Panasonic PV-HS2000 ShowStopper 30-Hour Digital Video Recorder
The Best way to watch TV Ever!
I went and bought this looking for the option to record shows that I always miss when I am at work (I really like Anime, for example) and I can give the box certian settings, be that Cartoons, or a specific Show and It can find every time the show is on and record it for me and I can watch it ANYTIME I want to, not having to worry about remembering to watch the show and set the VCR to record the next time I want to see a show (which I had missed just because I forgot to push a button). I don't have to worry about this anymore, I can tell the Showstopper to look for &quot;Music Videos&quot; and I can come home and have a Music Video Channel anytime I want (without having to pay extra for a channel like that). The Replay Zones sometimes come in handy when you would like suggestions for Movies or Shows to watch, but I have not found myself using it that much. But the option to record any shows/movies with a certian actor/actress in it has really come in handy! I love being able to find a program I just saw a commercial for and browse the guide (up to a week) and set the box to record it and get to watch it whenever I want. I have found the 'Extended' Mode is fine for pretty much anything you want to watch, but sometimes Fast Animation can get a little 'blocky'. Most of the time, you can use 'Extended', but you can set it for 'Medium' and it looks a little better. It is best to test with the different recording settings since everyone has their own tastes, I personally haven't ever used 'high' (it takes up too much space).<br />Following the Instructions, I was up and running within 10-15 min. The Clock is Very precise, which can be annoying since some stations have different time and shows can be a little off, but 97% of the time, the show will get recorded in its entirity.<br />Replay (the backbone of this unit) will be addding more features this fall such as adding a 'buffer' (extra recording time) for sports, etc, options to record more specific portions of a program, (weather forcast in a newscast) and the option to set your box to record using your internet connection (realize you want to see &quot;Monday night football&quot; but you have to work late, etc).<br />If you can spend the Money, it is a great Device to get since it HELPS you find shows you want to see and not having to Mess with anymore tapes. I would HIGHLY reccommend this to ANYONE who has missed shows since they forgot to press the record button! (I would reccommend to get the version with the largest recording time possible, you will find yourself using it ALOT!)<br />(One Note: If you are using an RF/Coax for your cable, you will need to get a splitter if you want to be able to watch a different show than you are recording, but it's no big deal (about $5 at any local electronics store).m, (weather forcast in a newscast) and the option to set your box to record using your internet connection (realize you want to see &quot;Monday night football&quot; but you have to work late, etc).<br />If you can spend the Money, it is a great Device to get since it HELPS you find shows you want to see and not having to Mess with anymore tapes. I would HIGHLY reccommend this to ANYONE who has missed shows since they forgot to press the record button! (I would reccommend to get the version with the largest recording time possible, you will find yourself using it ALOT!)<br />(One Note: If you are using an RF/Coax for your cable, you will need to get a splitter if you want to be able to watch a different show than you are recording, but it's no big deal (about $5 at any local electronics store).