DirecTV’s new HD DVR reviewed
OK, I have serious gadget lust. As much as I love the interface of the DirecTiVo HD box, it has too many flaws. No local HDTV, horrible lags (sometimes more than minute) when saving changes, no folders or multi-room features like Series 2 TiVos…
So I was thrilled when PVRWire provided a link to Earl Bonovich’s review of the new DirecTV HD DVR at DBSTalk. I first wrote about this last October, when it was just a rumor. The review format is a strange one, chopped into a series of forum posts with pictures available only via links. But it’s loaded with information from someone who has clearly spent time with this product.
Some details:
Here is a brief summary of the HR20 features
- High Definition TV Output (via HDMI and Component)
- 2 Sets of RCA (Red/White/Yellow Outputs) – 1 S-Video
- 1 Optical Digital Output
- Dual SAT Tuners
- Dual ATSC Tuners (functionality is disabled at this time, see notes later in the review)
- Wired RJ-45 Ethernet Port
- External SATA Connection
- 300gb SATA Internal Hard Drive
- RF Remote Compatible with the Included RC24, and the soon to be released RC32RF
Estimated Recording Space (Not a cumulative value)
- ~ 30 Hours of MPEG-2 (OTA) HD
- ~ 50 Hours of MPEG-4 HD
- ~ 200 Hours of Standard Definition (SD)
Unit was manufactured by PACE
The Official Model Number: HR20-700
I could have used more direct descriptions and comparisons of the interface, which after all is the TiVo’s big strength. But the existence of an external SATA connector is a huge plus.
If you’re looking for a DirecTiVo HR10-250 recorder, something tells me I’ll have one for sale real soon.