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When the DVR hit five years ago, it freed a nation of prime-time television slaves and had network execs quaking in their suits. The savvy set-top delivered the ease of programming that VCR makers had only dreamed of. Fast-forward to 2004. The second-gen DVR still warps time to revisit titillating Super Bowl performances and to grab series finales that coincide with, say, anniversary dinners. It also offers advanced features like networking, media streaming, and some ultrasophisticated search and recording options. But can the DVR become a multifaceted media hub and maintain its user-friendliness? We put the top models head-to-head to find out. - Brian Lam
A NOTE ON TESTING
• Platforms, not devices DVRs are available in a wide range of capacities and configurations. Our tests compared platforms rather than individual machines.
WHAT TO LOOK FOR
• Intuitive interface The primary requirement of a DVR is that it be so easy to use that you actually use it. Changing channels, setting up recordings, and scanning show guides should be second nature.
• Recording options All DVRs will capture your favorite shows by title. The best models automatically search for - and record - multiple programs based on keywords like "baseball." ReplayTV calls this function Themes; TiVo calls it Wishlists. Media Center and Telly don't have it.
• Remote scheduling Forget to lock in programming before heading out of town? If you have TiVo, ReplayTV, or Telly, it's no problem - you can do it over the Web.
TiVo Series2
Well-designed digital recorders are like experienced waiters - they serve up your order and disappear while you consume it. TiVo's graceful interface makes it a snap to program, leaving you plenty of time to savor your shows. A lot of TiVo's slickness stems from the remote's four-way thumbpad, which eliminates the ol' hunt-and-peck. Likewise, the TiVo guide makes ingenious use of screen space; it shows hours of programming for a single channel, not the common short-term view of multiple stations. The design is so unobtrusive that we don't care that the TiVo's video and audio aren't as stunning as Replay's.
What's for dessert? TiVo's new broadband functions. Sure, MP3 streaming is tedious while browsing scores of songs. But the ability to share shows with other TiVos on a network and schedule recordings from a Web browser anywhere are wonderful additions to this already wondrous machine. Even so, it's hard to recommend TiVo over ReplayTV or vice versa. Replay's video quality is superior, but TiVo's interface is unbeatable. Ultimately, we picked TiVo.
Wired: Elegant interface. Stable OS. Thoughtfully designed remote. Scheduling via Web.
Tired: Requires an external adapter for broadband Internet access. Lower-quality video than ReplayTV.
$200, plus $13 per month, www.tivo.com
ReplayTV 5500 Series
Wired: Superb video quality. Component video and digital audio outputs. One-button commercial-skipping. Built-in broadband support. Multiple ReplayTVs on a network can share shows and recording duties.
Tired: Interface is a bit clunkier than TiVo's.
$150, plus $13 per month, www.replaytv.com
Microsoft Media Center PC
Wired: Best DVR for playing music and hosting photo slideshows. No service fees. Built on Windows XP, it can do anything a PC can.
Tired: Main XP interface is hard to use on a run-of-the-mill TV. Can't manage MP3 playlists with the remote. Very expensive.
$1,800, www.alienware.com
Interact TV-Telly
Wired: No digital rights management: rips CDs and DVDs to hard drive via DVD drive. Built-in Web server trades content with any computer on your network. Remote scheduling. No service fees.
Tired: Pricey. Crashes frequently. Lackluster, awkward operating system.
$750, www.interact-tv.com
It's hard to film spontaneous action if your camcorder's sheer heft has forced you to leave it behind. These tiny moviemakers fit in a pocket so you're always ready. All shoot stills and MPEG-4 video. - Cathy Lu
Sanyo Fisher FVD-C1
Wired: Sharp, colorful videos and stills. 512-Mbyte SD card included. 5.8X optical zoom.
Tired: At 6.1 ounces, it's not the lightest of the bunch - better get out your cargo pants.
Great video, stellar photos, and intuitive handling that doesn't make you contort your fingers into funky positions - this cam does it all. The richness of Sanyo's MPEG-4 video far exceeds that of its competitors, and the 3.2-megapixel still function delivers crisp, colorful shots. Switch between photo and video modes in an instant (there are separate buttons for each), so you won't miss a second of your spouse salsa-dancing on the table in Barcelona.
$900, www.fisherav.com
Panasonic SV-AV50S
Wired: At 4.2 ounces, it's the lightest shooter in this crowd. Snaps vivid 2-megapixel pics. Plays MP3s and records voice. Cool flip-out design.
