Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I don't want to go through all of Tivo's features, but they really are amazing, and aren't over hyped at all. This Humax unit has all of those features, plus a DVD-RW drive perfectly integrated into the rest of the Tivo interface. Burning a DVD is as easy as sticking a disk in the drive and selecting from a list which shows you want to transfer to DVD. Every show has a percent listed after the name, indicating how much of a DVD the show will fill up, and the top of the screen indicates how much space is left on the disc. There are no editing features on this, or any other Tivo based DVD-Recorder. If you pick a show to copy to DVD, it copies all of it.
While the disc is burning, the unit can still record another show and playback any show (except for any show being written to the disc).
I'm not 100% sure I like the image quality on this unit as much as on a standalone Tivo. I think it's slightly different, as the format it's writing has to be compatible with DVD players (obviously), whereas the "normal" Tivo format could be slightly more tweaked.
The remote is a slightly improved version of the normal Tivo "peanut" remote. The thumbs up/down buttons have been shrunk slightly (makes sense), and a few things have been slightly altered to allow for the new features this unit has.
Oh, I guess it's worth mentioning that ALL Tivo units don't really give as much recording time as they say on the box. This is an "80 hour" unit, which really means 80 hours at the "Basic" quality level, which is pretty poor (might be useable for news shows, stuff like Charlie Rose, etc., but it's not good enough for anything with much movement). Above that is "Medium" quality which gives about 55 hours recording time, and is also pretty bad. "High" quality gives about 27 hours, and is significantly better, as is "Best", which yields only 18 hours. Of course you can set up different shows to use different qualities-mix and match on both the hard drive and on DVDs, though you'll probably use "High" for most shows.
Pros:
*EXCELLENT interface, both for watching/recording TV shows, and for burning them to TV. I'm almost 100% certain there's nothing on the market that's easier to use. Unlike other DVD recorders or PVRs, this unit (and Tivo units in general) explain what's going on, and what different options mean IN ENGLISH, on your TV.
*The front screen displays the time if you want it (normal Tivos don't), and tells you what percent of the DVD has been burned if you're recording one.
*While you're burning a DVD the unit continues to record any scheduled shows, and you can watch any previously recorded shows. So the unit can actually be doing three things at once, all with no effort from the user-recording to DVD, recording a show from TV, and playing back a show. (The exception being you can't watch a show while it's being recorded to DVD).
Cons:
*This Humax, like *ALL* Tivo and ReplayTV units runs 24 hours a day. There's no true "off" or standby mode. Although it's quiet, this could be an issue if you plan to put it (or any Tivo/Replay unit) in a bedroom.
*Image quality appears to be different, possibly worse than stand alone Tivo units-probably to facilitate compatibility with other DVD players. I'm not even sure if I like it as well as the Sony VCR I bought this to replace.
*DVD-RW drive can use DVD-RW 4x media, but it only records to them at around 1x. That means that a full disc takes a little under an hour to burn. (But keep in mind that at "High" quality, you can fit 2 hours on a DVD, and it only takes >30 minutes to record an hour show-at "Medium" quality you can fit 4 hours, and it takes a little under 15 minutes for an hour show, etc.). Also bear in mind that you can continue using the unit for almost anything else while it's burning the DVD (a lot of competing products tie up the unit while they're burning a DVD)
Click Here to see more reviews about: Humax DRT800 DVD-R/RW Recorder/TiVo Series2 DVR Combo
The Humax DRT800 DVD recorder with Series2 TiVo service was designed to eliminate the confusion and complexity of DVD recording with a streamlined design and seamless integration with TiVo digital video recording and an attendant 80-hour hard-drive. The integration of a full-featured DVD recorder/player means you'll have the choice of recording shows to the unit's hard disk or to a write-once DVD-R or rewritable DVD-RW.Your commercial DVDs will always look great using the set's progressive-scan video outputs (optimized for high-definition and HD-ready televisions). Front-panel audio/video inputs include a DV (digital video) IEEE 1394 jack for your DV camcorder, making it easy to copy from camcorder tapes to long-lasting DVD--perfect for sharing footage with loved ones. You can archive from the unit's hard disk to DVD, too, and the DRT800 even saves you time by letting you burn a DVD in the background while you're still recording and watching live TV.The TiVo service included with the ($12.95 per month for the first box and $6.95 per month for additional boxes) offers the popular service features available only from TiVo. TiVo lets you search for your favorite TV show, and with the push of a button, set the DRT800 to record it automatically every time it's on. Record up to 80 hours of television entertainment without the hassles of videotape, control live television (pause, rewind, slow-motion, instant replay any channel, anytime), and schedule recordings online.The DVR section also offers an electronic program guide (EPG), which keeps the DVR up-to-date with 14 days of program data; Season Pass recordings, with which the DVR automatically records every episode of a favorite program all season long; WishList searches to find and record all programs that feature a favorite actor, director, team, or topic; TiVo Suggestions, which automatically records shows based on your recording preferences; and smart recording, which detects line-up changes, adjusts recording times as needed and automatically, and even skips reruns.If you're already set up for a home network, you can use the DRT800 as an extension of your network, streaming JPEG images or MP3 music files from your PC to the DRT800 for media enjoyment in the comfort of your living room. A home network also gives you access to recorded programs on multiple TiVo DVRs, too.The DRT800's ergonomically engineered remote control puts the power to pause, rewind, slo-mo, and record right in the palm of your hand. Plus, its varied input/output connections confer multiple configuration options and a pair of USB ports grant the option of future feature expansion.What's in the Box DVD recorder/TiVo DVR, a 25-foot RJ-11 phone cord, a phone-line splitter, a stereo analog audio/composite-video interconnect, an RF coaxial cable, a serial (data) control cable, an IR control cable, an AC power cord, a remote control, remote batteries, a blank recordable DVD-RW disc, a user's manual, and warranty information.Note: TiVo service is required and is available for $12.95 per month ($6.95 per month for additional boxes) or $299 for Product Lifetime.
Click here for more information about Humax DRT800 DVD-R/RW Recorder/TiVo Series2 DVR Combo
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