ReplayTVBlog

Since DirecTV ended their relationship with Tivo in favor of making their own DVR, there was speculation that the DirecTV DVR would never measure up with the Tivo DVR. Now that we are getting close to the release of the new DirecTV DVR, details about this unit are beginning to show up on the Internet.

Over at TVPredictions.com, they have obtained a copy of the new DirecTV DVR manual. There are apparently some features that the DirecTV DVR has that may make it competitive with a Tivo DVR.

Looking over the list of new features, there are two in particular that stand out as features I’d like to see on my ReplayTV: Bookmarks and On-Screen Caller ID.

Bookmarks sound like a great feature that doesn’t currently exist on any other stand alone DVR. Basically, by pressing a bookmark button on the remote while watching a recorded program, you will bookmark that point in the show. From then on, anytime you watch that recording, you will be able to return to that bookmarked point in the show by just pressing a button on the remote. This will be great for those must watch scenes in recorded shows and movies that you want to be able to go back to without having to try and rewind or fast forward and stop when you see it.

On-Screen Caller ID is another feature that I would kill for on the ReplayTV. I don’t believe that any current stand alone DVRs have this feature, although I know that I’ve seen it on some DirecTV receivers. Great for when you’re watching TV and another telemarketer calls. No more having to pause your show and get up to check Caller ID on the phone — you can just continue watching your TV Program and ignore the phone since you know it is just another annoying telemarketer trying to get you to refinance your home mortgage for the millionth time!

While the feature list definitely looks impressive, it remains to be seen if these features are really on the new DirecTV DVR when it is released and how well they actually work.

Technorati Tags: Tivo, DirecTV, ReplayTV, DVR

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