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Packaging:

The unit comes with a 160+ page manual, remote, composite, component, HDMI>HDMI, HDMI>DVI and S-Video cables.

Hook up:

After hooking it up via all possible options I called DirecTV to activate it. The first CSR had a hard time due to it not being listed on his computer. Since the box, as of this writing, was made by Hughes it was listed as a DirecTV HD receiver but he was able to sort it out. OTA signal strength was equal to the Sony HD 200 it replaced. After setting up zip codes and a short download off I went.

User features:

Once you setup scan rates your display accepts and the guide loads, it was time to see what it can do. Well you know the first thing I did was pause and play HD to my hearts content. HD and SD recordings are painless, everything you record to the hard drive will be displayed in that scan rate and it�s just a matter of toggling the up arrow on the remote to set output to your display.

For SD it lacks any stretch modes but does have a panel/full ratio toggle to fill the screen. Also channel logos are missing on this unit, (another complaint of other users) so in the list of recorded shows you cannot tell what channel it was recorded on unless you select it (maybe a software download fix later).

Findings:

S-video for SD is quite nice, allowing you to use your display�s stretch modes to expand 4:3. Composite, well, not the best but can be used as a last resort if you have no other option. Component is by far the best solution for my Mits. Sharp, noise free image and rich full color. HDMI>DVI, softness in the image and colors a little washed out (this has been a complaint of some users with CRT displays).

Remote:

The window button on the SD version is now the ratio for the panel/full feature on the HD version. Another bug is that you cannot learn the FF button to a universal remote, (MX 500, etc.) but can be learned from the SD version.

All observations and opinions are based on my experience and YMMV.

Pros:

Time shifting.
Four tuners (2 OTA and 2 satellite).
Record two channels and watch one previously recorded.
Tivo features, season pass, search functions etc.

Cons:

Slow guide load.
No non-linear stretch (panoramic).
Softness of image using HDMI to some displays.
Channel logo�s missing on some units (software?).

Conclusions

What�s my verdict? I would have to give it four paws out of five. Reason being it does everything it needs to do with minimal input from the user. Some of the issues these first units have, should be addressed with downloads then I would have to say we have a winner.

Features:

Records up to 30 hours of DIRECTV� high-definition programming or up to 200 hours of standard definition programming. With your 250 GB Hard Drive, it allows you to watch whenever you're ready.
Access high definition and standard definition DIRECTV� programming, as well as off-air ATSC digital broadcasts from one receiver in digital form on an internal hard disk drive.
30-minute buffer of live programming.
Random access to titled programming
Digital accurate fast forward, rewind, slow motion, frame forward, I-frame back and high-quality freeze frame.
Instant replay of live or recorded programs
4 Total Tuners: (2) Satellite Receiver Inputs (2) Off-Air ATSC HD Tuners
First EVER DIRECTV� set-top box to offer HDMI interface
Digital Audio output

Rating:

Overall:

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