DVRs are going upscale, or they are going lowball. This year TiVo introduced its first high definition DVR, the Series3, while DirecTV updated its earlier HD model. Despite the stunning picture quality delivered by these units, both have their fair share of teething difficulties. HDTV junkies can probably forgive these early-adoption issues, but more casual viewers would likely be better served with tried-and-true standard-definition models.

DVR combinations are becoming more common, and it is worth your while to investigate these units that package a DVR with a DVD recorder/player and even a VCR, all in one space-saving component. Whether you're a hard-core TV aficionado or a casual viewer, there is a DVR that is right for you.

TiVo TCD649080 Series2 DVR

TiVo TCD649080 Series2

For a suggested retail price of $100, the TiVo TCD649080 Series2 sits toward the low end of the DVR price spectrum. Unlike earlier Series2 models, this model offers a dual tuner for recording two different shows at the same time, as long as at least one is airing on analog cable. The TCD649080's hard drive has enough storage capacity for 80 hours of your favorite TV shows at the standard quality setting or 13 hours at the highest quality setting.

The Series2 has all the familiar TiVo options, including the ability to pause live TV for up to 30 minutes, fast-forward through saved and buffered commercials and instantly replay a missed moment. It also offers advanced TiVo features such as Season Pass, WishList and Search by Title. Multi-Room Viewing lets you watch recorded material stored on any other TiVo in the home. For example, you can start watching a recorded show on the TiVo in the living room, and then watch the remainder on the TiVo in the bedroom. Online scheduling even allows you to remotely program the TCD649080 via the TiVo website. Finally, the TiVoToGo feature lets you transfer recorded content to your laptop or handheld device so you can watch your favorite shows on the road.

It doesn't have a huge hard drive or all the bells and whistles, but the TiVo TCD649080 Series2 proves to be a great DVR value.


DirecTV Plus HD DVR (HR20)

The HR20 is an updated version of DirecTV's first HD DVR, but while the original unit used the TiVo electronic program guide (EPG), the $300 HR20 employs DirecTV's own EPG. Even TiVo fans are unlikely to complain at the change, though. Better known as the Plus HD DVR, the HR20 retains the ease of use of the earlier unit, and the menu system is intuitive and simple to navigate.

If you are a DirecTV subscriber, you'll love the stunning HD picture quality that delivers HD channels in their native 720p and 1,080i resolutions. You'll also enjoy the HR20's ability to simultaneously record two HD programs while you watch a previously recorded third show. The HR20's hard drive offers plenty of storage space, sufficient to hold up to 30 hours of HD programming or 200 hours of standard-definition content.

Unfortunately, despite DirecTV's frequent software upgrades, program bugs continue to affect the performance of the HR20. In time, we hope DirecTV will iron out these system problems so that the dependability of the HR20 matches its excellent picture quality and features.

DirecTV Plus HD DVR (HR20)

TiVo TCD648250B Series3

With its $800 price tag, we were expecting great things from the TCD648250B Series3, TiVo's first HD DVR. Unfortunately, it only partially delivered.

Much of the TiVo experience is there with the TCD648250B. The first THX-certified DVR, the Series3 also enables you to watch recorded material in its native HD format for exceptional audio and video. The unit has the standard time-shift functions for pausing live TV and instantly replaying a missed moment, and the inclusion of a dual tuner means you can record two different shows while watching a previously recorded third. Advanced TiVo features are also present, including Season Pass, WishList and Online Scheduling. The TiVo EPG is as intuitive and simple to use as ever.

However, considering the asking price, we can't help focusing on all the things TiVo omitted from the TCD648250B. Neither TiVoToGo nor Multi-Room Viewing is available, although we hope that both of these features are added in future software upgrades. Another problem is that this Series3 DVR cannot be directly connected to a cable box, instead requiring you to get a pair of CableCARDs from your cable company. Using CableCARDs means that the TCD648250B cannot access pay-per-view or on-demand programming. To add insult to injury, your cable company may also charge you a CableCARD installation fee.

The bottom line: If you have deep pockets, the TiVo TCD648250B Series3 delivers great audio and video quality. If you're on a budget, however, we suggest sticking with a Series2 DVR.


Panasonic DMR-EH75VS

The Panasonic DMR-EH75VS proves that a DVR doesn't have to be limited to a just one function. For a suggested price of $500, the DMR-EH75VS combines a DVR with a DVD recorder/player and a VCR, all in a single component. The 80GB hard drive can store more than 140 hours of your favorite TV shows at the Extended Play quality setting. Once programming is on the hard drive, you can edit out the commercials and transfer the video to DVD or VHS for sharing or archiving. The DMR-EH75VS also includes an HDMI digital output for connecting to compatible HDTVs, and it will up-convert standard DVD movies to display at pseudo-HD 720p and 1,080i resolutions.

While we were disappointed with the poorly designed remote and the overall quality of the VCR, as a DVR and DVD recorder/player, the DMR-EH75VS exceeded our expectations. The electronic program guide can't match the intuitiveness of TiVo's standard-setting system, but then again, the DMR-EH75VS's EPG doesn't require a monthly subscription fee. With Quick Start activation and one-touch dubbing, as well as all the traditional DVR time-slip functions, the Panasonic DMR-EH75VS is a fine multifunction device.