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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Replay 4160 -Almost Big Brother of the PVRS, March 5, 2002
The 4160 Replay unit has a shinier look than previous ReplayTV/ Panasonic models, making it the a sleak looking DVR. One of the best new features over the older models is the addition of control buttons on the actual unit, while the older models depended solely on the use of the remote. The Replay unit comes well apportioned with inputs and outputs and a very usable universal remote, not like the ones sitting around your house doing nothing. There are two sets of composite inputs(RCA), one RF antenna, and one S-Video input. The outputs are one digital audio, one component (through a VGA adapter), an S-Video, and two composite outputs. In order to use even the basic functions of the ReplayTV, you must have a broadband connection to register online. Once you've cleared that initial hurdle, you'll be ready to play. Even though it has a phone jack in the back this is disabled and may be enabled with future versions of the software. This unit is one the more expensive of the 4XXX series with a 160GB hard drive. It allows for 160 hours of storage at standard recording quality. There is only one other model of PVR that has more storage, the 4320, which offers as much as 320 hours of recording capacity. Of course, the amount of programming you can store depends on whether you record at the Standard, Medium, or High setting. At its best resolution, the 4040 holds around 56 hours worth of content. Using the 4160's high-resolution VGA connector, you can hook up the deck to a PC or to a TV's component input. You can even use a DLP or LCD projector with VGA inputs to enjoy ReplayTV at the 480p, semi-HDTV video resolution. One of the main features of this unit is its network capability. If you have a home network you can share shows with other Replay 4XXX units and you can share it with others outside of you home via the internet with the required broadband connection. With variables such as your ISP and connection along with those with whom you're sharing programming content with can mean that a single standard-level half-hour recording could take anywhere from two to eight hours to download. The internet interoperability also allows for you to program you Replay via a web interface called MyReplayTV.com. This however takes at most 24 hours for it be "synched' with your replay unit when "calls" in for updated programming schedules usually around 3-4 AM. Sonicblue says the 4000-series models will "soon" support direct, instant access so that you can set shows remotely to record on the fly. And they upgrade their software regularly. The best feature is the PVR's ability to filter out almost all commercials with a simple menu change. When it's recording in the Commercial Advance mode, the ReplayTV 4160 automatically skips from about one second into the first commercial to about five seconds before the program resumes, but you still may end up with a few commercials (it isn't perfect). I love my ReplayTV, there is great third party support ... for this unit just like TiVo that if you are so inclined to void your warranty can improve on this already great PVR. The only downside of this unit is its high price, but to many it is well worth it.
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