A DVR delivers features such as the ability to pause live TV (time shift) and fast-forward through ads for recorded programs. An electronic program guide (EPG) – when working properly – allows you to see what programs are coming up in the next hour, day or week. Simply select the program you want to record in the EPG, and your DVR will do the rest.
Our earlier test includes popular models such as the Telstra T-Box, 320GB TiVo and Sony PlayTV (tested in 2010), plus some discontinued models you might still find around the traps.
Unfortunately in this latest test we could not recommend any What to buys, as none tested measured up to our criteria.
Chris Ruggles sheds some light on the benefits of digital video recorders.
Models tested
DGTEC DG-HD1TBPVR
Magic TV MTV3700TD-AU
Strong SRT 5494T
Strong SRT 5429A
TEAC HDR3500T
Topfield TRF-2400
Topfield TRF-7160
Toppro TPR-5000
Our testers assessed the DVRs for ease of use, reception and energy used on standby.
Glossary
DVR: Digital video recorder.
PVR: A personal video recorder is the same as a DVR.
DVD HDD recorder: A DVR with a DVD recorder/player in it as well. This means you can record to DVD. A review of these units can be found in our DVD and Blu-ray recorders review.
How we test
Ease of use
Our tester, Scott, looks for an auto-tuning system that is informative and simple to use. He makes instant recordings and checks the menus for ease of understanding, navigation and clarity. He also plays back recordings to check the quality and range of functions that are possible. He looks at the front panel controls to see to what extent the machine can operate various tasks without using the remote control, and looks at the quality of information conveyed via the front panel display. Dual-tuner timer recording is tested by programming events; after the end of the third event, he checks to see which events were successfully recorded on the internal hard drive. Scott looks at the options for storing, renaming, changing thumbnails where they exist, deleting, searching, protecting and a number of other functions that relate to managing recorded programs.
Reception Each model is tested to determine the relative performance of its HD tuners. The DVRs are initially provided with a perfect digital TV reception signal. Various forms of interference are then introduced to replicate problems likely to be encounted in a normal situation, such as aeroplanes, wireless home networks or a microwave operating nearby. A recording made to the internal HDD is played back and compared with a digital TV broadcast to determine whether any variation in quality is noticeable. All models include the latest firmware upgrades available at the time of testing.
Remote control
Scott assesses the remote control to determine how easy it is to use for common functions. As many of these models have few controls on the front panel, the remote becomes an integral part of the functionality of the unit.
Standby power
He connects the DVRs to a regulated power supply and power meter, and records standby energy consumption. Products that use more than 10W score 0%.
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