Asin: B0000668I8
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Editorial Review

This is absolutely the best DIRECTV satellite receiver we have everreviewed. Although it has minor flaws, overall the RCA DWD490RE deserves to beat the top of your shopping list if you are looking to upgrade or buy your firstsystem.

Using this satellite receiver, you can record two shows simultaneously or watchone while recording another. Since it has a built-in 35-hour digital videorecorder (DVR), recording is effortless because all the controls are nicelyintegrated. Designers get our cheers for the clean onscreen layout and intuitiveoperation using the supplied remote or optional wireless keyboard. The newlydesigned onscreen guide offers up to 14 days of programming; less expensiveDIRECTV receivers go only as far out as 3 days. You simply highlight a show, gothrough two confirming steps and you're set to record.

Like the TiVo system, UltimateTV lets you control live TV. Since the hard driveis always recording, you can stop a show simply by hitting Pause on the remoteor keyboard. You can do whatever errands called you away, then continue viewing(the pause is guaranteed for 30 minutes). During playback, you can fast-forward(up to 300x) through the commercials--a true gift from the gods. Slow motion andreverse are also available. We found the fast-forward and slow-motion quality tobe superb, in contrast with those features on even the best VCRs. And therecording features of the DWD490RE proved to be quite handy, though we do haveone caveat; while you can record a current show or one scheduled for later,previously broadcast shows cannot be retrieved.

Since the receiver has two tuners, you can also watch two shows at once. Oneshow is full screen while the second is in a smaller picture-in-picture (PIP)window. Unfortunately, you cannot move this window from its lower rightposition, something high-quality TVs with two-tuner PIP have offered foryears.

The DWD490RE also offers the WebTV service, so you can surf the Net and watch aDIRECTV show in the smaller PIP window. WebTV has e-mail and chat (no instantmessaging yet) and parental blocks for screening objectionable sites. The built-in dial-up modem is 56K, making it a bit slow for someone used tobroadband (cable modem) connections.

Although the receiver works using a single RG-6 coaxial cable from the dish, youmust run two cables from a dish with a "dual feedhorn" in order to watch twoshows simultaneously. Feedhorns are devices on the front of dishes that capturesatellite signals. We had to swap out our older 18-inch dish for a newer ovaldish. The two cables were then connected to the back of the unit.

The receiver is a hefty 16.2 pounds and much larger (17 by 3 by 11 inches, WHD)than current DIRECTV receivers. Unlike other DIRECTV receivers, it has two smartcard slots on the front panel; one is supplied and is your DIRECTV/UltimateTVsecurity card. The second slot is for future uses such as gift cards, but we'veyet to be given information as to when they might arrive.

Like all satellite receivers, connections are straightforward. We're veterans atthis, but we checked the well-designed and illustrated setup and user guidesjust to be sure. It has a Dolby Digital output for hookup to a Dolby Digitalaudio-vide receiver to enjoy the cinema soundtracks found on some pay-per-viewand premium movies. The DWD490RE has a parallel printer port on the back butit's not enabled. There are two USB ports but they function only with keyboards,not other devices. Software downloads will eventually be delivered to enhancethese "ports to nowhere"; no timetables were given.

Once the DIRECTV and UltimateTV services were turned on via a toll-free call, itwas time to enjoy all the DWD490RE had to offer, which is plenty. In our view,as a video device for a home entertainment system, the RCA DWD490RE DIRECTVReceiver with UltimateTV Service is without equal. As an Internet access device,with a poky 56K modem, it leaves something to be desired. --David Elrich

Pros:

• A combo DIRECTV receiver/digital video recorder with Web access
• Two built-in DIRECTV tuners
• Excellent onscreen program guide (up to 14 days)
• Effortless recording up to 35 hours

Cons:

• Web service is slow (56 Kbps maximum)
• Picture-in-picture window cannot be moved
• Printer port not enabled
• USB ports work only with keyboards

Isbn: 0071577246
Sales Rank: 68018
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