RTV-3030C Review
Written: Nov 16 '01 (Updated Jan 21 '02)
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Pros: No Monthly Fee, MyReplayTv.com, Compatible w/ different setups
Cons: No Dolby Digital, Connectivity Problems, No Fan, Sensitive Software
The Bottom Line: This is a great concept...on the cheap these days. To bad the software is not up to snuff yet (1-7-2002)
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| daperlman's Full Review: SONICblue ReplayTV 3000 Series ShowStopper Digital... |
---------Comments 1/21/02------------------
Problem below has fixed itself for the time being. Since I have done some re-wiring for Direct TV in the house, this unit has become obselete.
---------End Comments 1/21/02--------------
--------- Comments 1/7/2002 -----------
I have now had this unit for a few months and my opinion of it grows more negative. Recently I have had the problem of the channel lineup resetting itself. This is a big deal because this screws up the database, which screws up recording, let alone changing channels. I have emailed and called support several times and cannot get through.
The remote has always sucked and as I state below Tivo's software is far superior and more stable. Since the below review I have used myreplaytv.com and that is great. If you travel you can control the unit from the internet. For instance you forget to tape COPS you tell it to (must be occurring next day) and the command will be programmed into your RTV unit the next time it calls the replay server (overnight). But that hardly makes up for the unit's failures.
----------- End Comments -----------
-----Orginal Review Starts Here---------
When looking at DVR's one has a few choices; TIVO, DISH PVR501, Ultimate TV, or Replay TV. For the most part Tivo is really for Direct TV, so having Dish Network limited my choices of Tivo hardware. Ultimate was out of the question with Dish, and I have the PVR501 (see my review on this). So it was really between Tivo and Replay.
What it does
Replay like Tivo, allows a user to pause or rewind (for as long as it has been on) live TV. Also, like Tivo it downloads several days of info (this model downloads 1 week of info) and uses that database to do some incredible things. Such as searching keywords, actors, titles, directors...etc. Also like Tivo, you can store query and create channels. For example, I told it tape anything with Police Chase in the title, and reserve one hour for this channel. Unlike Tivo, MyReplayTv gives one the ability to do these things via the web (haven't tried this yet). Another advantage over Tivo is the programming being included in the cost of the Hardware. These players retail for $500, but you can get new or used for $300. Since I had Dish network, I had to get one that rode along with my Dish tuner (as opposed to a standalone like PVR501 or Phillips DSR6000 serve as a receiver for satellite provider), this is good and bad. It is good because I can get rid of Dish and use this receiver with another service, or I can use with Dish and another service simultaneously.
What it doesn't...do
I said that not being a stand alone was good and bad. Here is the bad. When you change channels on the RTV receiver (as you should) you are really moving up or down in this week's database on the Replay machine, while at the same time changing the channel on your cable receiver (in my case a Dish301). How does it do this? In my case it uses an IR Blaster to try to sync the signals b/t info (exists on Rtv receiver) and signal (Exists on Dish receiver). This process is far from perfect. Some times the screen will go black (as if you are between channels) and then display old channel for a moment b/f finding new channel. Perhaps this occurs with Tivo joint systems also, I am not sure. What I can tell you is that the standalone is much smoother. Both Tivo and Replay seem to overlook Dolby Digital outputs. While the Dish receiver has a co-axial (out to tv output) the RTV3030 does not. This is a detriment to me, because that co-axial output is back wired to next room. So that signal from the Dish receiver is slightly ahead of the RTV output in the living room (problem is solved with an RF-Modulator). This unit lacks a cooling fan. As of yet my unit has not overheated, but what the heck were they thinking? Perhaps the most disappointing shortcoming of this unit is the lack of dual tuners. This prevents the user from watching one thing on live tv, while taping another.
Additional Notes - Stuff worth mentioning
Some people prefer Replay to Tivo, and some prefer Tivo. I suppose it is simply at matter of epinion...(get it...is this thing on?). Anyhow, in my opinion Tivo developers did a much better job. For one thing Tivo monitors your viewing habits and tapes things for you based on taste. Some people consider this an invasion of privacy, but I prefer it. Additionally the newest Tivo has more options for choosing what you watch, for instance the search plugs in the string as you type...whereas Replay makes you press enter in an "all or nothing" query. Replay Software will crash if you press too many buttons too quickly. Replay was bought by SonicBlue recently, and they are much more experienced in the software arena. Look for great things to come out of them in the future, if they can survive.
Recommended:
No
Amount Paid (US$): 325
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Epinions.com ID:
daperlman
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Reviews written: 51
Trusted by: 7 members
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Mission: Find recipe for Nabisco Space Foodsticks. Foil conspiracy responsible for disappearance of Foodsticks.
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