Rated 
Started Feb 2, 2005
Strengths: HDTV (maybe- see below), Tivo (not a Tivo-alike rip off DVR)
Weaknesses: Incompatable with some 4:3 TVs. Price. Guide speed.
I had the Directv SD Tivo unit for a couple of years, and loved it. This unit is basically the same as that unit except it can record HD, either over an external antenna or from the Directv satellite. Installation was super easy, and guided setup makes configuring the device very simple as well.
However, once I tuned it to an HD channel I ran into the snag. This unit is not compatable with my 4:3 HDTV. Unlike the Cable DVR that I just got rid of, there is a bug in the Tivo unt: it fails to letterbox 16:9 material when the box is set to output at HDTV resolution. Now for most people, this won't matter. If you have a 16:9 TV, you're not affected. If you have a 4:3 TV that has a 16:9 mode, likewise you are not afftected. However, if your 4:3 TV does not have the ability to create the letterbox (like mine does not) then you're out of luck.
If you're like me, you have basically two options when it comes to HDTV: either watch it full screen, which means everything is squished: people appear tall and skinny. Or, you can set the box to output 480p or 480i (The Tivo's letterboxing mode DOES work in these resolutions.) But if you do that, you're not seeing the full HD signal. It looks better than non-HD channels, but not nearly as stunning as the Cable DVR's HD looked. It's very, very disappointing.
What's even more disappointing is how unhelpful Directv has been with this problem. They sold me an HD box that simply does not work as it's described. The instruction manual indicates that the Tivo should be able to letterbox HD content for display on 4:3 TVs, but it doesn't. Reseaching the issue on the net shows that this is a known bug, not something unique to my situation. Directv sold me an HD receiver that isn't.
So, now assume that you have a 16:9 TV and this issue doesn't affect you. My qualms that do apply to you are these: price. way too expensive. guide speed: when dealing with the guide it's just as slow as the older SD model, which is disappointing. Also, the device should be able to automatically detect the HD resolution of the programs its dealing with and adjust its output accordingly (ie, if a program is broadcast 1080i or 480p, the unit should automatically adjust its output to match, but it doesn't. And, questionable future: Directv has said they plan to start switching over to MPEG-4 compresison for HD channels, and this box will not be able to receive those signals. It's unclear exactly when a switchover will be complete, and what if any equipment trade-in program Directv will offer for people who bought this unit.
Finally, this version of the tivo software does not include folders to Tivo2Go, which is likewise disappointing. Perhaps these can be added in later software updates, but Tivo seems relatively uninterested in updating software on Directv units for some reasons (I don't think there had been any update on my old SD unit for almost a year...)
Bottom line is that I have two sets of star ratings: For people with 16:9 TVs or 4:3 TVs with a 16:9 mode, I give this box 4 stars out of 5. Even with all the negatives, if you can afford it, this box will rock for you. Directv Tivo combo units are far superiour to the standalone units, and this box blows the cable HD DVR clear out of the water. There's just no comparison.
For people like me with a 4:3 HDTV with no 16:9 mode, until Directv releases a software update that fixes the letterboxing problem, this unit simply doesn't work as described. 1 star out of 5.
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