Good, basic DVR Could offer more options

This is the first DVR that I have owned and we got it as a "bonus" from DirecTV. We had switched from Dish Network because we got a better deal financially, and the DVR was thrown in with the package.
This unit is capable of recording while you are watching a different show (requires a second dish). After the installer finished setting up the new dishes, we went through the setup menu on the DVR. Setup was a snap - the menus are clear and self-explanatory. There were a number of system tests and then additional prompts to set up the remote (RC23) to operate other devices.
We have an Olevia 27" Flat Panel TV which was not listed on the remote codes. However, going to the website of the TV manufacturer, we found that putting in the codes for JVC worked enough to turn the TV on and off and operate the volume.
The hard drive on this unit is very quiet. You hardly know that there is a HD installed. I am assuming that the HD is constantly recording because it offers the feature of playing back live TV. You can also pause live TV up to 30 minutes and then come back to watch what you missed.
Recorded programs stay in a folder called "My VOD" which you can view and watch at a later time. At the end of viewing recorded programs, you are automatically prompted to choose to either erase the program or store it for future viewings.
Scheduling programs for future recordings is a snap. You can either go into the programming guide and select a future program, or you can manually go into the recording menu and plug in time, date, and channel for recording. When the program is finished, the recording automatically stops.
This unit will store up to 100 hours of recorded shows. When you reach the HD limit, you will be prompted to make a choice as to which recordings you wish to erase to make space.

Other features on the unit include the typical settings for widescreen or standard letterbox format pictures, various audio options for SAP or CC for hearing impaired.
The channel guide also has options to customize for two different users - you simply choose the channels that you want to appear in your guide and all others are filtered out. There are also parental controls which allow you to set parameters for ratings, blocking certain channels, limiting hours of viewing, and limits on spending for PPV.

The unit also has caller ID (if you have it through your phone service) which is a very nice feature. If you are watching TV and the phone rings, the phone number and/or name appears on the lower right-hand part of the screen.

You can also search for programming based on various interest filters - i.e., Actor, Title, Subject, etc.

All in all, it is a good basic DVR. However, I do have some complaints about some design flaws:

First: in order to squeeze in a PIP preview along with the channel guide, they had to use a small font to display information. This isn't a problem if you are using a 27" screen or larger, but on a 20" or smaller screen, the text is almost illegible.

Second: there is no option for "autotune". If you wish to watch a program at sometime in the future, the unit only allows you to set recording. It would have been nice to allow the option to simply tune to the channel. I find it very inconvenient if I want to watch a show two hours from now I must choose to record it, or manually tune to the channel at the appropriate time.

Third: There is a known software glitch with the caller ID. From time to time, the caller ID will stop working. After calling DirecTV's tech support, I was instructed to clear the caller ID log, and it started working again. They said they know about the issue and are working on it.

I know that these may seem minor, but I'm sure that they are easily fixed by a software upgrade.

DirecTV recommends that the unit be turned off when not viewing as this will allow it to dial in for PPV information as well as download any software updates.

Outputs on the rear of the unit include two RCA Video outs (for two devices), two sets of RCA Audio outs, S-Video out, and RF Out. There is also a phone jack for the caller ID and PPV information link and a USB port for future use.

In summary, I think this unit is a good value when offered from DirecTV as part of the new customer package. However, if I were to purchase a unit at retail, I think that I would probably look for something with more features and display options.

Finally, I have seen other reviews on other sites that stated if you are used to TiVO interfaces, you will be sorely disappointed with this unit. It is NOT TiVO. It does not make recommendations based on the viewer's preferences and the interface is supposed to be much more difficult than TiVO's. I have no basis for comparison, so I cannot comment. Some reviewers said that they found the interface to be difficult requiring constant use of the owner's manual. Maybe I am too much of a geek, but I didn't find it very hard to navigate and use the various features.