EmailBest Reviewed
DVRs - Digital Video Recorders
- Integrated cable box/DVR Cable company DVR *Est. $8
- Standard-definition TiVo DVR TiVo Series2 DT *Est. $145
- High-definition TiVo DVR TiVo HD *Est. $230
- DirecTV HD satellite receiver and DVR DirecTV Plus HD DVR *Est. $190
- Dish Network HD satellite receiver and DVR Dish Network ViP722 *Est. $0
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Standard-definition TiVo DVR
- Sleek interface
- Easy to use
- Dual tuners
- Can be used with satellite TV
- Second tuner limited to analog cable
- No over-the-air tuner
- More expensive initially than cable company DVRs
- Standard definition only
We found great expert reviews of the TiVo Series2 DT at CNet.com and PC Magazine. Both cover the ins and outs of the DVR in plenty of detail, but not so much as to overwhelm the reader. About.com's report, on the other hand, offers only a one-paragraph summary. User feedback can be found in lots places, including Amazon.com and Epinions.com.
TiVo DVRs have earned a loyal following thanks to their innovative features and ease of use. The Series2 DT is currently TiVo's most basic DVR, and it's standard-definition only, but it has most of the bells and whistles that TiVo is known for, including programming functions like Wish List, which hunts for and records programs based on a genre, actor or keyword. The Series2 DT works in conjunction with a cable or satellite box, so no CableCard is provided. It includes dual tuners, but the utility of the second tuner is limited because it can only record non-encrypted, non-digital cable TV, and it even lacks the ability to record TV off the air. The 80 hours of standard-definition recording capacity isn't the most generous around, but it should be more than enough for most users. Cable TV subscribers should also consider DVRs (*est. $8 to $20 per month) offered by their service providers. While those DVRs aren't as spiffy, they are also less expensive as there's no upfront cost.
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Our Sources
1. CNET
This is the best review of the TiVo Series2 DT that we found. The report is long, well-illustrated and comprehensive. The limited usefulness of the second tuner is a major negative.
Review: TiVo Series2 DT (80-hours) Review, John P. Falcone, Apr. 25, 2006
Though not quite as detailed as the report at CNet.com, this review does a good job assessing the TiVo Series2 DT's strengths and weaknesses. Ben Patterson says that while the DVR's tuner setup isn't perfect, "it's still one of the most impressive and easiest-to-use DVRs on the market."
Review: TiVo Series2 DT DVR, Ben Patterson, June 23, 2006
3. Amazon.com
Amazon.com gets lots of traffic, making it a good destination for reading user opinions about the TiVo Series2 DT DVR. More than 100 customers have weighed in at last look. Most are happy, but a few discouraging words are spread here and there.
Review: TiVo TCD649080 Series2 80-Hour Dual-Tuner Digital Video Recorder Reviews, Contributors to Amazon.com
4. About.com
While the TiVo Series2 DT is included in this list of top DVRs, the one-paragraph description provides little insight. Tellingly, the biggest liability -- the limited usefulness of the second tuner -- is not mentioned at all. (Note: ConsumerSearch is owned by About.com, but the two don't share an editorial affiliation.)
Review: Top 10 Digital Video Recorders (DVR), Sal Prince
