Satellite DVRs

DVR options for satellite subscribers

While the standard-definition TiVo Series2 DT will work with satellite-TV systems, subscribers who want HD capability must use satellite receivers with built-in DVRs designed specifically for the satellite system to which they subscribe. According to reviews, neither of the satellite companies' HD offerings approaches the TiVo interface in terms of usability.

Of the two, Dish Network's DVRs get the lion's share of positive recognition. The Dish Network ViP722 (price varies by plan) provides a relatively generous 55 hours of HD and 350 hours of SD programming. It includes dual HD satellite tuners and an ATSC (digital) tuner for broadcast TV, including HDTV. This means that the DVR can record up to three high-definition channels at once (two over satellite and one broadcast), and you can watch a previously recorded program at the same time.

The Dish Network ViP722 can also send signals from each tuner to separate TVs, allowing different live programs to be viewed on different sets at the same time. This can eliminate the need for a satellite receiver on a second TV (in satellite-TV systems, a satellite receiver is usually needed for each set). In addition to the standard infrared remote control, Dish helpfully includes an radio-frequency remote control that can operate through walls just for that purpose.

The electronic programming guide gives you programming information for nine days (TiVo gives you two weeks). The Dish Network DVR has a Season Pass feature, which lets you record an entire season of a show or sporting event. You can also search by keyword, actor or director. However, unlike TiVo, the Dish Network DVR can't search by user preferences, and it won't suggest shows based on your viewing habits. Editors at CNet.com, PC Magazine and elsewhere give the Dish Network ViP722 high grades.

While the ability to record up to 55 hours of high-definition programming puts the Dish Network ViP722 at the top of the pile in that regard, if you need even more storage capacity, the DVR has a USB port and can offload programming to supported external hard drives. However, Dish Network charges a one-time enabling fee (*est. $40) if you want to use that feature.

Reviewers prefer the TiVo interface but say the Dish Network ViP722 is still very good. There's also a step-down Dish Network DVR, the ViP612 (price varies by plan), which eliminates the ability to send programming to other TVs and has less storage capacity (30 hours HD or 200 hours SD) but is otherwise similar.

If you aren't interested in recording high-definition shows, the Dish Network DVR-625 (price varies by plan) is a dual-tuner SD DVR/receiver. The user interface is similar to the one used in the ViP612/ViP722, and it can record up to 100 hours of SD programming. Like the ViP722, the DVR-625 is capable of providing programming for two separate TVs simultaneously. The TiVo Series2 DT can also be used to record standard-definition Dish Network programming.

Dish Network has a somewhat confusing pricing structure. First-time customers get the best deal and can opt for one rented Dish Network HD ViP722 or SD DVR-625 for no equipment cost with a 24-month commitment. Additional DVRs can be added, but they do incur a fee. Things are a little trickier for existing customers, and vary by the DVR selected. And reports in user forums indicate that some negotiation may be needed to land the best deals. DVR fees and lease fees also vary by programming package and are sometimes affected by promotions.

If you're a DirecTV subscriber, the DirecTV Plus HD DVR (*Est. $190 plus monthly fees) is an option; new subscribers can generally get it for free with a two-year commitment. The HD DVR is the company's high-definition, multi-tuner DVR. Like Dish Network, DirecTV only leases its equipment. While the DVR is available at retailers like Amazon.com, as well as from DirecTV, regardless of where you get it, the DVR is leased, and the upfront cost is a non-refundable upgrade charge. Rebates are often available, however. At the time of this update, DirecTV was offering a $200 rebate for the first HD DVR on an account for new subscribers. A DVR service fee (*est. $6) is also charged, which varies slightly by level of service. There is also a monthly lease fee (*est. $5), which is waived for the first receiver on the account.

The DirecTV Plus HD DVR lacks some features found in the Dish Network ViP722. You can record two high-definition channels and watch a pre-recorded program at the same time. However, while the original HR20-700 DirecTV Plus HD DVR included an ATSC tuner for broadcast signals, that's been eliminated in later upgrades, including the just-released HR23-700. You can add an external hard drive via an eSATA interface, but it acts as a replacement for the DVR's internal drive, and you cannot transfer programs from one drive to another. The main benefit of this feature is for users who want to add a larger hard drive for more storage capacity. Unlike the Dish Network ViP722, the DirecTV Plus HD DVR can't output different programs to different TVs. Although all of the outputs on the DVR are active at the same time, all output the same program.

The DirecTV Plus HD DVR has a two-week programming guide with the ability to search and create Season Pass recording, and you can create two favorite-channel lists. It can record up to 50 hours of high-definition programming or up to 200 hours of standard-definition fare. Recording quality is excellent.

A couple of unique features include one-button recording, which works as advertised. The included RF remote lets you control the box without being totally in line of sight -- a nice feature if you want to stash the DVR in a cabinet. Reports say the interface is simple and fast.

The biggest improvement in this latest DirecTV Plus HD DVR is that converters that are needed for some DirecTV HD channels are now incorporated inside the box, making installation cleaner and easer than earlier versions. Otherwise not much has changed from the older HR22-700, which is still widely available.

By most accounts, the DirecTV Plus HD DVR was a mess when first released, and that's reflected in the majority of professional reviews, because most have not been updated since then. In the interim, DirecTV has pushed a ton of software upgrades that have greatly improved things. While issues still crop up, many users report that the DirecTV Plus HD is now a very good HD DVR.

DirecTV also offers the standard-definition DirecTV Plus DVR (*Est. $100), which is usually free for new subscribers. Like the DirecTV Plus HD, it can be obtained from retailers or DirecTV. In either case, the receiver is a lease, not a purchase, and the upfront cost is not refundable. The same lease and DVR service fees apply. The current version (R22) uses the same software as the high-definition DirecTV Plus DVR (earlier versions used their own software), so the same comments apply. The TiVo Series2 DT is an alternative for DirecTV users with no interest in HD programming. However, while the Series2 DT has a nicer interface and additional features, you do lose the full benefit of the dual tuners found in the DirecTV Plus DVR.