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ReplayTV 2020 Digital Video Recorder

ReplayTV 2020 Digital Video Recorder

List Price: $399.99
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Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 5 stars
Summary: A change as big as when VCR's were first available
Review: This is truly a wonder -- it changes everything. With pause and electronic recording, there is never any searching for a tape, never losing a program or forgetting to turn the VCR power off so the timer can work. And it's a pleasure to watch shows from the beginning even before they've finished airing. This is easily the best electronics gadget I've ever purchased! Bar none!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Replay 2020 Install and First Night of Use
Review: I purchased the Replay 2020 last week, much to the chagrin of my girlfriend (she thinks I spend too much money, and she's probably right). After she checked out Replay's web site, she grudgingly approved (still thinking I spend too much money).

Yesterday, the thing finally arrived. I was so anxious, I cracked open the box at work before I took it home. I was extremely happy to see all of the cables and connectors that were included. A good sign -- no angry, mid-install trips to Fry's here. Anyway, when I finally got home, it installed with no trouble whatsoever. I switched a couple of cables around and I was in business. I didn't even need to study the large instruction card that they included. It was that easy. Once I powered it on, I answered some prompts and was up and running in about thirty to forty minutes. I only spent about five of that in front of the replay, the rest was spent nursing a sick, newly adopted cat while the Replay downloaded my listings and updated its software.

I was running late to some meetings (I did this over my lunch hour), so I quickly set it up to record a couple programs that evening. I was going to be at a small get-together and wouldn't be able to catch them. The real test would come when I got home. I did, however, watch some live TV and play with the "pause" feature before I left. That was too cool.

When I got home that evening, Replay's little light was on indicating that I had some programming available. After turning it on, there they were: two Simpson's episodes and an Alley McBeal.

Here is an important point: I really enjoy the Simpson's, but never am around to watch it. It plays twice daily in my area, but usually I'm still at the office. I didn't tape it on my VCR because they were not "must see TV" for me. But, at night when I get home from the office or other social gatherings, I ended up watching vapid crap because nothing else was on at that time. I really needed to vegetate, so I watched whatever was on. Yes, I admit it, Jerry Springer and his friends would show up on my TV from time to time. The point is, now I had a choice. "Hey look, the Simpson's is on -- bye, bye Jerry." I know I could have recoded them, but VCR maintenance would have been a nightmare and I would have ended up missing the shows that I did tape on a weekly basis.

I know I am not going to watch more TV than I already do. I have no more available time to spend there. I do know that I am going to watch more quality TV, programs that I enjoy. Let's face it, television is a release for many of us. We watch it when we want to "switch off" for a while after a long day. Sometimes our schedules co-incide with quality programming and sometimes they don't. Now, mine always will. I am in control -- and I don't have to be a VCR tape monkey.

Replay is a monumental advance in personal technology. It is as easy to use as a microwave and as powerful as a personal computer. From this initial experience, I am wholly convinced that my purchase was sound and would buy it again in a heartbeat.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: This product is WAY cool but not ready for primetime!
Review: I had a ReplayTV for two+ weeks. In that time it was plagued by many issues: 1) hard crashed, twice - fixed by power cycling. All shows scheduled during the outage (which is only noticable when you turn it on!) were lost. 2) failed to dial out when message center stutter tone was active (this is a documented "feature".) 3) Decided that a cable signal was too low (even though it was plenty for the old VCR and the TV.) 4) Decided to record reruns of a show that are on nightly as well as the new episode (which is the one I marked) which is only on one night a week an hour before the reruns - caused by fuzzy recording time frame - another "feature". 5) The nightly download of schedules downloaded the WRONG schedule a few nights in a row resulting in lots of lost shows.

I sent mine back but I really really miss it when it worked correctly. The ability to skip all comercials INSTANTANIOUSLY was wonderful. The instant replay was nice. The fact that you can watch a recorded show and immediately delete it but leave alone shows "around" it.. The ability to pause live TV.

