ReplayTV RTV5516 160-Hour Digital Video Recorder
Poor Customer Service, Does NOT work with HDTV Tuner
I really wanted the ReplayTV to work and set out to make all the connections one night. The box has plenty of cables included, but does not include an ethernet cable to connect to your router. After getting the unit connected, I spent about 1 hour trying to get the replay unit to recognize my network and connect to the internet. I tried adjusting my router settings and LAN settings, and finally got the unit to connect by resetting the ReplayTV.<br /><br />My home theater setup does not include a satellite receiver or cable (I live out in the country), so I have an over-the-air HDTV decoder (Samsung). ReplayTV will not work with this type of setup!! The codes to control other devices does not include tuners, and you can not \\"teach\\" the system different codes. Without this function, there is no way for the ReplayTV to record anything except if the HDTV tuner is on and adjusted to the correct station. So what I have now is a tapeless VCR that I have to pay $14 per month (definitely not worth it). The ReplayTV website FAQ also makes note that it cannot tune to the subchannel. What that means is that if the program you want to record is on 58.2, this unit will not work.<br /><br />I read some of the reviews on this site and questioned some of the comments about Replay's customer service. I do not question them further. I spent 20 minutes on hold trying to cancel my service without talking to anyone (no toll free number) before I was disonnected. I called back seeing as how they claim to answer 95% of their calls within two minutes (my odds had to be higher to not be in the other 5% again!) but spent 1 HOUR and 15 minutes on hold. I hung up WITHOUT speaking to anyone. A nightmare that's not even over yet.<br /><br />A couple suggestions if you want to purchase this unit:<br /><br />1. Do NOT sign up for the service until after the ten day grace period.<br /><br />2. The subscription fee is NOT refundable. I'd recommend that you don't pay for the lifetime \\"of the product\\" (non-transferrable) fee, just stick with the month to month.<br /><br />3. If I ever do get through to customer service, I'll make sure I get the name of anyone I speak with. Some of the other comments are about getting disconnected, continuation of fees after cancellation, etc.<br /><br />Good luck if you decide to go with this service, it will probably work fine with mainstream satellite or bradband services and most of the tv's with built-in HDTV tuners. Take a look at the online manual to see which units they provide codes so that your ReplayTV can control.non-transferrable) fee, just stick with the month to month.  <br />3. If I ever do get through to customer service, I'll make sure I get the name of anyone I speak with. Some of the other comments are about getting disconnected, continuation of fees after cancellation, etc. <br /> <br />Good luck if you decide to go with this service, it will probably work fine with mainstream satellite or bradband services and most of the tv's with built-in HDTV tuners. Take a look at the online manual to see which units they provide codes so that your ReplayTV can control.