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You Can't Go Wrong -- But Weigh These Options:Feb 28 '01 Write an essay on this topic.
Popular Products in TV Receivers and DVRs
The Bottom Line No wrong decision, but there are definite things you should and shouldn't do when buying a ReplayTV/TiVo.
You can't really make a mistake purchasing a DNR/PVR (Digital Network Recorder/Personal Video Recorder). These devices comprise (arguably) the biggest advance in home entertainment since the VCR. Perhaps even since TV itself. Okay, okay, these things don't do everything, but they're pretty fabulous. The additional control you have over TV-watching hasn't been overstated in the press or marketing you've surely read, and the ease-of-use is remarkable. That said, here are the things to consider when purchasing a DNR/PVR: Select your service. Your two options are TiVo and ReplayTV. TiVo allows you to subscribe to its service monthly ($10/month), yearly ($99/year), or lifetime ($200/forever), whereas ReplayTV's lifetime subscription is included in a device's retail price (about $200). This is why ReplayTV devices are considerably more expensive than a similarly-equipped TiVo device. Note: the "lifetime" subscription is not for your lifetime, but the lifetime of the specific device you register (true with both plans). So if you pay for a lifetime subscription and later upgrade to a new device, you'll have to pay for service for that new (or additional) DNR. Since the $10/month for TiVO is relatively inexpensive (and thus requires less start-up cash), I opted for that from TiVo. Although I'll continue paying after 20 months, it allows me to hedge my bets against which service will ultimately prevail. Besides the subscription pricing, the only other major difference between ReplayTV and TiVo is the oft-mentioned "30-second skip" button featured on ReplayTV remote controls. This allows you to jump ahead 30 seconds, entirely skipping unwanted commercials (with just a few clicks, you're back at the program). Although this is a nice feature, TiVo's three-speed fast-forward works nearly as well (it includes a built-in correction feature that jumps back a few seconds after you fast-forward, because you likely missed the first few seconds of the program you want to see). The fast-forwarding is, well, fast (just a few seconds to speed through a commercial break), and it allows you to glimpse what you're missing. Maybe you want to see a particular commercial or exploitative evening news update... In short, the lack of a 30-second skip isn't a deal-breaker for TiVo. The menus, guides, and other navigation features are nearly the same in both devices, and neither takes the prize in terms of the best design. TiVo is slightly more user-friendly (and perhaps annoying to those techies who prefer shortcuts and direct commands) than ReplayTV, but half a dozen of one, twelve of the other... Recording quality is virtually the same in both (ReplayTV has five quality levels, TiVo four). However, TiVo does not degrade sound quality as you reduce picture quality, while ReplayTV does degrade sound at lower recording levels. One nice feature of the TiVo is the concept of "TiVo Suggestions." Here, based on preferences you select (while watching TV) and shows you record, TiVo automatically records shows it thinks you will like. This gets better over time, as you tell TiVo exactly what you like and hate. A nice feature, and only available on the TiVo. Finally, if you have or are getting DirecTV, you should almost definitely opt for the DirecTiVo unit. This is a special device that combines both components, and records the digital stream (instead of the MPEG video) from the DirecTV. Very nice, very usable, and a no-brainer. Select your device and storage Once you've made a service decision, you have to grab the actual hardware. Note that neither TiVo nor ReplayTV actually make the boxes that sit atop (or under) your TV. They simply provide the software and service for equipment (computers, really) built by Sony, Panasonic, etc. Again, no major differences between components here (yet), except for the amount of time (storage capacity) available. There is a sizable price difference between low-end (30-hour) and high-end (90-hour) devices; quality-wise, any of the makers is currently fine (and the Sony TiVo, unless you've a Wega and want to match silver to silver, isn't any better or worse than the Panasonic) Note that these recording times are based on the lowest level of recording quality, which is often unusable. For example, at Best quality, the 30-hour device really has only 9 hours of free space. Fear not, however. Unless you're using your device to store an entire season of "Friends" or you watch a ton of TV, you'll never run out of room. Simply delete what you've already seen (or save your special favorites, if you like, and dump to VCR occasionally) and you'll never get close, even at the highest settings. Furthermore, the "Medium" recording level (second from worst) on the TiVo shows almost no degradation, and that's 20 hours of recording time. Again, unless you are television fiend, and tape more than you watch, don't shell out the extra cash for 30 or 60 more hours. You can't go wrong with any of these devices. Hope you find that to be true when you make your selection.  |
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