Philips DSR6000R DIRECTV Receiver with TiVo Service

by Philips

Product Details

• Shipping Weight: 17 pounds
• Shipping: This item is also available for shipping to select countries outside the U.S.
• Shipping Advisory: This item must be shipped separately from other items in your order. Additional shipping charges will not apply.
• ASIN: B000050XL7
• Item model number: DSR6000
• Average Customer Review: 3.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (95 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #138,324 in Electronics (See Top 100 in Electronics)
• Discontinued by manufacturer: Yes

Product Description

Amazon.com Review

While you probably have one or more personal computers and may own a personal digital assistant, you might not know about personal digital video recorders, or DVRs. Well, all that's about to change, because DVRs are reshaping TV in a big way.

At their most basic, DVRs are glorified VCRs, but instead of storing audio and video on magnetic tape, they digitally record and store TV programs onto a hard disk drive, like a computer (but with much better resolution than those video clips that people sometimes send as e-mail attachments). The Philips DSR6000 DIRECTV Receiver with TiVo Service represents a new generation of DVR, combining AV recording services with duty as a DIRECTV satellite receiver, delivering up to 225 channels and special pay-per-view programs. It also uses TiVo proprietary software and services, which it downloads over an analog phone line.

The DSR6000 houses a massive, 40 GB hard drive that stores up to 35 hours of audio and video. You'll need a satellite dish to get started, in addition to your TV and the equipment supplied with the DSR6000. The DSR6000 is equipped with two satellite inputs, each compatible with DIRECTV. Only the first input is currently usable, but that's about to change.

If you don't already have a DIRECTV satellite dish (as you would if you were upgrading from an older DIRECTV receiver or buying the DSR6000 for use in another room), we strongly recommend you purchase a DIRECTV satellite dish with dual LNB capability. Dual LNB simply refers to the number of different signals a dish can send to your audio-video equipment. A dual LNB dish has two jacks or connectors inside the arm extending from the dish, while a single LNB, for example, has just one.

If you currently have a single LNB DIRECTV dish and want access to these changes as soon as they become available, an authorized installer can upgrade your dish (please call DIRECTV for more information at 1-800-347-3288 or visit them online at www.directv.com). If you don't know what LNB format you have, we recommend checking with an authorized installer, as you can't determine the LNB format by counting the number of arms pointing back to the dish.

You'll also need an analog phone jack to receive TiVo's services and to transfer data to the DSR6000. A 50-foot RJ-11 phone cord and telephone line splitter are included, so the receiver can share a single wall jack with a phone, if needed.

The DSR6000 automatically makes a daily call to TiVo at no cost to you. This call won't interrupt your phone calls or Internet connection, and the receiver is compatible with Call Waiting, Voice Messaging, and Caller ID. However, it's important to note that the DSR6000 must never be connected to a digital PBX phone system. Doing so may permanently damage the modem. It also voids your warranty.

Out of the box and in your hands, you'll immediately notice the substantial weight of the DSR6000; it's clearly built for performance. A robust "jack pack" lets you connect your TV and a range of audio-video components with this receiver, including a VCR, DVD player, and/or a game center.

Audio-video connections include an S-video output (cable supplied) and an optical digital-audio output (cable not included) for state-of-the-art video and audio. Two analog-audio stereo and composite-video outputs (cables supplied) offer extended connectivity with conventional equipment, while infrared (IR) and serial outputs are offered for future upgrades. An RF (CATV) output with channel switch (cable included) and a VHF/UHF input (for an antenna or an older VCR) complete the package.

Worried that the resolution of the TiVo storage will compromise the quality of your recordings? Don't be. Unlike a VCR, the DSR6000 gives you exactly what you put in. That's because the video signal from DIRECTV is digital, allowing the DSR6000 to write the satellite signal's ones and zeros directly to its hard drive. In addition, the DSR6000--like DIRECTV--is Dolby Digital and Dolby Pro Logic compatible so you can enjoy your TV in surround sound when you route the audio output to your surround receiver.

The Philips DSR6000 also offers software programming and graphical user interfaces (GUIs). It's the first DVR to bring TiVo Version 2.0 software to the public, offering several improvements over previous releases, such as enhanced search features that can do keyword program searches, and an overtime scheduler that lets you add a buffer to the end of your recording--so you don't miss recording the play of the century just because it occurred in overtime.

