Recorder for Direct TV - NO TIVO!

[ruggerjvd]

Hi
I am looking for a simple recorder that will basically take the place of my VCR. I definitely do not want Tivo, as I don't want another monthly charge.

I would prefer something with a HD, so I don't have to mess around with blank media.

Direct TV has their Hughes receiver that I bought for $99, and the rep at Circuit City told me it would take the place of the existing receiver. However, the morons at Hughes didn't put any input capability, so I can't plug the DVD player in to it, and I don't want to have to pay for and install another box to switch between devices, not to mention one that I can't control from the remote.

Anyone know of anything that fills the bill at a reasonable price?

[EvilWizardGlick]

Walmarts Ilo brand are what you need.
Everything you need to know, including a couple of Direct Tv users, can be found here
http://www.techolio.com/forums/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=7&sid=9 ... 3baaeebc91

The non hard drive just rated four stars
Http://www.videohelp.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=254032
The January issue of the “What HI-Fi? Sound and Vision” magazine came with a new supertest of the affordable DVD recorders. They looked for typical picture constructs such as color rendition, edge definition, depth of field, stability, movement and picture noise – essentially, a closeness of copies to the original broadcast. Easy of use and functionality, including flexibility of connections and recording formats, were also rated along with how well recorders perform as DVD players.
A five-star product not only performs to the highest standard, but is also well constructed, fully featured and is good value. Stars are subsequently dropped for shortcomings in performance compared with price.

4KUS DVR-230 (ILO DVDR04 from Wal-Mart) - 4 stars
For: Price; well equipped; reasonable performance; easy to use.
Against: Cheaply constructed; colours on DVD replay lack richness
Verdict: A specification and performance that belies the price – this is a good value for the money unit.
“…not only is it the least expensive recorder tested, but it also performs to an acceptable level, making it great value for the money…importantly, the 4KUS’s tuner reception is good. Colours are a little lackluster and movement occasionally stutters, but there’s a fair level of detail and very few digital defects. It’s an average picture, but betters some of its more expensive rivals.”

[ruggerjvd]

Hi,
I went to look at the iLo but the $149 version didn't have a hard drive. Are there any recorders in the $150 range that come with a HD?