SD Recorder HD Recorder HD Recorder HD Recorder HD Recorder HD Recorder HD Recorder

INTRO & PRICING

Release date Dec 2008 Nov 2009 Dec 2008 Jul 2007 Apr 2010 Apr 2009 Nov 2009

DVR subscription fees required? None None None $12.99/mo

or $129/yr $12.99/mo

or $129/yr Included Included

One-time payment as alternative to fees? None None None $299-399 $299-399 Included Included

Total upfront cost without any future fees $227 $400+ $300 $575

XL: $750 $598-699

XL: $698-$898 $499 $599

TUNERS 1

ATSC/QAM/NTSC 2

ATSC/QAM 2

ATSC 2

ATSC/QAM/NTSC 2

ATSC/QAM/NTSC 2

QAM 3

QAM

SOURCES SUPPORTED

Antenna: Off-air channels X X X X X

Cable: Analog channels* X (Unreliable) X ($129 option) ($129 option)

Cable: Unencrypted digital SD/HD locals X (Unreliable) X X X X

Cable: Encrypted digital cable channels with CableCard X X X X

Separate coax inputs for antenna and cable X X

BASIC FUNCTIONALITY

Program guide X X X X X

High-definition picture with Dolby Digital X X X X X X

Pause, instant replay, and rewind on liveTV X X X X X X X

Record X different channels simultaneously 1 2 2 2 2 2* 3**

Recording time estimate (built-in) 33 SD hours

(66 SD w/ SP) 30 HD hours 21 HD hours

XL: 157 HD hours 46 HD hours

XL: 156 HD hours 75 HD hours 75 HD hours

Recording time with plug-and-play external drive 300 HD hours* 165 HD hours

XL: 300 HD hours 190 HD hours

XL: 300 HD hours 375 HD hours* 375 HD hours*

Record scheduling method Timers Timers Timers Name-based Name-based Name-based Name-based

Recorded programs are listed with program title X X X X X

Watch one channel while you record another X X X X X X

Watch a previously recorded program while recording X X X X X X

Watch a recording-in-progress from the beginning X X X X X X

Remembers where you left off in every recording X X X X X X X

Pause, replay, 30sec skip, slo mo, multiple speeds of FF/RW X (All except slo) X X X X X

Skip 15+ minutes at a time X X X X X

Play recordings at 0.8 - 1.3x speed with audio X

Progress bar (on trickplay) shows current position in video X X X X X X X

Conflict management X X X X

Record programs it thinks you will like using free space X X

Set default settings for single and series recordings X X X

Correctly handles Daylight Savings Time (DST) changes (Manual) X (Unreliable) X X X X

Closed captions on recordings X X X X X X

PROGRAM INFORMATION

Method of guide data delivery antenna antenna Internet or phone Internet or phone Internet Internet

Days of information None Current program

(when available) 8 days

in these markets 14 days 14 days 14 days 14 days

Program titles on all channels Most locals X X X X

Basic program descriptions Most locals

in these markets X X X X

Poster images for every program X

Detailed program descriptions, actors, original airdate, new or repeat X X X X

Program information available 24/7/365 X X X X

Program information never goes out for a channel X X X X

No CableCard needed for info on ClearQAM channels (Requires CableCard ) (Requires CableCard ) X X

Source of program information PSIP TVGOS

PSIP as backup Tribune Media

via TiVo servers Tribune +Rovi

via TiVo servers Tribune Media

via Moxi servers Tribune Media

via Moxi servers

LIVETV FEATURES

Buffer always active when recorder is on X (Only after pause) X X X X X

Buffer time for pause, replay, rewind on liveTV 6 hours SD Unlimited

(One tuner only) 1 hour HD

(One tuner only) 1 hour HD

(30 mins per tuner) 1 hour HD

(30 mins per tuner) 3+ hours HD

(1.5+ hrs per tuner) 4.5+ hours HD

(1.5+ hrs per tuner)

Number of tuners with independent liveTV buffers 1 1 1 2 2 2 3

Swap between multiple tuners without losing buffer or pause position X X (Loses position) (Loses position)

