Macopinion

Tivo versus DirecTV HDDVR, Part 9

by Marc Zeedar macopinion@designwrite.com

Conclusion
Well, we're finally finished with my somewhat exhaustive (exhausting?) comparison of Tivo and DirecTV HDDVR. I've tried to focus on the user interface differences which I find fascinating. After all, these devices do essentially the same thing, but don't necessarily do things in exactly the same manner. The results are subtle and create the "feel" for the device.

First, let's look at the tally.

Category	Tivo	DirecTV
On-Screen Graphics	-	x
Guide	x
Show Information	x	-
Commercial Skipping	x	x
Managing Programs	x	-
Managing Schedules	x	x
Searching for Programs	x	-
Playing Video	x	-
Extra Features	x	-
Digital Downloads	x	-
Shortcuts / Speed of Use	x	-
Advertising	-	x
Total Wins:	10	4

Now this looks like a blow-out on the surface, but honestly, most of the differences are subtle. Casual users wouldn't notice, nor would people who've never used a Tivo. Even I, a power Tivo user, am pretty satisfied with my DirecTV HDDVR. The benefits outweigh most of the limitations. Tivo isn't perfect, either.

One interesting area will be to see how DirecTV and Tivo improve their devices in the future. For years Tivo has improved their product and added features for free; theoretically DirecTV can do the same. Since most of the flaws are software-related, these things should just get better and better.

The bottom line is that Tivo is still the best DVR, but DirecTV is not far behind. They've made a surprisingly decent product. There are many commendable things about it, and some features I really like. Of course the best thing is the high-definition picture -- but Tivo does make HD Tivos (unfortunately, they don't work with satellite TV, which is why I couldn't go that route).

I had expected to be frustrated with my HDDVR every time I had to use it. But other than a few annoying drawbacks (the most frequent is the slow fast-forward), I real like using it. I'm sure part of my pleasure is the awesome picture quality and just the fact that the interface is new and different, which is interesting, but the truth is that even with a DVR, which requires a sophisticated interface, you still spend 90% of your time merely watching video and not manipulating the device. In that regard, both are indistinguishable when video is playing (I'm assuming similar quality, of course, as if I was comparing an HD Tivo to the DTV HDDVR).

macopinion@designwrite.com