When I try to explain to my non-ReplayTV friends what having one is like, I tell them
"The difference between watching TV with the ReplayTV and using VCRs is like the difference between listening to music on CD vs cassette tapes. Would you go back to tapes? Neither would I, and equally so, I wouldn't go back to VCRs or regular "live" TV"
The "quality" is less of a measure than the features (I usually record on low-Q for space reasons). I used to record hours of TV on tape...and then have to do the linear shuffle to get to any show. If I wanted to watch the 3rd of 5 shows recorded, I'd really need to watch the 5th, then the 4th and then the 3rd just so I wouldn't have to spend umpteen minutes getting the tape ready to record something new. Random access to my shows, repeat record, finding preferred shows, actors, directors, etc....this is something I'd never give up.
No, the only reason I usually post is to see if someone can resolve a problem, but overall, I'm one of the primary endorsers for the RTV system. Truth be told, I didn't seek out this forum until I'd had my system for over a year...there was no need. What brought me here was not a problem, per se, but a desire to upgrade, and the "regular channels" were of no use. Now that I'm here, I wish I'd checked in earlier. Other people's problems are preventative maintenance for the rest of us.
So, short answer: I LOVE my ReplayTV, and I'd a)never go back and b)recommend it to my retired parents who can't stand anything "techie" because it's great, easy, a generation better than anything else, etc. etc. etc.
David
~Proud owner of 3 systems, despite the fact that one seems to have done the belly-up thing with stuttering (
see "stuttering to death" post )