Customer Reviews

RCA DVR10 High-Definition Digital Video Recorder

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Don't be misled by the product spin above. For those familiar with Tivo or Cable set-top DVR solutions, here are the major shortcomings of the DVR10 you need to know:

1) It ONLY records HD (ATSC), not VHF (NTSC) broadcasts.
2) The DVR10 has no built-in guide or interface enabling simple "press `n go" programming.
3) Programming future recordings is cumbersome and unreliable.
4) Recordings stop once you change the channel.
5) The control functions (rewind, pause, etc) are slow and temperamental.
6) The user must manually switch their TV input to access DVR10 recordings.
7) The DVR10 will likely stop working or re-boot your HD TV ...several times.

So, ask yourself how many HD channels you have, and why you would not want to record the other 90% of your cable line-up before you buy this product. Ask yourself why RCA chose to use a slow disk drive (only 5400 RPM) with low video buffer (only 2 MB) before you buy this product. Ask yourself if you want to re-live the "how do I program my VCR?" era all over again.

The DVR10 is a stop-gap HD VCR, and a step-back for consumers who want the more user-friendly, more useful DVR solutions you can get from Tivo or your local cable company. Please spare yourself from the cost and annoyance.

Issues with this product when used with a Mistubishi TV and OTA reception.
1. Stops recording
2. Misses recordings
3. Thinks there is a connection to TV when there is not one
4. Date time stamp incorrect for recordings
It is frustrating to use, because it does not work properly often. Then there are times it works as it should.
Technical issues aside, if you looking for TIVO or ReplayTV functionality, this is not for you. This is simple functionality similiar to a VCR, just no tapes and a hard drive instead. And there is limited capacity for HDTV only 9 hours.
I am waiting for a replacement unit from RCA to see if the technical issues are limited to my unit or if there is a general unreliability problem with this product.
If this product worked, it would be a stop gap until other products are on the market at a reasonable price.

This product seems like just the ticket for HD recording if you have a firewire-equipped television with an integrated ATSC tuner. Unfortunately, I paired the unit with a Samsung HL-R7178W and had no luck.

From reading all the literature, they seemed like a good match, but the TV would not take control of the box.

My recommendation would be to buy this ONLY if you have the recommended RCA television. Anything else would be hit-or-miss.