Entered CNET Catalog: 09/04/2003
SKU: SIR-S4120R
Manufacturer: Samsung
Manufacturer description
With a 120GB Hard Drive, built-in DIRECTV Satellite Receiver and TiVo you have everything you need to sit back and enjoy the most crisp clear images that are possible. PRODUCT FEATURES: Built-in DIRECTV Satellite Receiver; One button record; Advanced Electronic Program Guide; Recording two shows at the same time (dual tuner functionality); Dolby Digital recording and playback; Pause live TV (up to 30 minutes); TiVo TV/AV Universal Remote.Editors' review
- Editors' Choice: No
- Reviewed on: 09/03/2003
Upside: The large hard disk holds 100 hours of programming--more than twice as much as competing DVR combos. TiVo's superb interface is integrated with DirecTV's program guide, there's no degradation in video quality, and the hard drive can record 5.1-channel Dolby Digital soundtracks. Best of all, the second tuner allows you to record one live show while watching and recording another.
Downside: The S4120R costs twice as much as lower-capacity DirecTiVo systems such as the Hughes HDVR2. Unless you subscribe to DirecTV's flagship $88-per-month Total Choice Premier package, you'll have to pay an additional $4.99 per month for TiVo service.
Outlook: Nothing beats DirecTiVo in terms of pure convenience, but potential buyers should also investigate the DVR options available from their local cable company. Hard-core DirecTV junkies who have problems deleting their old shows, however, should grab the S4120R in time for winter hibernation.
User opinions
Select a User Opinion to view: 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15out of 15 user reviews
So far, so good
Pros: unit works
Cons: remote sucks
out of 15 user reviews
Great Machine! No Problems after 2 years
Pros: Dual recording, Easy menu navigation, Season Pass!
Cons: Easy to burn DVDs?
My only concern is I am now trying to figure out how to burn stuff of of the hard drives onto DVD and have not figured it out yet. Any ideas out there? Maybe its not possible, I don't know.
Other than that, I can only say WOW! Its the best thing I've ever seen since I started watching TV! I highly recomend it.
out of 15 user reviews
Don't buy this model!!!
Pros: I too went the DirecTV route and purchased this machine cheap! 120GB machine will hold tons of recorded viewing. Samsung did extend my warranty, because I was only 6 days past my 1 year standard warranty.
Cons: The hard drive died after only 1 year of service. Not many features. Too expensive if you purchase at a big box store.
out of 15 user reviews
3 months, no problems
Pros: 2 tuners. Eliminates the 'can't watch another channel' problem. Recordings can't be distinguished from the original. It will change your life.
Cons: A bit spendy, but well worth it.
out of 15 user reviews
Bad quality. Absolutely terrible customer service!
Pros: It's TIVO... what's not to like?
Cons: It's a Samsung... what's to like? Unit stopped working two days after I hooked it up. Bestbuy replaced with a new unit. Next unit broke and after a month of dealing with Samsung and their lies, I decided to ask for my money back. They've lied to me fo
out of 15 user reviews
Samsung Blows!
Pros: Big hard drive.
Cons: Unit broke down and I sent it for repairs. After three weeks I began calling Samsung. They gave me little to no information. Finally they said it was not repairable, but they would not replace it because the unit was too popular and they didn't have a
out of 15 user reviews
Great package, but quality problems.
Pros: Lost of room. Dual tuners. Dolby sound.
Cons: I've had two different boxes fail on me which is pretty irratating when you've got 100 hours of programming yet to watch.
out of 15 user reviews
Must have got one of those 7 month hard drives
Pros: twin tuner Tivo, lots of room, streamlined silver cabinet
Cons:
out of 15 user reviews
a lot of freezing pictures-unreliable
Pros: Concept is great, if it would work reliably.
Cons: Can't go through one TV show without freezing of the picture every few minutes. I have already changed the unit 3 times, and have had the same problem on all three.
out of 15 user reviews
Enjoyed for 7 Months now the Harddrive has crashed.
Pros: Wonderful piece of equipment when it is working properly. I've gotten so use to viewing programs on my own schedule that I am completely spoiled.
Cons: I have nearly 100 hours of programing and the harddrive has crashed - I'm informed I can't recover this programming. For nearly $500 I would expect a product to last over 7 months before crashing under normal (mild even) use. Salesman has told me that h
out of 15 user reviews
WOW-How have I lived without this!!!
Pros: This box is fantastic! I was skeptical at first but now I'm so happy I bought this. I got it for $99 installed as part of DirecTV's local channels promo. Call them and see if you can get it too. It's worth much more than $99.00!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Cons: A little cumbersome to set up a customized guide using favorites. And, I can't figure out how to set the guide to turn to a specific channel at a specific time without recording it.
out of 15 user reviews
The best way to record
Pros: It records the Directv bitstream so recording quality is identical to watching "live." Two tuners, and "season passes" so it can automatically record your favorite shows. Super 100 hour hard drive. Available way below list.
Cons: Unlike regular Directv receivers, there is only one "favorite channels" list.
out of 15 user reviews
easy to use and great picture.
Pros: Dual tuner is an enormous advantage. easy to program.
Cons: I haven't found any yet.
out of 15 user reviews
Awesome TIVO unit! Unbeatable, but expensive.
Pros: Ease of navigation and easy setup of all features. Great menu navigation and intuitive guidance thru menus. My first entry into TIVO is wonderful!
Cons: Don't like having to go to standby to watch off of cable/antenna. Minor problem since it still records in stand-by. Just not used to it yet. . .
out of 15 user reviews
This model is just awesome!!!!
Pros: Great Price - $399, A Series 2 Receiver, and its TiVo!!!
Cons: The price can be a bit much for some people, but just buy the 35 hr HDVR2 which is $199. So far no other cons.
