Philips DSR6000R DIRECTV Receiver with TiVo Service
Tivo your life !!
I own three tivos: a standalone, a Hughes GXCEBOT DirecTivo and now a Philips DSR6000.  I have been pleased with all three models and love how Tivo lets me watch TV on my own schedule, not the networks'.  For those who are switching from a regular Directv receiver or are new to satellite service altogether, a few caveats:<br />1) All three DirecTivos (Hughes, Philips, Sony) perform the same. The only differences are external - the Hughes and Sony are silver and the Sony has a control link to control Sony VCRs. So buy the one that fits best with your home theater system.<br />2) The DTivos currently (as of 12/01) in stores have software ver. 2.01; to use the two tuner functionality, you need only force a daily call (or two) after you finish the guided setup - the installation manual explains this simple process - and wa - la!!  Ver. 2.5 will download and a new message from Tivo will tell you how to activate the dual tuner functions. No sweat!!<br />3) The DirecTivo online guide is slower than those of the regular Directv receivers.  Don't worry, you'll get used to it and as you begin to use the Tivo more and more, find that you surf less and less.  Alot of your TV viewing will be recordings the Tivo or you have made.<br />4) The Philips DSR6000 runs hot!! (That's why I gave it four and not five stars).  Don't stack it with another component and make sure you have adequate head and side room in any rack system you put it in.  Otherwise, the fan will run continuously and might annoy you.<br />5) The DTivos, like the standalones (and unlike Ultimate TV) can be expanded to add additional hard disk storage.  So, you can upgrade your 35 hour DTivo to 80 hours, 100 hours, 160 hours,... it's up to you.  All you need is a little PC knowledge and some gall...<br />6)...you can only use the DTivos to record satellite TV; they won't work with cable or local broadcast TV (buy a standalone Tivo for that).  But as of 12/27/01, nearly all your local channels are \\"must carry\\" for Directv.  (Go to their website to see which locals you can get via the satellite).<br />A final piece of advice: if you're thinking about buying this product...read the FAQs and discussion threads - it may save you some frustration or disappointment if the product is not what you expected and will help you with any setup questions you may have, like \\"do I need a multiswitch and which one should I buy?\\"  It's also a great way to pick up tips and tricks about how to make your Tivo viewing more pleasurable.<br />If you can't Tivo your life, then at least Tivo your television ;-)  Good luck and enjoy!!ectv.  (Go to their website to see which locals you can get via the satellite).<br />A final piece of advice: if you're thinking about buying this product...read the FAQs and discussion threads - it may save you some frustration or disappointment if the product is not what you expected and will help you with any setup questions you may have, like \\"do I need a multiswitch and which one should I buy?\\"  It's also a great way to pick up tips and tricks about how to make your Tivo viewing more pleasurable.<br />If you can't Tivo your life, then at least Tivo your television ;-)  Good luck and enjoy!!