Channel Master has just updated their DVR+ line with a $400 model that houses a roomy 1TB internal drive – versus the original’s bring-your-own USB storage approach that requires more clutter, more complexity. We quite like the DVR+ and believe it’s a solid option for those seeking an over-the-air recorder and coming from VCR or new to DVR (whereas we suggest Tablo to our more geeky peers). The dual tuning DVR+ is super slim and super quiet, without a fan, and comes in cheaper than the competition. While the $200 TiVo Roamio may do more, with more polish, it also clocks in several hundred dollars more when considering the service fees. And, beyond Vudu, the fee-free Channel Master DVR+ intends to close the gap with several well-known audio and video apps in the pipeline “along with some other surprises for later this year.”
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Good to see this progress. Someday when I cancel my cable TV service, this might be a viable option. Great if it adds a bunch of OTT services like Vudu but not a deal breaker. The potential deal-breaker is that I don't see a way to access this remotely?
I mean the base-model TiVo Roamio isn't a Roamio at all since it doesn't support TiVo Stream like capabilities though you can add those by buying a stream. Or you can hook it up to a Slingbox using the analog outputs.
But there aren't any analog outputs on the DVR+. I understand why of course, since the majority of their users don't need them, and it would cost money, and take up space which is a problem given the slim profile. Etc. But is there any way to hook up a Slingbox to a HDMI output? Anybody?
Yeah, right now no extenders or streaming. You can manually offload shows from the USB drive but probably too tedious and old school for us. They recommend the Slingbox 500 (with HDMI pass-thru) for streaming at the moment, but that's a pricey upgrade at $300 MSRP.
Dave,
Do you have that unit, and does it still support an external drive? I'm just assuming here, but if they're coming out with more apps that probably explains the need for more internal storage.
Thanks