Installation is a snap; the DSR6000's onscreen menus walk you through the process. Philips includes most of the accessories needed, along with a user-friendly suite of manuals. In addition, we tried out the customer support on three occasions during peak hours. Our wait never exceeded 60 seconds, and the Philips service solutions group on the other end of the phone was informed and helpful.

A DVR like the DSR6000 gives you unparalleled control over your viewing. First off, any time you're watching TV, a 30-minute recording buffer is always in action, letting you pause live TV--the image freezes when you hit pause, but the hard disk keeps recording. When you resume playback, the recording now stored on the hard disk picks up where you left off. So if the phone rings or the kids can't wait, you won't miss a moment of your show. You can pick up right where you left-off, skip the commercials that ran while you were with your family, and you may even end up finishing the program on schedule.

For sports fans, nothing rivals instant replay of live TV. Say you just watched an incredible triple play. With TiVo, you don't have to wait for the network's replay. Just replay it on the DSR6000. You can watch in slow motion or frame-by-frame and still catch up to the network's replay.

Both TiVo and DIRECTV offer several convenient features--status bars, channel banners, programming schedules, Wish Lists, recording archives, and more--that make TV watching easier than ever. And you can toggle between either system's features, using those you like best.

TiVo includes a search feature that lets you find programming based on theme, actor, time, date, etc. A programmable parental lock lets you guide your child's TV viewing. A clever thumbs-up/thumbs-down feature can track your viewing likes and dislikes. TiVo uses this data to search out and recommend new programs that you might enjoy.

You can record a lot of programs on the DSR6000's hard drive. TiVo manages these in a storage cache called Now Playing. You can select a recording from Now Playing and watch it, even if it's recording. You can also opt for the Season Pass feature and record an entire TV series. You can even set TiVo to record first-run shows only, ignoring the repeats. As the DSR6000's disk space fills, TiVo helps you manage it.

DIRECTV delivers a staggering range of program offerings into your home--up to 225 channels including music channels. Its video quality is equally outstanding. DIRECTV displays program schedules 14 days in advance, which is great for planning recording time or if you travel a lot. If an alternative audio track is available, DIRECTV also lets you listen to both TV programs and movies in other languages.

Among the best features of both DIRECTV and TiVo are their special programs. DIRECTV offers DIRECT TICKET, pay-per-view programming that you'll find nowhere else. TiVo offers its own television magazine called Tivolution, featuring one-of-a kind interviews, movie reviews, and special previews, as well as TiVo Takes with tips and programming updates for viewers.

Philips's DSR6000 DIRECTV Receiver with TiVo Service not only reshapes your TV viewing, it rethinks it, ultimately letting you create your own network. --Heidi Wartelle

Amazon.com Product Description

There are some terms and conditions with the purchase of this product. There is a limit of one DIRECTV system purchase and installation per customer. Only new residential DIRECTV customers may purchase a system. Buying this item signifies agreement to sign up for one year of DIRECTV programming. receivers must be activated within 45 days by calling (800) DIRECTV [[phone]]. Failure to activate service (or canceling service within one year of subscribing) may result in a $250 charge to the credit card used for the purchase. All returned systems and receivers will be inspected for original parts and access cards. If a receiver is returned without its access card, a $125 restocking fee may be charged to the credit card used for the purchase.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

152 of 154 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Another Chapter In The Tivolution!, November 10, 2000

By 

RGB - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philips DSR6000R DIRECTV Receiver with TiVo Service (Electronics)

For the record, let me just say that I have had a Tivo recorder since it was first made available to the public (mailorder only --- about a year and a half ago). This is a great machine and the software and services keep getting better and better!Now I have purchased the new DSR6000. From the other reviews you know about many of the great features and cool things you can do with Tivo.Now for a few things you may not know or should at least be aware of:1) This is not a Tivo Box. It is a DirecTV satellite receiver with Tivo. If you need cable or antenna inputs --- you can only view these sources --- NOT RECORD.2) With this unit you cannot set the recording quality ( the editorial above is in error ). The unit automatically varies the compression rate according to the type of material you are watching --- action movies require more space than a talk show. The picture quality is very good and it seems to be able to record more than my old tivo with a set compression rate.3) Guided setup is a breeze since all program guide information is downloaded from the satellite. Only the Network Showcases and Tivolution Magazine is retrieved via the phone line.4)WARNING: If you receive your local channels through DirecTV be aware that guide information of CBS and ABC are not being downloaded to the guide at this time. All you will see is "To Be Announced". DirecTV is aware of the problem (so they tell me) and are working to resolve it ASAP.5) There is "audio popping" that occurs at random. It usually seems to happen when moving from one menu screen to another.6) There are great new features such as Wishlists that let you find and autorecord programs based on keywords, directors, and actors.Also, the Season Pass just became alot smarter. Now you can tell it whether you want repeats or just first run and the maximum number of episodes you want to record in a week. There are many other additions/improvements -- to numeous to mention.IN CLOSING --- I just want to say this IS the next chapter in the Tivo revolution/evolution. This is a great machine with alot of new features. Remember this is new software for Tivo and there are still a few refinements that need to be made. If you can look beyond a few bugs (that will be corrected soon) --- come join the TIVOlution revolution!Thanks, I hope this helps.

