Digital Stream DHR8203U Freeview HD PVR

I bought this device to replace a Thomson which was so bad it was returned. The Digital Stream however, had no such problems, worked straight out of the box and a dodle to set up. Many have marked down because of fan noise but I have had no problems or reasons for a reduced score. The DHR8203U does change channels rather slowly, this becomes instantaneous if I use the program +/- button. Programming timer recordings and series link recordings is also easy and, so far, trouble free.
I recently performed the suggested upgrade to 4.03.r7901 using USB memory stick, it was trouble free and worked straight away after reboot, all the updated and new funtions performing as described. Really no complaints with this device and of the four types I have experience of the Digital Stream is by far the best.

I bought the 500Gb version of this box and it is generally excellent. Latest software downloaded from MIT London's website was very easy to install via a 2Gb USB stick. Picture quality on the HD channels is stunning, if you have never seen HD on your shiny new flat screen TV prepare to be amazed at the difference. SD picture quality is also very good and on a par with my TV's tuner, although I had to amend the Digitalstream's picture settings slightly (a new menu option added in the September update). Recording is reliable and works well, and on playback there are no glitches (unlike my old Vestel based PVR which would occasionally skip and randomly lock up). EPG appears in less than a second and is clear and well laid out, although only shows 7 channels at a time but you can page up and down and skip forward and backward two hours at a time. You can slso skip forward and back by 24 hours at a time, and there is also a search function. You can plug in an external hard disc and copy standard definition recordings to it (no HD due to copyright issues), however the machines uses the Linux XFS filesystem so getting the files onto a Windows PC is a little convoluted if that's what you want to do.

The only downside is the rather noisy fan, even with the latest update it can be noisy. You probably wont hear it at normal TV volumes but you probably will during quiet moments. Thankfully the latest update has changed things slightly and the fan now only comes on when the box gets warm, it used to be on all the time.

Pros:
Stunning picture quality on HD channels.
Excellent picture quality on SD channels.
Easy to use.
Reliable recording (although depends on broadcaster sending signals at correct time, are you listening Channel Five?).
Can record two channels at the same time (and in certain circumstances, even watch a third).

Cons:
Some may think SD picture quality is slightly soft.
Noisy fan when the box gets warm.

I have been known (!) to have problems with installing, connecting and effectively using technological equipment. (Understatement). So I opened the box with great trepidation, followed the instructions, plugged it all and switched it on. Simple! And it worked - beautifully.
Instead of dashing back home to catch a programme or having to choose between 2 or 3 programmes that I really want to watch I can just click on the programme in the guide and record it. I can even record a series without having to set the times, channels etc.
Good to be able to watch in HD too.
Great value for money. So easy a meerkat could do it - I can highly recommend. Thank you