DVR that records free over-the-air HDTV ; no monthly fees ; excellent image quality ; dual-tuner design means you can record two program simultaneously from one antenna ; 30 hours of HD recording

Works more like a VCR than a modern DVR ; bland user interface ; lacks the polish of TiVo HD or Dish's own HD DVRs ; terrible warranty and return policy ; troubling online reports of crashing and freezing

The Dish Network DTVPal DVR offers up bare-bones, over-the-air HDTV recording without a monthly fee, but it doesn't compare to subscription-based DVRs, and Dish's nonexistent return policy makes it a real gamble.

Can record two HD programs simultaneously while playing back a third, previously recorded one ; huge 1TB storage capacity ; expandable storage ; accepts cable TV and over-the-air signals ; 30-second commercial skip ; excellent easy-to-use interface ...

Requires subscription fee in addition to cable bill ; sluggish transitions between menu screens ; does not work with video-on-demand services ; requires extra tuner box for cable systems with switched digital video services ; must program 30-second ...

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.

Relatively inexpensive ; performs basic DVD recordings without a problem ; upscales DVD to 1080p ; supports most recordable DVD formats, including dual-layer discs

Mediocre recording quality below the XP level ; upscaling performance could be better ; no flexible recording feature ; does not support DVD-RAM discs ; does not include a USB port or SDHC card slot ; lack of IR blaster makes it annoying to schedule ...

The Toshiba D-R410 handles basic DVD-recorder functions at a budget price, but you can get better features and performance from Panasonic's DMR-EA18K, if you're willing to spend a little more.

Excellent electronic program guide, with several days worth of data ; can search for programs by title ; solid video quality and reception ; good aspect ratio controls for handling wide-screen programs on standard TVs ; analog pass-through ; can work ...

Overcomplicated remote can't control TV volume and power ; no front panel buttons means you're out of luck if the remote goes missing ; composite audiovisual cable not included

The Dish Network DTVPal is a great DTV converter box with a best-in-class electronic program guide, and should be your top choice unless you value the simplicity and superior remote of the RCA DTA800.

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

The HR20 and the HR21 share the same capacity for recorded shows, the same remote control, and the same features otherwise. For more information, refer to our full review of the DirecTV HR20.

High capacity ; receives and records new MPEG-4 AVC programming, including local and other HD channels not available on older receivers ; dual-output mode for secondary TV ; can record up to three HD shows simultaneously while playing back a fourth ; ...

Generally lighter selection of local HD and sports channels than cable ; annoying interstitial PPV page ; defaults to "all episodes" for EPG-initiated recordings ; uglier EPG and menu system than TiVo HD and DirecTV ; no built-in networking ...

The Dish Network ViP622 and 722 are among the most fully featured and versatile high-def DVRs you can buy today.

Records TV programming to DVD or built-in 160GB hard drive ; ATSC tuner for receiving digital broadcasts ; HDMI output upscales to 1080p ; 30-second commercial skip button ; plays photos and MP3s from USB drives ; one of the only DVD/hard-drive ...

No support for dual layer or DVD-RAM discs ; ATSC tuner cannot deliver full native HDTV resolution ; no onscreen program guide or IR blaster limits ability to be used as a DVR ; no flexible recording length ; mediocre video quality on video-based ...

The Philips DVDR3575H is pretty much your only choice if you want a DVD recorder with a hard drive these days, but it's not as good as it could be.

Includes nearly all the features of previous Series3 model at a lower price ; can record two HD programs simultaneously while playing back a third, previously recorded one ; accepts cable TV and over-the-air signals ; 30-second commercial skip ; ...

Requires monthly fee in addition to cable bill ; sluggish transitions between menu screens ; does not work with video-on-demand and switched digital video services ; must program 30-second skip ; no picture-in-picture ; TiVo To Go requires long, slow ...

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 ...

More affordable than previous Series 3 model, but retains nearly all its key capabilities ; can record two HD programs simultaneously while playing back a third, previously recorded one ; accepts cable TV and over-the-air signals ; replaces your ...

Until expandable storage option is supported, the TiVo HD is limited to 20 hours of HD video capacity ; requires monthly fee in addition to cable bill ; sluggish transitions between menu screens ; does not work video-on-demand and switched digital ...

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 ...

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