Comparisons at iwantptv.com


The PTV Comparison matrix is your quick guide to the various features available on currently shipping PTV receivers.   Use it to help determine which PTV receiver is the best for your needs.  Of course you could do what I did...get them all.  

Personal Television Comparison Matrix

Features

Philips TiVo

Echostar DishPlayer

 ReplayTV 
 Price

 $399 4-14 hour/ $699 9-30 hour 1

 $199 4-5 hour / $399 8-10 hour 2 $699 20 Hour 5
 Service $9.95 per month / $199 Lifetime 9.95 per month Included
 Local Channels

Can record OTA channels

  no support Can record OTA channels
 Digital Sound

None

  PCM/Dolby Digital None
 Guide Linear w/look ahead Standard Grid Standard Grid
 Cable Support Built in Cable Tuner Cable Pass through. Build in Cable Tuner
 Special Features TiVo Suggestions (see TiVo guide) WebTV (see DP Guide) Show/Theme Replay Channel
 Sound in Menu's No Sound/Picture in Menus Sound/Picture in most Menus Sound/Picture in most menus
 Channel  Banner Shows Title/Time/Rating/Stations Shows Channel/Title only Channel/Title/Time/Time left
 Video Inputs 1 Composite / 1 SVideo none 2 Composite / 1 SVideo
 Video Outputs 2 Composite / 1 SVideo 2 Composite / 1 SVideo 2 Composite / 1 SVideo
 Sound In 1 Analog (L/R) None 2 Analog (L/R)
 Sound Out 2 Analog (L/R) 2 Analog (L/R) / 1 Digital (optical) 2 Analog (L/R)
 Cable IN 1 input 1 input (for pass through only) 1 input
 Cable Out 1 output (channel 3/4) 1 output (channel 3/4) none / use RF modulator
 Phone Connection  1 for Data Download 1 for WebTV 1 for Data Download
 Other IR/Serial Control Out 3  Parallel, Accessory (WebTV) 4 IR/Serial Control Out 3
 Picture Quality

Depends on Record Quality 
(Slightly degrades Live TV)

 Same as Satellite Input
(Records incoming Bits)		 Depends on Record Quality 
(Slightly degrades Live TV)
 Remote Control Control TV/VCR/Reciever/TiVo
Picture		 Controls TV/VCR/DishPlayer
Picture		 Control TV/VCR/DVD/Replay
Picture

  1. TiVo's record time depends on the record quality you choose. They range from 4-14 hours for the 14 hour unit and 9-30 hours on the 30 hour unit.   On average recordings, expect times to be somewhere in the middle

  2. Make it quick if you want the 7100 as it is being discontinued.  Because the DishPlayer records the raw data coming from satellite, your record time will depend on the compression of the shows being broadcast.

  3. Can control your DSS/Dish or Cable box using  these connections.  For most reliability, find a unit that is supported with a serial connection.

  4. WebTV has support for some parallel printers as well as other accessories.

  5. Depends on the record quality you choose.  Ranges from around 6 to 20 hours.  On average, I am getting around 10 hours.