Find The Right Digital Video Recorders (DVRs)

TiVo HD XL DVR (150-HD hours)

The TiVo HD XL charges a hefty premium for its spacious recording capacity and THX certification, but most users will be content sticking to the all-but-identical standard TiVo HD DVR.

Specs: HD DVR, 16.5 in x 12.6 in x 3.4 in, 150 hour(s), 2, TiVo, Remote control

DIRECTV HR21 (DIRECTV Plus HD DVR)

CNET did not review the DirecTV HR21 but we did review the HR20, which is very similar.

Specs: HD DVR, 15.0 in x 11.8 in x 3.0 in, 200 hour(s), 2, Remote control

TiVo HD DVR (20-HD hours)

While it's not compatible with your cable company's interactive and video-on-demand services, the TiVo HD's excellent onscreen interface and long list of network and Internet features puts it in a class above the generic high-def DVRs offered by most cable providers.

Specs: DVR, 16.5 in x 12.6 in x 3.4 in, 190, 2, TiVo, Remote control

DirecTV HR20 (DirecTV Plus HD DVR)

The DirecTV HR20 is easy to use and offers plenty of features, but its operational bugs make use more of a headache than with other DVRs.

Specs: HD DVR, 15.1 in x 12.2 in x 2.8 in, 200 hour(s), 4, Remote control

Neuros MPEG-4 Recorder 2 Plus

The Neuros MPEG-4 Recorder 2 Plus provides a straightforward way to get video content onto your portable device without the need for a PC.

TiVo Series3 HD DVR (32-HD hours)

The Series3 delivers dual-tuner HD recording and some worthwhile networking features to cable customers, but the exorbitant price tag will be too much for all but the most devoted TiVo fans.

Specs: DVR, 16.5 in x 12.6 in x 3.4 in, 300 hour(s), 2, TiVo, Remote control

TiVo Series2 DT (80-hours)

While its slick interface and cool networking features still distinguish it from rival DVRs, the dual-tuner function of the TiVo Series2 DT is useful only for those with analog cable service.

Specs: DVR, 15 in x 12.5 in x 3.3 in, 80 hour(s), TiVo

TiVo Series2 DT (180-hours)

While its slick interface and cool networking features still distinguish it from rival DVRs, the dual-tuner function of the TiVo Series2 DT is useful only for those with analog cable service.

Specs: DVR, 15 in x 12.5 in x 3.3 in, 180 hour(s), TiVo

Dish Network DP625

Dish Network's DVR 625 can record dozens of hours of satellite TV--and offers limited video-on-demand functionality as well.

Specs: DVR / Satellite TV receiver, 16 in x 13 in x 3.5 in, Matte black, 100 hour(s), 2, 4x, 15x, 60x, 300x, Universal remote control

Dish Network DP522

The DVR 522 combines a Dish Network satellite TV receiver and a 100-hour DVR in one box.

Specs: DVR / Satellite TV receiver, 16 in x 13 in x 3.5 in, Silver, 100 hour(s), 2, 4x, 15x, 60x, 300x, Universal remote control

Digital Networks ReplayTV RTV5504 (40-hour DVR)

Multiroom video streaming and third-party PC software make the ReplayTV 5500 series a worthwhile alternative to TiVo for advanced DVR users.

Specs: DVR, 16.9 in x 14 in x 3 in, 40 hour(s), ReplayTV, 2x, 4x, 16x, 20x, Universal remote control, 1 year warranty

Digital Networks ReplayTV RTV5508 (80-hour DVR)

Multiroom video streaming and third-party PC software make the ReplayTV 5500 series a worthwhile alternative to TiVo for advanced DVR users.

Specs: DVR, 16.9 in x 14 in x 3 in, 80 hour(s), ReplayTV, 2x, 4x, 16x, 20x, Universal remote control, 1 year warranty

Digital Networks ReplayTV RTV5532 (320-hour DVR)

Multiroom video streaming and third-party PC software make the ReplayTV 5500 series a worthwhile alternative to TiVo for advanced DVR users.

Specs: DVR, 16.9 in x 14 in x 3 in, 320 hour(s), ReplayTV, 2x, 4x, 16x, 20x, Universal remote control, 1 year warranty

Digital Networks ReplayTV RTV5516 (160-hour DVR)

Multiroom video streaming and third-party PC software make the ReplayTV 5500 series a worthwhile alternative to TiVo for advanced DVR users.

Specs: DVR, 16.9 in x 14 in x 3 in, 160 hour(s), ReplayTV, 2x, 4x, 16x, 20x, Universal remote control, 1 year warranty

DirecTV R10 (70-hour TiVo)

The R10 receiver delivers TiVo's best-in-class DVR to DirecTV subscribers at an unbeatable price.

Dish Networks DVR 942 HD

If you can't wait for MPEG-4 but simply must have an HD DVR now, you could do a lot worse than the feature-packed Dish Player-DVR 942.

Specs: DVR / Satellite TV receiver, 16 in x 13 in x 3.5 in, Silver, 180 hour(s), 2, 4x, 15x, 60x, 300x, Universal remote control

DirecTV HD DVR (HD TiVo)

If you're a DirecTV viewer who just can't live without the TiVo interface and can settle for its operational caveats, the aging DirecTV HR10-250 HD TiVo is a worthwhile DVR option.

Specs: DVR / Satellite TV receiver, 15 in x 12 in x 3 in, TiVo, Remote control

Sony DHG-HDD250

Sony's cable-friendly DVRs record high-def and include a free onscreen programming guide.

Specs: HD DVR, 16.9 in x 14.1 in x 3.3 in, 200 hour(s), Universal remote control

Sony DHG-HDD500

Sony's cable-friendly DVRs record high-def and include a free onscreen programming guide.

Specs: HD DVR, 16.9 in x 14.1 in x 3.3 in, 400 hour(s), Universal remote control

Series2 40 Hour Digital Video Recorder

The best interface on the planet and cool network options make TiVo Series2 the standalone DVR of choice.

Specs: DVR, 15 in x 11.5 in x 3 in, Black, 40 hour(s), TiVo, Universal remote control, 1 year warranty