Pause, replay, etc available when recording in background X X X X X

Buffer is not reset when you change the channel on a tuner X X

Save entire buffer to a recording X X

Save buffer for current program to recording X X X X

RECORD FEATURES

Records HD video without quality loss (Records in SD) X X X X X X

Records Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound X X X X X X

Timer-based recording (records using VCR-like timers) X X X (User option) (User option)

Name-based recording (records and tracks programs by their name) X X X X

Record only new episodes and ignore repeats option X X X X

Custom series recordings to record by user-defined criteria X X

Series manager to prioritize what is recorded when 3+ programs conflict X X X X

Adjusts schedule automatically when programs change their days, times, and/or lengths X X X X

Programs missed due to conflicts are automatically recorded the next time they air X X X X

Overlap protection to eliminate conflicts when programs overlap by up to 5 minutes X X

Keeps recorded history to prevent same program from recording twice X X X X

Restrict series recordings to a single timeslot (Req manual timer) (Req manual timer) X X

Start recordings early or end late (Schedule edit) (Schedule edit) X X X X X

Keep only the last X episodes of a show X X X X

Keep each recording "until I delete" or "until space is needed" X X X X X

Deletes oldest recording (not "keep until I delete") when space req'd for new recording (Bugged) X X X X

Record from antenna and cable channels simultaneously X X

Record composite/s-video input X

Edit recorded video X (Only after offload) (Only after offload) (Only after offload)

GUIDE FEATURES

Guide implementation None None Grid Grid / TiVo-style Grid / TiVo-style Grid / Moxi-style Grid / Moxi-style

Grid-style guide details 9 channels

3 hrs per channel 8 channels

1.5 hrs per channel ? 6 channels

3 hrs per channel 6 channels

3 hrs per channel

Customizable favorites list X X (Based on usage) (Based on usage)

Picture window while browsing guide (Overlay) X X X

Guide genre filters (show only movies, only sports, etc) X X X X

Create recording from program guide selection X X X X X

View program guide without interrupting recorded playback X X X X

Record indicators for future programs in guide X (Not at release) X X

Permanently delete individual channels from box X X X X X X

Displays antenna and cable channels in a single guide X X

Displays digital and analog cable channels in a single guide X X (With analog dongle) (With analog dongle)

Connects daily to an Internet time server to ensure accurate clock X X X X X

Navigate through guide 90+ minutes at a time X X X X

Navigate through guide 24 hours at a time X X X X X

Guide data available for past timeslots X X

SEARCH FEATURES

Search program titles and descriptions X X X X X

Search results sorted by name or popularity (Name only) X X (Name only) (Name only)

Search program titles, descriptions, actors, directors, and categories X X X X

Search with multiple fields and boolean operators (AND/OR/NOT) X X

Save searches X X

Record all future matches of a saved search ( examples ) X X

Search available VOD titles on Netflix, Amazon, and Blockbuster X X

DVR UI

Picture window in menus / Can it be hidden or turned off? (Most)

No, always on X

Yes, can be disabled X

No, always on X

No, always on

Number of programs shown on recorded list screen 6 7 6 8 9 10 10

Recorded list shows name and date of every recording (Only for OTA) (Name only) X X X X

Recorded list can be sorted by name or date (Date only) (Date only) X X X (Name only) (Name only)

Recorded list distinguishes between watched and unwatched programs X

Multiple episodes of same program grouped into folders with episode names and dates X X X X

Play entire folder of recordings, back-to-back with one button press X X

Single-click delete with Recently Deleted folder and undelete X X

Record schedule shows names and dates of all upcoming programs (Locals only) X X X X

Recorded history shows why programs didn't record (Limited) X X X X

Free disk space estimate X X X (Recently Deleted) X X X

No advertising of any kind X X X pause ,

main menu X X

CAPACITY EXPANSION

External drive interface USB eSATA eSATA eSATA eSATA

Plug-and-play external drive expansion Up to 2 TB Up to 1 TB Up to 1TB Up to 6 TB w/ RAID Up to 6 TB w/ RAID

Maximum recording time with plug-and-play expansion 300 HD hours 165 HD hours

300 HD hours on XL 190 HD hours

300 HD hours on XL 375 HD hours (2TB)

1000 HD hours (RAID) 375 HD hours (2TB)

1000 HD hours (RAID)

Interface seamlessly integrates contents of internal and external drives X X X X

Contents of external drive are encrypted and inaccessible to a PC X X X X

Allows unlimited number of interchangeable, plug-and-play drives X X

Allows internal hard drive upgrades (voids warranty) Up to 500 GB Up to 2 TB Up to 1 TB Up to 1.26 TB

Up to 2.1 TB on XL Up to 2.2 TB ? ?

