Being an early adapter to new technology has many benefits. You get to test the latest gadgets available in the market and boast to your friends how much spare cash you have. However, this practice also has its consequences. Manufacturers typically release updated better versions of products after a few months. This case can also be applied to those that jumped early on the HDTV bandwagon.

When HDTV was introduced a couple of years ago, you needed a receiver and an HDTV-ready TV to make it work. However, with HDTV become more popular, as more consumers are entering the market, manufactures wised up and introduced new products that combined the capabilities of the two separate gadgets.

Many HDTV's now have built-in tuners that eliminated the need to buy a receiver. For cheapskates that still purchased "only" HDTV-ready TV's there is still hope in making up for your mistake. A number of manufacturers still rollout separate high-quality receivers.

Here some of the best selling HDTV receivers in the market.

Samsung's SIR-T451

The Samsung SIR-T451 HDTV receiver reproduces free-to-are High Definition broadcasts in crystal clear form. Almost all of households across the US can receive one digital TV signal and approximately 85% can access five stations or more.

Specifications:

" decodes all free-to-air HDTV/SDTV formats " RGB output - D-sub 15-pin connector " optical and coaxial digital audio outputs for Dolby(r) Digital " multibrand remote control " single RF input " DVI digital video output with HDCP copy protection " customizable output resolution (1080i/720p/480p/480i) " Electronic Program Guide " Supports S-video, composite and 1080i/720p/480p component video " 13-7/8"W x 2-11/16"H x 10-1/2"D " 1 year parts & labor warranty

DIRECTV H20 HDTV receiver

The DIRECTV H20 HDTV receiver will ensure that viewers have an enjoyable time watching broadcasts. This receiver can be hooked up with a HD-compatible antenna to watch shows from free-to-air or local channels.

Specifications:

" 2 sets audio/video outputs (2 composite, 1 S-video, 1 component video, 1 " RF/IR multibrand audio/video remote (controls up to four components) " includes component video, S-video, and RCA audio/video cables " selectable 480i/480p/720p/1080i output via HDMI and component video " receives digital TV broadcasts in 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i HDMI) " optical digital audio output passes Dolby(r) Digital audio " 1 set of USB interface for future use " phone jack " built-in ATSC tuner " searchable 7-day program guide " on-screen caller ID " antenna and satellite inputs " supports MPEG4 " 14-15/16"W x 2-13/16"H x 10-13/16"D " warranty: 90 days

DIRECTV HR10-250 receiver

The DIRECTV HR10-250 HDTV receiver is a reliable product that will provide long hours of enjoyment for HDTV enthusiasts. The HR10-250 receives and decodes digital signals from the company's high-resolution broadcasts. This receiver also has a built-in hard drive digital video recorder.

High-definition broadcasts features pictures rich in detail and surround sound that fills an entire room. Just hook up the '250 HDTV receiver to any HD-ready TV and home audio system, and experience home entertainment at its best.

Specifications:

" HDTV DIRECTV tuner - receives and decodes digital HDTV signals from DIRECTV's satellite broadcasts and local free-to-air broadcasts with the use of a compatible antenna. " can record up to 200 hours of standard-definition digital TV with its built-in hard disk digital video recorder and up to 30 hours of HDTV " receives digital TV broadcasts in 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i " manual timer recording by channel and time " 1 antenna input and 2 satellite inputs " WishList(tm) keyword search of program listings " Season Pass(tm) " 1 set audio/video outputs (composite, S-video, component video, HDMI) " TiVo 14-day interactive program guide " selectable 480i/480p/720p/1080i output via HDMI and component video " dual ATSC tuners " Thumbs Up/Thumbs Down buttons - ratings system from TiVo " optical digital audio outputs pass Dolby(r) Digital 5.1-channel audio " phone jack " remote control (multibrand for TVs and A/V receivers) " can record two shows simultaneously " 2 USB interfaces for future use " HDMI, HDMI-to-DVI, component video, S-video, composite video, and telephone cables " 15-1/8"W x 3-5/16"H x 13-7/8"D " 1 year warranty