1. Dish Network ViP722 HD DVR
Editors' rating: 8.7
The good: 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; 30-second commercial skip; exceedingly quick response time; well-designed, highly customizable interface; search function includes history; superb remote; impressive image quality; USB port enables connections to portable media players and external hard drives to expand storage capacity.
The bad: 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 functionality.
The bottom line: The Dish Network ViP622 and 722 are among the most fully featured and versatile high-def DVRs you can buy today.
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