DIRECTV Plus DVR (Lease)
Everything you would expect (but not hope for) from a DVR
DIRECTV's R10 satellite television receiver includes an 80GB TiVo® Digital Video Recorder which greatly enhances TV viewing.  If you are new to the world of satellite TV or DVRs, the R10 is an excellent model to make the leap forward from analog or standard cable programming into fully recorded digital programming.  A DVR functions as the venerable VCR does, except it is a large computer hard drive connected to the DIRECTV tuner.  Whether you are watching live TV or a previously recorded show (\\"Now Playing List\\"), the R10 DVR is diligently recording whatever program your tuner(s) is set to.  This means you can pause, rewind, or skip through your program as you would a DVD or music CD and save your favorite shows for later viewing.  \\"Season Pass\\" allows you to record every new and/or rerun of a TV show.  Search functions assist you in finding a program in the online programming guide, even if you can't recall the exact title or only a snippet of information relating to it.<br /><br />There are other brands with larger hard drives, network capability, and specialty multi-tuner functionality, yet the R10 is more than sufficient in satisfying the basic needs of the majority of satellite TV customers.  Its onscreen menus are driven with a graphical user interface reminiscent of drop-down GUIs in popular computer systems.  If you are not computer-savvy, don't let this description dissuade you.  The R10 TiVo operating system uses menus no different or more difficult than your ATM machine display or a basic internet browser.  Browsing through guides and menus is rapid and easy; jumping from one program to another is quicker (better hardware/faster processing) than previous generation TiVos and DVRs.<br /><br />The R10 model does require a land-line phone connection to update its operating system on a monthly basis, but this is the norm for many computer-hard drive based electronics, and a sign that TiVo and DIRECTV are committed to maintaining the best performance possible in your DVR and receiver.  The R10 also requires a DIRECTV satellite subscription to operate, unlike a generic DVR.<br /><br />The Amazon review preceding mine lambastes RCA home electronics.  My experience with RCA DVRs proves otherwise very positive and I dearly miss my RCA Ultimate TV DVR/Receiver.  As a long-time user of satellite TV DVRs, I find the R10 remote control panel and TiVo menus adequate and functional as one would expect.  Yet, after retiring my RCA Ultimate TV DVR after 5 years of heavy use and an eventual hard drive crash, there were positive aspects in its remote control and menus missing in DIRECTV's TiVo.<br /><br />One example is the R10 missing a fast forward skip button equivalent to TiVo's instant replay rewind button.  Perhaps TiVo does not wish to anger or awaken the sleeping leviathan of television broadcasting corporations who rely on advertising revenue.  Instead, the R10 remote control has only fast forward functionality which forces the user to keep an eye on the screen and slow down the fast forward once reaching the desired point in time of their recording.  Another example of functionality missing is an inability to instruct TiVo to record any program matching a general search parameter.  Like any other missing enhancement, none of these issues make for an inferior product, merely sufficiently adequate.<br /><br />In summary, the DIRECTV R10 is a good value for its functionality and makes an excellent and affordable entry into the world of digitally recorded satellite television.  Easy to use and install, you can enhance your DIRECTV satellite viewing in under an hour with its simple installation guide.  You will wish you had ordered one sooner.ble in your DVR and receiver.  The R10 also requires a DIRECTV satellite subscription to operate, unlike a generic DVR. <br /> <br />The Amazon review preceding mine lambastes RCA home electronics.  My experience with RCA DVRs proves otherwise very positive and I dearly miss my RCA Ultimate TV DVR/Receiver.  As a long-time user of satellite TV DVRs, I find the R10 remote control panel and TiVo menus adequate and functional as one would expect.  Yet, after retiring my RCA Ultimate TV DVR after 5 years of heavy use and an eventual hard drive crash, there were positive aspects in its remote control and menus missing in DIRECTV's TiVo. <br /> <br />One example is the R10 missing a fast forward skip button equivalent to TiVo's instant replay rewind button.  Perhaps TiVo does not wish to anger or awaken the sleeping leviathan of television broadcasting corporations who rely on advertising revenue.  Instead, the R10 remote control has only fast forward functionality which forces the user to keep an eye on the screen and slow down the fast forward once reaching the desired point in time of their recording.  Another example of functionality missing is an inability to instruct TiVo to record any program matching a general search parameter.  Like any other missing enhancement, none of these issues make for an inferior product, merely sufficiently adequate. <br /> <br />In summary, the DIRECTV R10 is a good value for its functionality and makes an excellent and affordable entry into the world of digitally recorded satellite television.  Easy to use and install, you can enhance your DIRECTV satellite viewing in under an hour with its simple installation guide.  You will wish you had ordered one sooner. <br />