ReplayTV 4040 40-Hour Personal Video Recorder
Replay 4040 - The Next Generation
The 4040 Replay unit has a shinier, new look from the previous ReplayTV/ Panasonic models, making it the a sleak looking PVR. One of the best new features over the older models is the addition of control buttons on the front of unit, while the older models depended on the use of the remote for basic functionality. The Replay unit comes well apportioned with inputs and outputs and a aver usable universal remote, not like the ones sitting around your house collecting dust. There are two sets of composite inputs(RCA), one RF antenna, and one S-Video input. Outputs are one digital audio, one component (through a VGA adapter), an S-Video, and two composite outputs. <br />In order to use even the basic functions of the ReplayTV, you must have a broadband connection to register online. Once you've cleared that initial hurdle, you'll be ready to \\"Replay\\". Even though it has a phone jack in the back this is disabled and may be enabled with future versions of the software. This unit is the cheapest of the 40XX series with a 40GB hard drive. It allows for 40 hours of storage at standard recording quality. Other models, such as the 4320, offer as much as 320 hours of recording capacity. Of course, the amount of programming you can store depends on whether you record at the Standard, Medium, or High setting. At its best resolution, the 4040 holds around 14 hours worth of content. <br />Using the 4040's high-resolution VGA connector, you can hook  this up to a PC or to a TV's component input. In theory, you can even use a DLP or LCD projector with VGA inputs to enjoy ReplayTV at the 480p, semi-HDTV video resolution. <br />One of the main features of this unit is its network capability. If you have a home network you can share shows with other Replay 4XXX units and you can share it with others outside of you home via the internet with the required broadband connection. With variables such as your ISP and connection along with those with whom you're sharing programming content withcan mean that a single standard-level half-hour recording could take anywhere from two to eight hours to download. <br />The internet interoperability also allows for you to program you Replay via a web interface called MyReplayTV.com. This however takes 24 hours for it be \\"synched' with your replay unit when \\"calls\\" in for updated programming schedules. Sonicblue says the 4000-series models will \\"soon\\" support direct, instant access so that you can set shows remotely to record on the fly. And they upgrade their software regularly.<br />The best feature is the PVR's ability to filter out almost all commercials with a simple menu change. When it's recording in the Commercial Advance mode, the ReplayTV 4040 automatically skips from about one second into the first commercial to about five seconds before the program resumes.,but you still may end up with a few commercials (it isn't perfect). <br />Some other new features are the addition of a screensaver and picture viewer that gets its pictures from a pc on your home network.<br />I love my ReplayTV, there is great third party support... for this unit just like TiVo that if you are so inclined to void your warranty can improve on this already great PVR.