Since it launched, I’ve been using Foxtel’s iQ2, and I’ve been happy. But for the past few weeks I’ve been playing around with a TiVo – in particular the new(ish) CASPA service, and I have to say that I’m really impressed.
I’m planning on writing about this in more detail over the next few weeks, but needless to say that the idea of video on demand is really appealing. And the TiVo UI is spectacularly simple. If it weren’t for The Daily Show being Pay TV only (I don’t want to watch TV on my laptop, sorry), I’d even be tempted to shift over.
But what I’m wondering today is what DVR has captured the hearts of Gizmodians around the country? Do you use an iQ? A TiVo? Or another brand, like Beyonwiz? Or do you just use one of the big brand names, like Sony or Panasonic’s DVR hardware?
Let us know in comments.
D
February 22, 2010 at 4:05 PM
Beyonwiz
Report PermalinkGavin
February 22, 2010 at 11:42 PM
These are great HD PVR’s. Got myself a DP-P2 (Not the crippled freeview ones). Love the ad skip features and network media player capabilities. With Ice TV I can set recordings from my phone or at work on the net. Love mine to bits (please don’t break!).
Report PermalinkDanny James
August 4, 2010 at 1:30 PM
I used the original Tivo in the UK hooked up to my Sky box – brought it to Australia when I moved but to use it had to have it hacked so got rid of it.
Report PermalinkOut of all of the PVR’s I’ve used, Tivo has to be by far the best – I’m just surprised that Foxtel don’t have some of the Tivo search/program features like searching for shows etc.
Plus the Tivo now is networkable so you can hook it up to your Mac and burn stuff you’ve recorded with Toast – i’m still trying to find a way of doing that with my IQ2.
Cheers
Dan
Rowan
February 22, 2010 at 4:09 PM
I had foxtel IQ2 and it was brilliant except for the price tag per month for the complete package including HD channels.
I’ve tried LG PVRs, windows media centre, etc etc and nothing came even REMOTELY close to the usability of the IQ2 interface+remote.
Sure, there were issues that arose (how about using the 1080P resolution for the TV guide!!!) but all in all, I have yet to see anything challenge it.
Unfortunately, I had to give up that subscription and have been hating life ever since!
Report PermalinkBern
February 22, 2010 at 4:09 PM
I use a DigiCrystal one I bought about 6 years ago. It does everything I need, the only thing is I wish the HDD was bigger than 80GB. But maybe if I actually *watched* some TV then I could get rid of those recordings… :-)
Sure, it’s not HD, but then, I only got a HD-capable TV a month ago, so that hasn’t been an issue previously. Now I might build myself a HTPC to replace it.
Report PermalinkEd
February 22, 2010 at 4:21 PM
Hi,
I am using Windows 7 Media center, which I think is the middle of the line in terms of features vs usability compared to other software solutions.
I myself found hardware dvr lacking in customisation (downloaded movies, trailers, and other customisations). Not to mention extender capabilities (like another foxtel box for your other bedroom)
Report PermalinkJimothy
February 22, 2010 at 4:28 PM
I currently have two Panasonic Blu-ray DVRs. Although a little on the expensive side (~$1000 for the DMR-BW750), I’ve been very impressed with the features of it.
I’ve only used Windows Media center before that so my DVR experience is not extensive and cannot comment on other systems, however some of the good features the Panasonic has are:
- USB input (with DIVX playback)
- Intuitive menu system (It plays back the recordings within the menu system so you can see the start of the episodes)
- Multiple views for the recording menu. (If you want too see if by category/channel/time, you can change the axis)
- One remote use (If you have a Panasonic TV and HDMI to your DVR you can use the TV remote or the recorder remote to do everything you want. Pretty sure the Sony’s and other major manufacturers have this feature too).
Some of the negatives
- It takes about +1min to start up. So if you need to record something instantly, your going to miss the first 1min or so.
- Different quality recording types. The panasonic has about +5 recording quality types, ranging from VHS to HD quality. I’ve read the manual and i’m still not sure what is the best for what I need, so I just left it on HD and delete anything thats old and I don’t want to keep.
Look forward to your reviews.
Report PermalinkGrant Burton
February 22, 2010 at 4:28 PM
I use both a FOXTEL IQ and a Topfield.
The FOXTEL is brilliant, but not worth the money per month they are charging. I am about to cancel my foxtel and get a TIVO. As my old topfiled is 6 years old and only records SD channels.
Report PermalinkJordan
February 22, 2010 at 4:38 PM
Windows 7 MC
Report PermalinkAndrew
February 22, 2010 at 4:40 PM
I use Foxtel IQ2 and it is awesome. I havent turned on my Windows Media Centre in almost 3 months! Yes it is expensive but the good things in life aren’t free!
Report PermalinkMDolley
February 22, 2010 at 4:42 PM
Windows Media Center (Windows 7). At the moment I only have a single HD tuner, but I do plan on getting a twin HD one at some point. One thing I like about WMC is that I spend most of my time at home on the computer… I can watch live/recorded TV in between Gizmodo articles. The biggest advantage is that I have a 360 connected to the TV in my lounge room and set up as a Media Center Extender. It’s a fantastic setup and incredibly easy to use.