I will give them (or whoever appears to have the most mature product) another chance when they figure out that appliances aren't supposed to crash and that they should be easier to use than VCRs - not harder.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: ReplayTV===Top Notch
Review: The ReplayTV is a fantastic machine. The time has come for this technology to due away with the Video Tape Recorder, as we know it. Although, all the buttons on the remote are a bit confusing, it will just take the consumer time to learn them. A great product.

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: Great idea, not yet fully baked
Review: I have replay TV in my home. Once you have it, you just can't live without it--it is just so great to be able to pause live TV and to automatically record your favorite shows. You also get really hooked on the Channel Guide--no more surfing to find the show you want.

While I love the features, the implementation hasn't been that great. My version crashes fairly often (which means it turns off and doesn't automatically turn on to record shows). So I've missed a bunch of shows. I've had my Replay TV since September, so maybe the bugs have been worked out. If it does, I highly recommend this product.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Changes the way you watch TV
Review: I've had a replay TV unit for about 6 months, and couldn't be happier. Storing programs for later playback ("time-shifting") is just one way to use it. You can also pause live TV and come back to it when you're able. This is helpful for me when I'm watching a show and need to deal with the kids, etc. The only cautionary note I have is to be sure that, if you're in a rural area, there is a local phone call access number to the Replay network. My Replay currently connects long distance, I'm bringing this to the company's attention, we'll see how they respond.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: The idea is great but the product is very rough
Review: You thought your desktop crashed a lot? Well then, just get a Replay TV. With reds being replaced by a blinding bright white, lost recordings, screwy download times that are sometimes totally ineffective, anyone would be better off waiting until they figure this one out. And they will, believe me, because the idea is great. When Replay works as it is supposed to I am aghast at the power it gives the person to create their own programming instead of depending on a bunch of bozos to do it for them. Good product, ain't up to snuff yet. Too darn expensive too.

BTW, don't get the shortest recording one, I believe it is the 2020, as you will regret not having the extra space. I have their top of the line and in three weeks already had filled up their hard drive. Forces you to watch your TV too quickly.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Now I can watch TV without my ReplayTv.
Review: It really works! This is an excellent product, the live pause and quick skip features are fantastic. Now I can watch TV without my ReplayTv.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The future...NOW!
Review: Being the audio/video junkie I am, I was immediatly interested in ReplayTV from it's inception. I gotta say, this is the most jaw-dropping thing I've owned since my 1st DVD player. To control live TV was unthinkable, until now. ReplayTV give you the ability to rewind, pause and fast-forward live TV! Recording is smooth and the interface is almost flawless. The only gripe(s) I have is that standard quality recording picture quality is grainy (but the medium is great and the high is like a DVD) and the unit does not have a RF out port. This product is revolutionary (thus expensive) and after 3 hours of use I couldn't imagine watching TV without it. The technology will, no doubt, get cheaper but if you can spend the money BUY IT NOW!

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Finally, TV on MY Schedule
Review: This is the perfect product for those "super professionals" where you feel lucky to spend 4 hours a day at home.

I have my favorite shows but I am never home to see them and refuse to take the time to program a VCR and then have to search the tape to find the start of each show, etc (plus, in the winter the power goes out every once in a while and you have to re-input all of your preferences into the VCR).

I purchased a Replay box and now all I have to do is select the shows I like from the on-screen program guide and it will always be recorded. When I am ready to watch them on MY TIME, I simply select the show from the on-screen list of shows I have recorded. Plus, I can skip through the commercials so it even saves me more time. Another great feature is the ability to pause live television when the phone rings.

Also, if you have DSS and cable and are tired of having to switch between the two the Replay box is for you as it seamlessly presents all channels on one program guide.

The only drawback is that even the new remote leaves a lot to be desired, as it is not very functional. This is a simple machine to use but the number of buttons on the remote would imply otherwise.


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