Pros: Networkable, convenient
Cons: Lousy interface, limited functionality
Cons: Lousy interface, limited functionality
Short version: It's no TiVo.
Longer version: DirecTV's own DVR offers all of the basic DVR features. This is probably fine for most users, but will require an adjustment for current or recent TiVo owners. In addition to the reduced functionality, the user interface is a huge downgrade. The program guide doesn't even compare (I've always thought that all devices offering program guide functionality should adopt TiVo's format) for usability and access and the interactive graphics feel clumsy and amateurish. In addition, I've always hated the DirecTV remote and find it to be unattractive, busy and "clunky".
On the other hand, the box is networkable so a phone line is not required as long as it can connect to a broadband network either via ethernet or a wireless bridge. Network access is easy to configure.
The other upside is obvious, but worth mentioning: the DVR and receiver are contained in the same box. What makes this worth mentioning is that the new DirecTV receivers no longer offer a low speed data port. Infrared is required to allow a TiVo remote to control a non-DVR receiver and this method, for me, is intolerably slow. The delay is untenable. Having both components in one box eliminates this delay and changing channels is about as easy as it can be.
Longer version: DirecTV's own DVR offers all of the basic DVR features. This is probably fine for most users, but will require an adjustment for current or recent TiVo owners. In addition to the reduced functionality, the user interface is a huge downgrade. The program guide doesn't even compare (I've always thought that all devices offering program guide functionality should adopt TiVo's format) for usability and access and the interactive graphics feel clumsy and amateurish. In addition, I've always hated the DirecTV remote and find it to be unattractive, busy and "clunky".
On the other hand, the box is networkable so a phone line is not required as long as it can connect to a broadband network either via ethernet or a wireless bridge. Network access is easy to configure.
The other upside is obvious, but worth mentioning: the DVR and receiver are contained in the same box. What makes this worth mentioning is that the new DirecTV receivers no longer offer a low speed data port. Infrared is required to allow a TiVo remote to control a non-DVR receiver and this method, for me, is intolerably slow. The delay is untenable. Having both components in one box eliminates this delay and changing channels is about as easy as it can be.
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