Pioneer DVR-810H (80 GB) DVD Recorder

We have seen a lot of things combined in the past few years. Cell phones and cameras, for instance. Or PDA's and cell phones. Cameras and video recorders. It is a wonder that it took so long for a company to capitalize on the combination of a DVD player/recorder and a Tivo- like machine.

Well, Pioneer saw the need and has capitalized on the opening with the rollout of the Pioneer DVR-810H DVD Recorder/Player. After the first few uses, I would say they have done a great job and it is about time. My neighbor is the actual owner and I must say that I am spending so much time next door that his wife is probably ready to throw me out. Either that or she is ready to throw the DVR-810H out the door. Heck, maybe both of us.


THE SPECIFICS:

* 3.7" x 15.4" x 16.5" in size
* 80 GB hard drive
* Dolby digital and surround sound
* MP3 capable
* Seven outputs and five inputs
* One year part and labor warranty
* Comes with basic Tivo plan
* Ability to record up to 80 hours
* Media capability: DVD-Video/DVD-R/DVD-RW/CD/CD-R/CD-RW


I am no expert when it comes to the technical stuff that goes along with electronics reviews. However, I do know what works and what does not and am able to put the information in terms that I hope everyone can understand. Basically, do not expect to see me trying to explain the inner workings.

WHAT I LIKE:

1. Hallelujah! Pioneer has hit a home run with this one. They have combined the best of Tivo with the best of a DVD player/recorder. So now you can record what you like and burn the copy onto a disc for playback for as long as you like. Yet, you can do this at your own convenience, thanks to the ability to Tivo the show. What a wonderful concept and one thatI am surprised took so long to come up with.

2. You do not have to subscribe to Tivo or pay a fee for start up. The Tivo services are included in the price of the Pioneer system. This means no monthly fees and no hook up fee. A huge plus. You do have the ability to upgrade from the basic Tivo service to the Basic Plus service if you choose to do so. I have the basic service and am not all that familiar with what the Plus service consists of. By the way, as of this writing, Pioneer and Tivo are exclusive partners in this deal.

3. The 80GB hard drive provides the ability to record up to 80 hours of shows for viewing at your convenience. In other words, you are in control of the TV. You simply record a show- cable, TV, satellite, on/off air- and then control it. You have all of the abilities that you would have with a DVD or VCR- fast forward, reverse, pause, etc. You can record shows when the TV is not even on and can set the recorder for two weeks in advance in order to get your favorite show all the time. Tivo provides the ability to do a lot things that you could never previously do with a TV, but have always wanted to and now can do.

4. So, what do you do with those shows that you record? You can play them and delete them. Or, if you come across a favorite, you can burn the show onto a DVD-R or DVD-RW and watch it many times in the future. By burning the show onto a disc you are essentially taping it until you decide to do away with it. Best of all is that you can burn an hour show in about three minutes due to the 18x record speed. The show is kept in digital format and available for playback whenever you want to see it.

5. The system is very easy to set up and use. My neighbor is not a fan of reading directions when it comes time to setting up things. Hence, it is always a joy when something arrives that is easy to set up and with minimal directions. Now I am not saying that the DVR-810H necessarily has few directions, but they are relatively easy to follow and helpful. My neighbor was up and running in about 45 minutes, but it did take a little while longer to figure everything out. From what he told me, you sort of learn as you go, or you can follow the directions closely. Either way will work.

6. A lot of people are a little scared of what burning a DVD really means? Will they be able to do it? How tough will it be? The answer with the DVR-810H is you cannot possibly mess this up. Heck, I would let my parents try without a tutorial. You simply click once and then a second time in order to confirm. That is it. Burning a DVD could not be easier.

7. Pioneer has always been good to me. I have always had great experiences with the Pioneer brand. My first car stereo was a Pioneer and I have gone through a couple of sound systems since then. The company makes quality systems and always feature a great sound. Nothing is different with the DVR-810H.

8. The sound and picture are both excellent. The sound is a result of the Dolby surround sound speakers and digital technology. My neighbor has four additional speakers hooked up to his system and it sounds as if you are in a theater. Amazing. The picture is pretty good as well, but that is to be expected.


WHAT I DO NOT LIKE:

1. You might wait on hold for the Tivo service people for an entire weekend. The first night the neighbors had the DVR-810H they had us over. The system would not record so we called the Tivo help line and waited and waited and waited. After about 45 minutes we figured out the problem and were able to get off hold. I do not know if this was a once and done problem with Tivo, but my guess is that this is a frequent happening.

2. You cannot edit out the commercials. Ok, this surprised me in a big way. I have always loved Tivo because of the ability to edit out the commercials and watch an hour show in 40 minutes. I do not know why this service does not provide the ability to skip the ads, but sure wish it would. You can still skip over them quickly, but it would be nice to not have to even know that they existed.

3. The system is expensive, but one thing to keep in mind is that there are no ongoing fees and none of the other fees that are associated with Tivo. In other words, you are paying for the system and Tivo service upfront, rather than as you go. One thing to keep in mind is that the price is down something like 30% from where it was when it first came out. Regardless, it is still expensive.


THE BOTTOM LINE:

The bottom line is that this is a great idea and one that works very well. Why do I consider myself expert enough to write about the DVR-810H when it is my owner who has the system? Because I spend so much time next door with him viewing and recording and playing the shows that we both seem to enjoy. That would mean a lot of sporting events and shows that we do not want the wives to know we watch.

The bottom line with the DVR-810H is that it does have a few bugs, but by and large it is a great piece of equipment that I highly recommend. However, I would suggest to Pioneer and Tivo that in order to make the DVR-810H even better, find a way to remove the ads like you can with normal Tivo. The ability to do so is such a huge selling point.