DVRs - Digital Video Recorders: Reviews

Though not as sophisticated as TiVo, a DVR from a cable provider still offers good performance and is the least expensive solution for most cable subscribers. Though models vary by provider, most cable DVRs will record 40… to 80 hours of standard-definition programs (half as much for high-definition programs). They are able to pause, rewind and fast-forward live television and skip commercials. Most also have dual tuners for recording two shows at once. Because you're renting the DVR, you can usually upgrade to your cable provider's latest technology at no cost. Comcast offers DVRs with TiVo software, but user reports say that performance is disappointing.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

Experts agree that you can't beat TiVo's simplicity and ease of use, which is why TiVo retains a loyal fan base despite growing competition from cable and satellite providers. Plus, TiVo offers a lot of cool features that… aren't available from other DVRs, among them a Wish List function that automatically records programs based on your preferences. In addition to the hardware, you also have to subscribe to the TiVo service ($12.95 monthly to $300 for the life of the DVR). The Series2 DT has dual tuners and works with cable or satellite -- but it's standard-definition only. Also, its second tuner is limited to analog cable, and the DVR can't record broadcast signals at all.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

Though it does not have the capacity of the much more expensive TiVo HD XL (*est. $600), critics say that this TiVo HD DVR has the same features, including dual tuners, high-definition recording, Ethernet networking and… the ability to download or stream content from Amazon.com, Netflix and other services. You can record about 20 hours of high-definition and 180 hours of standard-definition programming. The TiVo HD is designed to work with digital cable but relies on CableCards, which you must rent at additional cost from your cable provider ($2 to $5 each per month).

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

Although the DirecTV Plus HD had a rocky debut, critics say the latest version is now a stable, reliable and very capable DVR. Though it lacks some of the polish of TiVo, reports say the user interface has some great… features of its own, including faster response times than TiVo. This DVR has dual satellite tuners and can record two programs simultaneously. Other features include pause/fast forward and instant replay of live TV. In addition, you can search program listings by keyword, actor or director. A season-pass feature lets you record a TV show whenever it's on. Recording times are 200 hours for standard definition and up to 50 hours for HD.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse

As with DirecTV, Dish Network offers subscribers a very capable high-definition DVR. This three-tuner DVR can record up to three HD channels (two satellite and one broadcast) at once. Recording quality is excellent and… indistinguishable from the original broadcast. Independent tuner outputs let you feed separate programs to two different TVs. Record, playback and search functions are good, and commercial skip is included. You can record up to 55 hours of HD and 350 hours of SD programming.

See more photos, specs, and reviews

expand

collapse