148 of 150 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tivo but not quite Tivo, October 13, 2000

By 

Joe West (Albuquerque NM) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philips DSR6000R DIRECTV Receiver with TiVo Service (Electronics)

I've had the DSR-6000 for a couple of weeks now, and I love it. As long as you think of it as not a Tivo, and more like the ultimate DirectTV receiver, you will be happy. It does everthing a standalone Tivo does, EXCEPT, you cannot record anything but DirectTV. No cable, no antenna, just the satellite. If you CAN get your local channels from DirectTV, you are set, run, don't walk, to get this receiver! If you get your locals from cable or an antenna, you are out of luck, you will still need a regular VCR to record ABC, NBC, FOX, WB, and CBS network programming. That said, your Tivo will work awesome on the hundreds of DirectTV channels. You can pause live TV, set it to record episodes of you favorite shows, movies with you favorite actors, movies with Dolby Digital 5.1 surround sound, etc. It holds up to 35 hours of shows you have told it to record in perfect digital quality, PLUS shows it thinks you might like based on the type of shows you have told it to record, or by giving it Thumbs Up and Thumbs Down on shows in the channel guide. So that is your choice, awesome convenience with the DirectTV channels, but no local channel recording. For me, I think it is worth it.

90 of 90 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Tivo your life !!, December 22, 2001

By 

sonytoao (Silver Spring, MD USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Philips DSR6000R DIRECTV Receiver with TiVo Service (Electronics)

I own three tivos: a standalone, a Hughes GXCEBOT DirecTivo and now a Philips DSR6000. I have been pleased with all three models and love how Tivo lets me watch TV on my own schedule, not the networks'. For those who are switching from a regular Directv receiver or are new to satellite service altogether, a few caveats:

1) All three DirecTivos (Hughes, Philips, Sony) perform the same. The only differences are external - the Hughes and Sony are silver and the Sony has a control link to control Sony VCRs. So buy the one that fits best with your home theater system.

2) The DTivos currently (as of 12/01) in stores have software ver. 2.01; to use the two tuner functionality, you need only force a daily call (or two) after you finish the guided setup - the installation manual explains this simple process - and wa - la!! Ver. 2.5 will download and a new message from Tivo will tell you how to activate the dual tuner functions. No sweat!!

3) The DirecTivo online guide is slower than those of the regular Directv receivers. Don't worry, you'll get used to it and as you begin to use the Tivo more and more, find that you surf less and less. Alot of your TV viewing will be recordings the Tivo or you have made.

4) The Philips DSR6000 runs hot!! (That's why I gave it four and not five stars). Don't stack it with another component and make sure you have adequate head and side room in any rack system you put it in. Otherwise, the fan will run continuously and might annoy you.

5) The DTivos, like the standalones (and unlike Ultimate TV) can be expanded to add additional hard disk storage. So, you can upgrade your 35 hour DTivo to 80 hours, 100 hours, 160 hours,... it's up to you. All you need is a little PC knowledge and some gall...

6)...you can only use the DTivos to record satellite TV; they won't work with cable or local broadcast TV (buy a standalone Tivo for that). But as of 12/27/01, nearly all your local channels are "must carry" for Directv. (Go to their website to see which locals you can get via the satellite).

A final piece of advice: if you're thinking about buying this product...read the FAQs and discussion threads - it may save you some frustration or disappointment if the product is not what you expected and will help you with any setup questions you may have, like "do I need a multiswitch and which one should I buy?" It's also a great way to pick up tips and tricks about how to make your Tivo viewing more pleasurable.

If you can't Tivo your life, then at least Tivo your television ;-) Good luck and enjoy!!