HD DVRs: DirecTV’s High-Definition Digital Video Recorder
DirecTV’s HD DVR HR10-250 is basically for TiVo-ing high definition television. This HD DVR costs around $1000 USD, but for the most part users seem to agree that the price is well worth it.
The HD DVR HR10-250 contains four tuners with two antenna and two satellite connections for over the air digital television, as well as a built in digital video recorder with TiVo. Many users have grown accustomed to the TiVo display and programming layout, so having a similar TV Guide type interface is a big plus to many users.
With multiple tuners users are able to record two high definition television shows at once, including scrambled and premium content, while watching a different prerecorded television show at the same time. This can really be nice. There have been many times that I need to record a television show at the same time that one of the kids’ favorite shows is on.
The 250 gigabyte hard drive is able to hold about thirty hours of high definition television programming and approximately 200 hours of standard definition programming. Though there is a lack of variety in high definition programming, this is always being remedied as more and more programs are recorded in high definition.
The DirecTV HD DVR HR10-250 also lets users switch between four different resolutions and is able to convert poor quality images to crisp 480p images. Switching between full screen and wide screen modes is easy and there is a button on the remote specifically for switching between the two.
Another nice feature of this DVR is that it integrates satellite and over the air channels seamlessly for a nice channel surfing experience. Besides the integrated programming types, DirecTV’s current eight channels of high definition programming are all grouped together, which is nice.
This is definitely not a cheap unit, particularly when you consider the cost of installation and service. The best deal is to sign up for all channels, TiVo service and high definition content, which will cost about $100 per month. Aside from the cost, if you’re serious about watching and recording high definition television then this is probably one of the best HD DVRs you could buy.
