Strengths:DVD player, DVD recording w/ respectable DVD write times, responsive DVD/CD tray, Tivo features and user interface generally, component video-out, front-side video/audio inputs.
Weaknesses:MPEG-2 video compression (not TyStream), cosmetically not the most appealing, interface a little slow at times, DVD single layer only recording.
Posted Apr 29, 2005 - I own two (2) DRT-800 units and having been using them for about 4 months. They work well, and being able to record a show to DVD on occasion is a nice feature. However, in all honesty, I'm recording fewer shows to DVD than I had originally anticipated. This may be due, in part, to the fact I’ve updated the installed 80GB hard drive w/ a Seagate 200GB hard drive, works GREAT! I'm storing more programs than I actually have time to watch. I don't believe the video quality of the Humax DRT-800 is quite as good as a standard Series2 Tivo, esp. at lower quality/compression levels. This is most likely due to Humax using MPEG-2 for compression, while your standard Tivo uses TyStreams (which preserves more video quality). It's not a huge difference, but enough to annoy the most finicky viewer. MPEG-2 facilitates the *potential* writing of content to DVD, but not without a nasty side-effect -- you can't write transferred content (w/ HMO) to DVD from any other Tivo except another Humax that also uses MPEG-2 compression (ugh). Humax provides no means to convert TyStreams to MPEG-2 to make that possible. While the technical necessity for using MPEG-2 is understandable, I think it would have been a MUCH better design decision to record in TyStream format for maximum interoperability, but then convert from TyStream to MPEG-2 for DVD writing, as-needed (which frankly, is a rather rare occurrence anyway). So as it stands, the video quality and writing of video captured from a non-Humax Tivo is sacrificed for the off chance you may want to record that video to DVD. Personally, I find this incredibly stupid and short sighted. At the highest quality level, MPEG-2 quality is probably 95% of TyStream, so all is not lost. But as you ratchet up the recording time capacity, the video quality deteriorates more noticeably than on a standard Tivo w/ TyStream compression. Something else I've noticed that I've not seen nearly as much on a standard Tivo is the loss of video/audio synchronization. Occasionally, audio/video synchronization breaks down, which is very annoying. I assume this is due to Tivo concurrently performing other housekeeping chores (indexing, program guide updates, etc). You would think Tivo would NOT do these things during active recording, but given this problem, one has to assume this isn't always the case. Front side video/audio inputs are nice for those w/ a camcorder, VHS, or any other content you'd like transferred to Tivo, and perhaps even record to DVD. DVD recording works well, although it's a little slow (1 hr of show-time takes 15-20 mins). And despite the impressive capacity of DVD (4.7GB), it sure fills up quickly. One DVD will only hold one hour of programming at the highest quality. Ok for your typical situation comedy, talk show, or news program, but not practical for movies or sporting events. Lowering the recording quality does increase DVD capacity, but as I explained before, this Humax DRT-800’s video quality degrades rapidly as you do. In general, I do not recommend anything less than "high quality”. I use it high-quality by default to stretch the HD as much as possible, then override w/ “best quality” as needed. Again, it never attains the quality levels of a standard Series2 Tivo, but I find it acceptable given all the other features and benefits this Humax DRT-800 offers. From a purely Tivo features perspective, it's great, Tivo is Tivo, regardless of vendor. I love the Season Pass, Wishlist (my wife wanted to catch a specific movie, I simply provided a title and waited, 2-3 weeks later, Tivo found it on some obscure cable channel, nice!), Suggestions (I now find things worth watching), etc. And if you have a home network, being able to share content across Tivo units, remote scheduling, Tivo Desktop and JavaHMO to play your MP3 files, export weather reports, stock reports, etc., are all cool and surprisingly useful features. The handheld remote is very close in design to the original Tivo remote, works quite nicely, although I would prefer the number pad was in the middle or upper-middle of the remote, would make it a little easier to change channels and use the most commonly accessed buttons (play, pause, ffw, etc.). Cosmetically, I don’t find the Humax DRT-800 very appealing, a little too “utilitarian” for my tastes, I find the Toshiba line more elegant and aesthetically pleasing. Despite some negatives that are primarily Humax DRT-800 specific, overall I'm pleased w/ the purchase. My wife and I thoroughly enjoy the Tivo service and these Humax DRT-800 units in particular. My only cautions is, if you are VERY particular when it comes to video quality, if you won’t accept anything less than near perfection, then I would recommend a standalone Series Tivo instead.
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Humax DRT800 with TiVo
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