High Definition Tivo

High definition Tivo sounds like the perfect combination of amazing picture quality and all the recording and time shifting benefits of regular Tivo. And the good news is, it exists in the form of the DirecTV HD DVR.

DirecTV's HD DVR combines a 250GB hard drive and recorder with ATSC and satellite HD tuners for HDTV viewing. You can store up to 30 hours of high definition content or 200 hours of standard definition programming and you can view programs in 480i (standard definition), 480p(enhanced definition), 720p, or 1080i(both high definition) formats.

With the necessary inputs, you can watch one previously recorded HD program while recording two others, and as you would expect, you can also pause (up to 30 minutes) or rewind live TV.

The Advanced Program Guide holds program information for up to 14 days worth of programming, so its easy to find and record the shows you want, and the Season Pass option allows you to record every episode of your favourite shows.

This high definition Tivo box has HDMI, component video, S-video, and composite outputs and for audio there's digital optical, and composite stereo outputs. There is also a phone line connection and a USB connector.

The DirectTV HD DVR also has support for Dolby Digital (using the optical audio socket), WishList recording, favourite channel lists, and parental controls.

DirecTV offers a wide range of HD programming, including an exclusive NFL Sunday Ticket, ESPN HD, Discovery HD Theater, Universal HD, HBO HD, Showtime HD, adult programming, and HD pay per view content.

What's better: DirecTV or DishNetwork?

Find out about more DirecTV offers here