Report PermalinkJoe S
February 22, 2010 at 4:46 PM
Alas the poor VHS – the simplisitc design, the cheapness and the ambiguous delivery. It was so basic, so simple and it changed the way we watched TV. You bought it. Pluged it in. You were done. So what happened ? the cost has sky rocketed and to simply record TV ? Folks, the average mum and dad now need “foxtel” or Tivo”. what happend to the cheap plug in and record device we all seem to want ? thanks digital…
Report Permalinkblontic
February 22, 2010 at 4:46 PM
I use my win7 mediacenter. Plays everything and the interface is awesome. Paired that up with http://www.mediabrowser.tv/ and I stream all my movies from my unraid server.
Has a really high WAF.
Report PermalinkIan
February 22, 2010 at 4:48 PM
We use eyeTV on a macbook, with PyeTV installed to get access to recorded shows through FrontRow.
This was set up as a temp. solution while we found a DVR we liked. Unfortunately, it works so well that I have been without a laptop for 18 months…
Report PermalinkCraig Baldie
February 22, 2010 at 4:49 PM
Topfield 7100 & IceTV. Has been a pretty good unit over a year and a half. Some firmware issues early on but they are mostly sorted out now.
Report PermalinkI couldn’t live without IceTV – makes programming and scheduling a breeze
Shane
February 22, 2010 at 4:51 PM
I use my mac mini…when I can be bothered to remember…
Need’s better automation for converting the content for my ATV and importing into the XBMC install
Report PermalinkChris Lowe
February 22, 2010 at 4:54 PM
TiVo
Report PermalinkI’ve had tivo for about a year and it has absolutely changed my viewing habits – no more ads.
I’ll wait until the show finishes and watch it.
The interface is so easy the kids use it, it’s HD and all.
It records everything you can think of – even stuff you don’t think of…
The only really frustrating part – and it isn’t Tivo’s fault is the damn stations running their “schedules” correctly – for goodness sake if the show finishes at 8:30 then finish it at 8:30 not 8:40 grrrrr.
The other frustration – which is Tivo’s fault is that because of the above we always use the extended setting, consequently Tivo wants to use the other tuner to record a show on the same channel as the one that goes overtime – it needs to recognise that the shows follow each other and just record from the end of the old show not try to change the other tuner and make us miss the end of the show we are watching..
Of course they could just addd another tuner!
Daniel
February 22, 2010 at 4:57 PM
A non-Freeview Topfield – aka the best money I ever spent. Also IceTV subscription.
Forget the rest.
Report Permalinkscott
February 22, 2010 at 4:58 PM
TVIX – Great Little box – free TV guide – and you insert you own size hard drive. Networkable so you can attach a NAS or even a USB harddrive HOWEVER have yet to work out how to transfer the recorded file format back to my NAS for keeping
Report PermalinkTrevor
February 22, 2010 at 5:29 PM
TiVo – with the 1TB drive add-on. Super easy to use. Remote programming over the web or iPhone. No subscription costs!! Love it
Report Permalinknicholas
February 22, 2010 at 5:37 PM
Topfield TF7000 HD
it plays all my ‘downloaded’ mkv/xvid
Love it
Report PermalinkPaul McManus
February 22, 2010 at 5:45 PM
PS3 with PlayTV handles all my DVR/media playing needs.
Report Permalinkmoggyx
February 22, 2010 at 5:50 PM
I used to use a Humax but due to a blown up tele, I switched to Media Centre and since upgrading to Windows 7, I am sold on my PC also being a DVR. I am planning on buying a replacement tele and still using my Media Centre.
Report PermalinkAside from the Networks not sticking to the EPG times, it has been a perfect solution for me. For anyone who hasn’t given Windows 7 media centre a crack yet, give it a try… you’ll love it!
NJB
February 22, 2010 at 5:55 PM
I use Beyonwiz great units
Report PermalinkRobert
February 22, 2010 at 5:56 PM
I have a TiVO HD, and before that had an imported Series 1 TiVo hacked for Australia.
There is one key selling factor for TiVo which has led to many friends purchasing one as well – extremely high “Signifcant Other” approval factor – its totally easy to use and very reliable even for the non tech minded of the family, plus it doesn’t cost any more than comparable DVRs on the market.
PS: you can upgrade the HDD yourself really really easily and for much less than the “official” WD add on drive! 160 or 320 gig for a dual tuner HD recorder is pathetic… you need an upgrade.
Report PermalinkIan
February 22, 2010 at 6:07 PM
3.5 year old Topfield TF5000PVRt Masterpiece.
It does the job but is standard def – not a big issue though on my 32″ TV.
I had to replace 5 capacitors on it recently as it was crashing but that repair cost me all of ~$10 including the petrol to Jaycar to get the parts. Fortunately, there were instructions online to tell me what to do – otherwise, I would’ve just bought a new one.
All in all, a reasonable piece of kit for it’s age.
Report PermalinkMarcus
February 22, 2010 at 7:14 PM
Over the years I have used DVR’s from Strong, Topfield and Foxtel. The Tivo is by far the best of the lot. When you add the 1 TB drive and a PC streaming connection it becomes even more useful. Why? The ease of use, the season pass and the wish lists. I always have over a hundred shows ready to watch that are updated every day (I record EVERY movie) Oh – and the reliability.
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