| Last week, the DirecTV with TiVo showed off its intuitive digital video recording software and VCR-busting adaptability. This week, we feature the satellite challenger, an upstart that has improved some areas of DVR but faltered in others.
For those late to the party, a DVR acts like Dr. Moreau’s combination of a VCR and a computer |
| Dish Network |
| Dish delivers size, headaches |
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| Floating features not included. |
| hard drive. Television shows can be saved for a one-time recording (to test out a new show or special) or regularly every week (for a favorite show), with the end result stored on the DVR hard drive until the end of time … or a magnet parade.
Dish Network DVR Price: For new subscribers, there is no additional cost for the DVR unit. Like DirecTV, the DVR is built into the receiver, saving on space and additional cords. Size: The basic offering holds 100 hours worth of programming, or 200 episodes of Yes, Dear. This is more than double (100 to 40 hours) the basic DirecTV option. Options: If free isn’t your style, there are intriguing upgrades comparable to DirecTV. A dual-line DVR and satellite combo allows two different shows to record at the same time, or to watch one show while recording another. Cool points: The information screen that shows when there are recordings available for viewing allows you to see what date the show aired and a brief synopsis/description. If you’re saving multiple airings of the same show, this saves the embarrassment of devoting time to, say, an interview show featuring Ann Coulter. Also, unlike TiVo, Dish DVR does not record shows unless you schedule them. This saves the daily maintenance of deleting all the shows your DVR friend thought you might like but, sadly, was mistaken. Finally, the fast-forward button simply blows away the speed on TiVo. And while navigating can be a hassle (there’s no “snap to the beginning of the scene” feature like on TiVo), blowing through a sporting event in 15X speed can make any game feel fast-paced. But … The biggest knock on the Dish DVR comes from the difficulty in regular recording. Unlike TiVo, which looks for a program title and records all of those shows, Dish DVR records by time of day. So, the DVR will record whatever is showing on the WB at 8 p.m. Monday nights. This means missing out on special times or dates the TiVo would catch. With the sketchy nature of network programmers, show times are in flux, but the Dish DVR remains locked in. Verdict: If your decision on satellite television comes down to DVRs and $50 isn’t too much of an up-front cost, then DirecTV with TiVo emerges as the clear choice. The software can be used by geeks and technophobes alike, and, like the commercials say, you can create a television schedule on your time — freeing up an extra few hours each week to watch more television. |
| Originally published in a December 2004 edition of the MidWeek, as written by Hank Brockett |