ReplayTV


ReplayTV

ReplayTV stakes their claim as the high-performance option in DVR technology. Owned by D&M, who also own Denon, Marantz and McIntosh, it's easy to believe they make a high quality product.
ReplayTV is the original HDR first released in 1997. The current rendition of ReplayTV's HDR is the 5500 line, which comes in several models based on the number of hours you choose. The range is huge, from a 40-hour model all the way up to the 5532 featuring 320 hours of recording time. All Replay TV models feature progressive scan to convert interlaced broadcasts to progressive for Digital TVs.

The features that enhance ReplayTV as a premium service beyond that of a standard DVR are very similar to TiVo. Once you learn the interface you can take advantage of one-click recording; lesser DVRs might (heaven forbid) require an extra click or two.

Subscribers can also use "smart" programming features like "Find Shows", "Every Episode" or "Just the New Ones." They function just like the names sound.

After paying the cost of the hardware you're required to pay a subscription of $12.99 per month or $299 for a lifetime membership. With D&M's backing they're likely to be around a long time, even if they currently ride the fringe of TiVo's share of the premium subscriber DVR market. It goes without saying these fees are above and beyond any subscriber TV service.

Compare
For $299 you can buy an HDR like the DishDVR510 (for Dish network subscribers only) or an equivalent HDR that integrates with your satellite or cable TV, sacrifice some of ReplayTV's smart features and save yourself a monthly payment.