REMOTE SCHEDULING

Schedule recordings via web and mobile phone X X X X

Real-time conflict management for remote scheduling X X

Edit and/or delete scheduled recordings online X X

View list of recorded programs and upcoming recordings online X X X X

PARENTAL CONTROL OPTIONS

Separate, content filtered recorded list for children X (Only in SD UI)

Require 4-digit PIN to view blocked content X X X X X

Block certain channels (i.e. require PIN to tune) X X X X X

Block TV programs at or above certain rating (ex: TV PG) (If info available) X X X X

Block movies at or above certain rating (ex: R, NC-17) (If info available) X X X X

Block unrated movies and/or TV programs X X X X X

Block all programs with specific content (sexual content, violence, etc) (If info available) X X

Parental controls temporarily disabled when PIN is entered, and then: X X X X X

(a) Parental controls re-enable after channel change or recording exit X

(b) Parental controls re-enable after a preset time period X X

(c) Parental controls re-enable after period of remote inactivity X X (Uses preset timer) (Uses preset timer)

(d) Parental controls re-enable after DVR is set to off/standby X X (Uses preset timer) (Uses preset timer)

Parental controls can be turned off completely (with PIN) X X X X X

OFFLOAD RECORDINGS

Offload implementation SAMBA, FTP HTTP

View 1 , 2 HTTP

View 1 , 2

Download all recorded files from OTA & unencrypted cable channels X X X

Download all recorded files from encrypted cable channels flagged as CCI=0x00 X X

Download all recorded files from encrypted cable channels flagged as CCI=0x02

Software to automatically download episodes of favorite series after they record X X

All recordings downloaded as is, including full HD with DD5.1 X X X

View and edit recorded files on a computer X X X

Burn recorded files to Blu-ray disk or DVD X X X

Transfer recordings to mobile device (iPod, ZuneHD, etc) (W/ other software) X X

Transfer HD and SD recorded files from computer back to DVR X X X

Format of recorded files TS MPG TS/MPG

Network throughput for recorded file downloads 25Mbps 9 Mbps 60Mbps

MULTI-ROOM FUNCTIONALITY

Multi-room implementation Transfers

to other DVRs Transfers

to other DVRs Streams

to DVRs or extenders Streams

to DVRs or extenders

Network throughput for multi-room 16-24Mbps 70-90Mbps ? ?

Each DVR can send HD recordings to X rooms simultaneously 1 1 1 2

Multi-room viewing works with copy protected recordings (ex: HBO) (Not at release) X X

Pause a recording in one room and resume it in a another X X X X

Completed recordings can be viewed in another room X X X X

Recordings-in-progress can be viewed in another room (Not at release) X X

FF/REW through entire recordings without waiting for transfer (Not at release) X X

All DVRs in home can share a single series manager

Recorded programs on multiple DVRs are all combined into a single list (Sub menu) (Sub menu) X X

Network throughput sufficient to skip all commercials without delay Sometimes Always Always Always

Set-top extenders available to view recorded programs X X

Set-top extenders can schedule, manage, and delete recordings

Set-top extenders can view EPG and liveTV using DVR's tuners X X

PC MEDIA

DLNA compliant X (Not at release) X X

DIVX support Up to 1080p (Requires PC ) Up to 1080p Up to 480p Up to 480p

MPEG-4 AVC and VC-1 support X (Not enabled) X X X X

WMA Pro 7.1 audio support X X

Full 1080p output on PC video files X X X X

Browse network shares without PC software X

Transfer PC videos to DVR for viewing X X X

Stream PC videos to DVR for viewing X (Limited) (Limited) X X

Play music stored on computer elsewhere in home (DVD only) X X X X X

View pictures stored on computer elsewhere in home (DVD only) X X X X X

Play videos, music, or view pictures while recording TV (DVD only) X X X X

NETWORK CONNECTIVITY

Wired network connection 100Mbps 100Mbps 100Mbps 100Mbps 100Mbps 100Mbps

Wireless network connection 802.11n (Requires bridge) ($39 option) ($39 option) (Requires bridge) (Requires bridge)