Tired: Blurry MPEG-4 is reminiscent of bad Web video. Lens placement means that fingers or the neck strap often end up in frame.
$400, www.panasonic.com
Mustek DV4000
Wired: MPEG-4 and still quality ain't bad for the price. Plays MP3s and records voice. Weighs just 4.3 ounces.
Tired: Highlights and shadows lack detail. Video shows artifacting. Confusing interface.
$200, www.mustek.com
Aiptek Pocket DV4500
Wired: Plays MP3s and does voice recording.
Tired: Substandard picture quality. Heavy at 7.1 ounces. 16-Mbyte internal memory is limiting (but there's an SD slot). Record button is poorly placed. Big, square, unattractive design looks as dated as Burt Reynolds.
$150, www.aiptek.com
A couple years ago, making inexpensive calls over the Internet required a clunky headset and a PC. Now Vonage - the new standards-setter in voice over IP - connects your existing handset to your broadband service through a small Motorola or Cisco adapter. You can hang up on local providers and long distance carriers for good. And it works as advertised: Pick up your phone, get a dial tone. Thirty bucks per month (plus activation fees) buys unlimited calls within the US and Canada, and international calls start at a rock-bottom 3 cents per minute. - Gordon Bass
EASY TO SET UP
You need high-speed cable or DSL Internet access and a touch tone phone. The telephone adapter conveniently autoconfigures when you first plug it in.
SAVES CASH
Voicemail, caller ID, call-waiting, even that three-way calling feature you've never used - they're all part of the package. Say good-bye to bill bloat.
KEEPS YOU DIALED IN
Remotely manage your account from any PC: Set a forwarding number, change your outgoing message, and even retrieve voicemail.
Wired: Bids an overdue adieu to long distance carriers, inane calling plans, and indecipherable bills.
Tired: In some cases, Vonage must assign you a new number. Alarmingly, dialing 911 doesn't work during power outages.
$15 and up per month, www.vonage.com
The odd European sport of cyclocross has bred the ultimate city bike. These cycles look like road racers, but have knobby tires and powerful brakes. They'll stand up to curbs, potholes, and even off-road forays in the park. - Ben Hewitt
Bianchi Cross Concept
Wired: Ride is Eldorado smooth yet Corvette quick. Mavic Ksyrium Elite wheels are lighter than a Zippo and roll much better. Features high-quality Shimano Ultegra shifters.
Tired: Expensive (for a less pricey Bianchi, check out the Axis).
$2,349, www.bianchiusa.com
Cannondale Cyclocross Disc
Wired: Burly aluminum frame and fork are responsive and surprisingly comfortable over rough roads. Disc brakes offer optimum stopping power.
Tired: Disc brakes and US manufacturing drive price up. The front chainring is a bit small for daily use.
$1,499, www.cannondale.com
LeMond Poprad
Wired: Steel frame delivers a uniquely sweet, smooth ride. Brakes stop on a dime. Good components.
Tired: Over rough terrain, aluminum front fork vibrates like a cheap motel bed. Heavier than the competition's aluminum frames.
$1,050, www.lemondbikes.com
Kona Jake
Wired: Mounts for touring racks make Jake ready to hit the long and winding road. Steel fork helps soak up bad vibes.
Tired: Shimano Sora and Tiagra shifting components can be a bit balky.
$749, www.konaworld.com
Sing it loud! These portable party machines are packed with hundreds of songs, provide onscreen lyrics, and support optional duet mikes. They'll keep you crooning till dawn. Earplugs for neighbors sold separately. - B.L.
Leadsinger LS-3000
Wired: Fifteen expansion chips - possible 2,750-song library. Performance scoring. FM transmitter for car karaoke. Second mike is wireless.
Tired: Only 300 songs are built in; extra chips cost $70 to $90 each.
$190, duet mike $100, www.leadsinger.com
Enter-tech Magic Sing-Along V
Wired: More than 700 built-in songs provide about three hours' worth of A-list choices. Voice recording. Performance scoring. Wireless second mike.
Tired: Not much room to grow - it's hard to find expansion chips.
$340, duet mike $130, www.acekaraoke.com
Koritech Handy Star
Wired: Top-quality sound, thanks to a powerful polyphonic MIDI engine and MP3 playback function. Included 2,000-song library.
Tired: Only 1,000 songs have lyrics in English. Duet fans beware: The second mike isn't wireless.
$520, duet mike $129, www.dtskaraoke.com
TiVo Series2
Sanyo Fisher FVD-C1
Vontage voice over IP
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