The Pioneer DVR-810H DVD recorder --- a glorified TiVo???

Most people want an easy-to-use DVD recorder that would let them capture shows to disc (like TiVo and Replay TV) with a minimal hassle. This DVD recorder, like the Panasonic, has combined a TiVo-powered hard drive recorder with its DVD recorder.

The main difference between the two competing machines is that the Pioneer DVR-810H DVD recorder uses a true TiVo powered system. If you are familiar with TiVo you WOULD know the difference.

This DVD recorder gives a real-time onscreen electronic programming guide (EPG) that enables you to pause and rewind live TV. You can capture up to 80 hours of material on its 80GB internal hard disk and of course like the Pannies you can play back one show while recording another.

This Pioneer DVD recorder includes free TiVo Basic service (unfortunately it's unavailable in the UK) you'll go 3 days in EPGs programming instead of 14 days out, no Season Pass feature for easy recording all the episodes of your favorite show, and no ability to generate wish lists of genres, stars, or titles. If you want to you can upgrade to TiVo Plus ($13 per month or a $300 lump sum).

The Pioneer DVR-810H DVD recorder has combined all of this with a DVD burner. I’ll tell you right off that this Pioneer DVR-810H DVD recorder is more expensive than other DVRs and also lacks a FireWire input for digital camcorder interfacing. Despite these drawbacks, this DVD recorder is worth considering.

This machine has a center disc tray with a read out on the bottom its face that displays status information and the timer. I feel a nicely designed remote is important. They’ve done a nice job here. The operation is intuitive and comfortable.

The Pioneer DVR-810H DVD recorder’s remote control is a modified TiVo wand that has a few more keys for DVD functionality. Additionally, if you choose, you can program the remote to control the power to a variety of televisions as well as your cable or satellite box.

The Pioneer DVR-810H DVD recorder has a nicely designed remote. A DVD recorder’s operating menu can be critical. The Pioneer DVR-810H DVD recorder uses a TiVo onscreen interface that controls DVD recording, playback and setup. The menu has an intuitive design and is easier to use than the similarly featured Panasonic DVD recorder.

While this Pioneer DVD recorder has all the great DVR functions that made TiVo a household name the Pioneer DVR-810H DVD recorder review found that you cannot edit out recordings (like TV commercials). Well if you have a DVD writer on your PC, then burn the disc on the Pioneer DVR-810H, copy those files onto the PC, use editing software there and then re-burn disc you can edit.

It should be noted that the Panasonics have editing ability. This is VERY important. Additionally, as mentioned before, there’s no FireWire connection to interface with digital cameras.

The ads on the TIVO boxes promise 80 hours but the Pioneer DVR-810H DVD recorder review found picture quality degraded on the max setting. You will need to use the HIGH setting (HIGH is better picture quality than the EP on a VHS).

There are plenty of connections. There are two sets for composite and S-Video A/V, along with one RF hookup. There is an optical digital-audio jack and the ability to send progressive-scan component video. For the EPGs there’s a telephone jack that handles dial-up updates, while a USB port enables Ethernet or Wi-Fi access via a third-party networking adapter.

The Pioneer DVR-810H accepts TV signals on a standard RF coaxial cable, a composite A/V input, or an S-Video connection. A second composite A/V in doesn't have S-Video but allows the recorder to burn DVDs of VCR and camcorder material.