Connects daily to an Internet time server to ensure accurate clock X X X X X

Download software updates using network connection X X X X X X

Ticker bar to show headlines, stock ticker, sports scores on screen X X

Subscribe to specific RSS video feeds and podcasts X X

Amazon OnDemand SD/HD with "TV Passes" X X

Blockbuster OnDemand SD/HD X X

Roxio CinemaNow X

Vudu OnDemand HD and HDX

Netflix SD/HD streaming X X SD only

(Requires PC) SD only

(Requires PC)

Youtube X X X (Requires PC) (Requires PC)

CONNECTIONS

HDMI v1.1 v1.3 v1.1 v1.1 v1.3 v1.3 v1.3

Component / S-Video / Composite X/X/X -/-/X X/-/X X/X/X X/-/X X/X/X X/X/X

Maximum native output resolution 480p 1080p 1080i 1080i 1080p 1080p 1080p

High-definition output through HDMI and component? (HDMI only) X X X X X

Downconverts HD video to SD over s-video and composite X (Composite only) (Composite only) X (Composite only) X X

Native output mode to output all video as is without conversion X X X X

All HD and SD outputs active simultaneously X X X

Allows 16:9 anamorphic output through SD connections X ? X X X

Coax passthrough for TV tuner X (When off)

Firewire (IEEE 1394)

HARDWARE DETAILS

System chip ? Realtek

RTD1283 STMicro

STi7109 Broadcom

BCM7401 Broadcom

BCM7413 Broadcom

BCM7400 Broadcom

BCM7400

Processor Details Single-core

133MHz(?) Single-core

400MHz Single-core

266MHz Single-core

300MHz Dual-core

400MHz Dual-core

350MHz Dual-core

350MHz

Graphics Details 2D only 2D only 2D only 2D only 2D + 3D

(Supports OpenGL) 2D + 3D

(Supports OpenGL) 2D + 3D

(Supports OpenGL)

System memory 32 MB (?)

SDRAM 256 MB

DDR400 160 MB

DDR400 256 MB

DDR400 512 MB

DDR2-800 256 MB

DDR2-800 512 MB

DDR2-800

Hard drive (internal) 160 GB (Sold separately) 250 GB 160 GB

1000 GB on XL 320 GB

1000 GB on XL 500 GB 500 GB

Power consumption 33W (in use) 20W (in use) 22W 38W 26W 32W 32W

ENERGY STAR certified X

OTHER

Multistream CableCard slot

A single "M-CARD" supports all tuners with digital cable X X X X

Supports wired and wireless USB keyboards X

Requires phone line? Requires Internet connection? No No No (Req Internet or phone) (Req Internet or phone) (Req Internet) (Req Internet)

Supports cable company OnDemand No No N/A No No No No

Built-in DVD writer X

WARRANTY

Parts warranty One year One year 90 days One year One year One year One year

Extended warranty available? Walmart.com

2 years for $20

3 years for $29 Sears.com

2yr for $45 TiVo.com

2 years for $30

3 years for $40 TiVo.com

2 years for $30

3 years for $40

Cost to repair/replace after warranty expires ? $369 $300 $150 $150 $75 + parts cost $75 + parts cost

Cost to transfer lifetime service to a replacement DVR N/A N/A N/A Free for three years

$199 after three years Free for three years

$199 after three years N/A N/A

SCREENSHOTS

Recorded list View View 1 , 2 , 3 View 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 View View

Browse TV View 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5

Program guide View View 1 , 2 View 1 , 2 View 1 , 2 View 1 , 2

Program info View View View 1 , 2 View View

Record schedule View View

Search View View 1 , 2 View 1 , 2 , 3 , 4 , 5 View 1 , 2 View 1 , 2

Main menu View View View View View

Progress bar View View View View

Create recording View View View View View

Record options View View View View View

Manage/edit programs to record View View

Network video playback View 1 , 2

Multi-room viewing View 1 , 2

Offload recordings View 1 , 2 , 3 View 1 , 2 , 3