HD Video Recorder

Whether you view your HDTV programming from cable or satellite, your options for digital video recorders have never been better. DirecTV viewers can try out the HR20 model–it ditches the true TiVo user interface, but it’s capable of receiving DirecTV’s massive lineup of HD channels. Dish viewers can opt for the ViP722, which can offload recorded videos to compatible PocketDish devices and feed a second TV with live and recorded video simultaneously. Cable viewers can go for the TiVo HD, which adds a variety of impressive online and home networking features in addition to its TV recording functions. All of the products listed are multituner models, so you can record two programs simultaneously (the Dish Network ViP722 can actually handle three incoming streams). Each also includes antenna connections, so you can pull in all your local HD channels over the air.

Not shown are the variety of “free” HD DVRs you can get from your cable company. The cable alternatives will likely lack the slick interface and many of the extra features available on most of the TiVo and satellite models, but aside from a nominal monthly fee and possibly a one-time setup charge, they won’t cost you anything up front.