I currently own a Sony DHG-HDD250 and it is on the brink. The unit freezes up during recordings and intermittently locks up to the point a cold reset is required. I have the latest firmware, I think I have just used it to death.

I need to buy a replacement. Will the Echostar TR-50 (DTVPal-DVR) suffice? What are the general differences between the two units, please.

I soley have OTA Antenna, no cable or satellite. Thank you very much!

-Michael

I currently own a Sony DHG-HDD250 and it is on the brink. The unit freezes up during recordings and intermittently locks up to the point a cold reset is required. I have the latest firmware, I think I have just used it to death.

I need to buy a replacement. Will the Echostar TR-50 (DTVPal-DVR) suffice? What are the general differences between the two units, please.

I soley have OTA Antenna, no cable or satellite. Thank you very much!

-Michael

Michael,

Read the Sony thread. There's a procedure you can do to fix the locking issues. I had the same exact problem and now my Sony works perfectly.

A few differences:

The Sony supports both OTA and cable, whereas the DTVPal DVR only supports OTA.


The Sony supports analog and digital channels, whereas the DTVPal DVR only supports digital channels.


The DTVPal DVR is a dual-tuner unit so you can watch one channel live while you record another; it also allows you to record two different shows simultaneously while you watch a third, previously recorded show. The Sony is a single-tuner unit -- you can't watch one channel while you record another and you can't record two different shows at the same time.


The Sony gives you the option to record only new episodes. The DTVPal DVR does not differentiate between new and repeat episodes. Edit: Neither DVR lets you record only new episodes and ignore repeats.


The DTVPal DVR has no advertisements. The Sony has advertisements.


The Sony UI is full of different graphics and channel logos. The DTVPal DVR is rather plain in comparison.


The DTVPal DVR can download firmware updates over the Internet using the built-in ethernet connection. The Sony does not have an ethernet connection; it is limited to whatever updates are available from local TVGoS broadcasters.


The DTVPal DVR supports MPEG-4 AVC and VC-1 for future services like Dish Network's VOD via ethernet. The Sony only supports MPEG-2.

Note the DTVPal DVR hasn't shipped yet so its software could still see some changes before release.

I agree with most of the list, but there isn't any "record only new" feature on the Sony. (or if there is, I've never come across it in all these years)

I agree with most of the list, but there isn't any "record only new" feature on the Sony. (or if there is, I've never come across it in all these years)Thanks, edited. Could have sworn there was.

All the non-subcription NTSC DVR's that I know of, have A/V input of some form. It appears the DTVPal DVR does not. IMHO that's a bit of an aw-shucks.

I need to buy a replacement. Will the Echostar TR-50 (DTVPal-DVR) suffice?

-MichaelNobody except a couple of beta testers who are sworn to secrecy have actually had one in their possession yet to review it, so there is no way to really know the answer to that.

Wait a couple of weeks and there should be more real-world info out there.