If you had your choice, which DVR would you choose? Unfortunately, you don’t have a choice most of the time. Most equipment only works with one provider, so you have to take what they give you. But, if you’re ready to change providers, you might want to know about the choices available to you. Here’s a rundown of the state-of-the-art in multiroom DVRs.
The HR34 is a new DVR from DIRECTV that uses RVU technology to send the full DVR experience to TVs with no separate box. Right now only a few TVs are supported but more are expected. An external adapter is expected in 2012 to let any TV have the full DVR experience.DIRECTV is the only provider that lets you record over-the-air broadcasts. It offers a very high recording capacity, dual buffers, picture-in-picture and many other advanced features. However, it lacks remote management that every other provider offers. This is the only DVR that lets you record 6 HD programs at the same time (1 must be on demand)
Xfinity Anyroom
XFinity Anyroom is a DVR solution from Comcast with low upfront cost. It suffers by being able to record only one program at a time and it is impossible to watch a second channel while recording the first on the same TV. Xfinity’s strength is its large on-demand library. Almost all primetime programming is available on demand without recording, freeing up the DVR to record only those shows that are not available on demand. XFinity is also available in a “triple play” where phone and internet can be bundled. If you live in an area not served by AT&T or Verizon FIOS it’s a good low cost solution.
This is the multiroom solution for AT&T customers. It offers a very powerful DVR for no upfront cost. You can stream to a maximum of 7 rooms simultaneously. Channel changing is very fast compared to other providers. It lacks dual buffers, a popular feature for sports fans but does have a 4-tuner picture-in-picture. AT&T offers a package that bundles internet, TV, land line and cell phone for an attractive price. Not all systems across the country offer the same hardware.
The FiOS solution is the most fully customizable system on the market and the FiOS network is the fastest. On Demand is nearly instant. It also offers very comprehensive remote management and server-based remote streaming capabilities. The FiOS multiroom DVR runs on a variety of hardware so recording capacities can vary from 20 – 200 hours of HD. Because of the use of different hardware, not every system can show HD in every room. Like AT&T and Comcast the FiOS system can be bundled for very attractive pricing with zero upfront cost.
Do you want to know how they stack up? Here’s an easy comparison chart!
DIRECTV HR34 | DISH HOPPER/ JOEY |
XFINITY ANYROOM |
UVERSE TOTAL HOME |
FIOS MULTIROOM DVR |
|
Server Price (before discounts) |
$399 $349 | $399 | No upfront cost | No upfront cost | No upfront cost |
Client Price (before discounts) | $99 (H25 or C31) | $159 | No upfront cost | No upfront cost | No upfront cost |
Hours of HD Record Time |
200 | 250 | 50 | 65-1395 | 46-726 (MPEG-2 HD) |
Number of user-set simultaneous recordings | 5 SAT 2 OTA (no more than 5 total) |
3 | 1 | 4 SD 3 HD | 2 |
Max. number of simultaneous remote clients |
3 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 2 per DVR (out of 6) |
Record Over-The-Air programming | Yes1 | Yes7 | No | No | No |
Record all network primetime shows using a single tuner |
No | Yes | No | No | No |
Remote clients require a separate box | No if Samsung TV is used2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Pause Live TV on any TV |
Yes if Samsung TV is used2 | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Manage recordings from any TV | Yes if Samsung TV or C31 is used2 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Compatible with older equipment |
Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Volume Leveling Technology | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes (Dynamic Range) |
Picture in Picture |
HR34 only (not clients) | Yes | No | Yes | No |
Dual Buffers | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Set recordings online |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Manage recordings online | No | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
Built-in streaming |
No | No | Yes4 | Yes4 | Yes (X-Box) |
HD on all TVs | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
1080p programming |
Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes |
3D programming | Yes | No | Yes | No | Yes |
Video On Demand |
Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
HD User Interface | Yes3 | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
Youtube Videos |
Yes | No | No | No | Yes (via Media Manager) |
Netflix | No | No | No | No | No |
Blockbuster at Home |
No | Yes | No | No | No |
1Requires the use of the AM21N adapter, sold separately
2Samsung 2011 and 2012 6000-series Smart TVs required for receiver-free operation, pause live TV from any TV, and for remote management
3HD User interface for HR34 has been available since spring 2012.
4Streaming is from Server library not from home DVR
5Higher capacity DVR available in some markets.
6Minimum guaranteed number. May be higher with some hardware.
7Record 1 channel over the air with adapter sold separately.