Directv R15

(DTV converters)

"It's a decent DVR, but inferior in every way to the TiVos DirecTV used to offer. I got my first one approximately 15 months ago and had a lot of problems with it. It eventually stopped recording entirely, and I had to have it replaced.

The replacement has lasted over a year, but has had periodic problems, such as not recording anything when multiple items are scheduled or not showing that programs are being recorded until after they're finished. Since you can watch one channel while recording another it shouldn't need to change channels every time a recording is scheduled to start, and originally mine didn't. About 6 months ago, though, it started asking to change the channel when a new recording is scheduled to start and nothing else is being recorded. If I don't let it change the channel the recording is cancelled. If I do allow it I can return to what I was watching almost immediately and it will continue to record.

It seems like this DVR is only just now really ready to be released. It seemed rushed out the door in order to fill the void left by cancelling the DirecTiVo. Although the features are adequate for the price, I'd recommend looking for a used DirecTiVo as an alternative."

Review date: 26 Feb, 2008