Back to Page 2 - Pricing, Styling and Usability

  Picture Quality - Winner: DishPlayer

This category was pretty easy to decide on.  To compare, I took each of the units a recorded the same show.   To make sure I could discern the difference, I viewed them all on my Pioneer Elite RPTV properly calibrated with Video Essentials.   

DishPlayer Picture Quality - DishPlayer records the raw bitstream from the satellite receiver.  So, it's picture is exactly the same as the original.   If you don't currently or don't want to subscribe to Dish Network, DishPlayer is out.

ReplayTV Picture Quality. -  While ReplayTV has to encode the Picture again, the loss of quality (in the high and medium record modes) is only discernable on rather fast moving pictures.  

TiVo Styling - The quality loss in TiVo is similar to ReplayTV in most modes.  However there is a difference when the input is already a below average quality picture, such as cable or satellite satellite superstations.  It appears that TiVo is doing something to the picture.  I have been told that it is a softening filter and will be removed in the 1.3 release.

Compatibility - Winner: ReplayTV

This category is meant to reflect the ability of a PTV unit to integrate into a complex home theater.  Important features are ability to record Cable, Multiple input and outputs and a universal remote. 

ReplayTV
Replay seems to have the best assortment of inputs and outputs.  One really unique feature is the ability to manually select an input  rather than relying on the tuner.  This is especially useful if you find that a channel isn't on the ReplayTV's guide (this can happen for new channels)  You can simply tune your external receiver to the channel and select the correct input.   This receiver makes a great centerpiece to a home theater system.

ReplayTV also has a built in tuner and encoder allowing it to record cable or over the air broadcasts.

DishPlayer
Deep down DishPlayer is still meant to replace a satellite receiver, and not to be the cornerstone of a home theater.  It  has no inputs other than an RF pass through.  Unfortunately the pass through strips any stereo out of you cable signal.  The remote can control a TV and VCR.   

And don't forget that the DishPlayer can't record your cable or OTA broadcasts.  If you can't get locals over the Satellite, this box may not be right for you.

TiVO
TiVo did a good job of creating a unit that can be the center of most home theaters.  It provides the option to control a satellite and cable and integrate them  One great feature which is unique to TiVo of the remote is that it can control a Audio receiver.  If you have a rather simple home theater, this will make a great centerpiece.

Wrap - Up