small tv in the garage. the tv only has coax hook up and this unit dosn't have coax output

outstanding reciever everything you want

By joe mac

from heidelberg, ms on 2/29/2008

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Pros:

Easy Controls, Easy To Set Up, Good Value, High-Quality Picture

Best Uses:

Home, Movies, Television

Describe Yourself:

Professional, Technically Challenged, Tech Savvy

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

this reciever have everything the kitchen sink
included big bang for the buck

Excellent Receiver. HD signal is amazing

By Kennygee

from Chicago on 2/26/2008

How long have you owned it:

One-to-three months

Pros:

and low noise, Great Picture

Cons:

None so far

Best Uses:

Home, Movies, TV

Describe Yourself:

Technically Challenged

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

I have 3 of these receivers. They produce excellent image both in HD and SD. Much better quality than my old Hughes receiver. I will recommend it to anyone who needs a reasonably priced HD receiver.

HD Directv at its best

By HD Guru

from Kansas City, MO on 2/14/2008

How long have you owned it:

One-to-three months

Pros:

Attractive Design, Easy To Set Up, Great Picture

Cons:

Dont come with RF remote

Best Uses:

HD DLP projector 106, Home, Movies, TV

Describe Yourself:

Gearhead, Professional, Tech Savvy

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

I've owned this unit for about 3 months, works great, love the black face. I also own a H20 for about 2 years and have had absolutly no problems with it.

Service & Delivery comments:

Abt was great to buy from, emails for transactions and tracking numbers were fast.

Easy and inexpensive

By b0ardbum

from el paso, tx on 2/11/2008

How long have you owned it:

A month or less

Pros:

Attractive Design, Great Picture

Best Uses:

Home, Movies, TV

Describe Yourself:

Practical

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

Having a HD reciever makes a huge difference in my T.V. and movie watching experience. This reciever is inexpensive and works great so far plus I own it instead of just leasing it!

Better box than H20

By Valley of Decision

from Marietta, OH on 1/18/2008

How long have you owned it:

One-to-three months

Pros:

Attractive Design, Easy To Set Up, Runs Cooler, Smaller Foot Print, Stylish Unit

Cons:

None as of yet

Best Uses:

Home, TV

Describe Yourself:

Practical, Professional, Tech Savvy

Bottom Line:

Comments about DIRECTV DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver:

This is a non-DVR unit, that will replace the H20. So far so good. The unit runs cooler than the H20 does and it has a slightly smaller foot print. So for a Non-DVR box I think it is a step up from the H20. Please note it does NOT handle Over-the-Air reception like the H20. If you have an external antenna that you want to feed into your system then try to find an H20 or a HR20.

Customer Reviews about the DIRECTV Black Digital Satellite HD Receiver at Abt Electronics