ReplayTV 5160 Digital Video Recorder
Five stars with held breath
I brought the box home, unpacked it and was happy to see the simplified directions for hooking the machine up. Unlike TiVo, the ReplayTV 5000 series has both a phone hookup as well as broadband ethernet. I have read many reviews that criticize the modems in the machines so if you have an ethernet connection that is the route that you want to take. Connections to the cable box, TV and audio system were easy. Once the ethernet cable was set I turned on the machine and watched it go through initial set-ups which included downloading new software (guess it could see through the router!). After choosing the correct cable box I was set to go.<br />The ReplayTV has worked flawlessly since I started using it. Two of the features that set it apart from TiVo are Commerical Advance and Internet sharing. I have not used Internet Sharing yet and really don't know if I will but I have used Commerical Advance while watching replays of various shows I've recorded. I would agree that this feature works correctly about 80% of the time, but even when it's not right on the money it's close enough so it's not a pain.<br />The ReplayTV is easy to program. Searching for your favorite shows or movies can be done from your TV as well as the internet site... The system connects with the servers nightly to update channel listings as well as downloading software updates and receive programming ... <br />This unit has been a joy. But that said I've read horror stories where the unit has stopped working after a few weeks or months. I think that's a risk you take with any electronic/computer equipment. As for the future of the ReplayTV I think it looks bright with Denon & Marantz. Buy it, plug it in and watch TV like you never have before.