Humax intros DVD recorder with TiVo built-in

Humax was already rocking the TiVo in LCD form, and they're now adding a standalone DVD recorder to the mix. The DRT400 DVD Recorder uses TiVo software, stores up to 40 hours of programming, and can burn content to DVD-R and DVD-RW. They'll be coming with the same networking features found in TiVo Series 2 so you can shuttle content around the house to other TiVo boxen, but no compatibility with TivoToGo, unfortunately — though they're planning to add the feature in late summer. The DRT400 is already selling from retailers for $399.

[Matt E. @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

This is not new news. Tivo was advertising Humax's units on my Tivo before last Xmas.

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

Except this one has half of the hard drive of the old one. Though, that doesn't really make it news.

http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B00065ZK7M/

"Date first available at Amazon: November 3, 2004"

[Derek @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

All TiVo enabled DVD boxes come with TiVo basic service for free. What's better about the Humax box is that it uses the standard "peanut" style TiVo remote with the addition of familiar DVD buttons. Toshiba uses a proprietary and less ergonomic remote. An oh yeah, the Humax burns a 1 hour program recorded in high quality to DVD in less than 15 minutes. (I've seen mine do it in about 7 minutes.) Bonus.

[Kevin Fox @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

I've owned a Humax 80-hour DVD-RW TiVo for six months... How is this different?

[slag @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

That's not true either. Not all TiVo DVD burning boxes come with TiVo basic. The Humax DRT-800, for example, does not. Still, TiVo basic sucks the life out of the experience enough that I would pay for the service, despite the fact that I hate the fee. Long live DirecTV TiVos, opppsss. well it was fun...

[Joey Geraci @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

I did not know that and it certainly makes it more likely that I might pick up one of those boxes. The one thing that I just can't justify, that is just unbelievably ridiculous in my opinion and probably hampers all of tivo's potential product updates, is the fact that the lifetime warranty option can only be used on one dvr, period (unless that one dvr gets a hardware malfunction within the warranty period that is covered). You pay $300, on top of the price of the box, and you know that any future updates to the service/new boxes in the future, you will have no access to unless you pony up for the monthly fee again or pay another $300 (on top of the price of another box). They should let you transfer the lifetime subscription to at least 3 boxes (only 1 at a time) and this problem would be easily solved.

As far as this policy hampering product updates, I believe this is definitely possible, especially updates that would require the purchase of a new box. They know people that just paid $300 for a subscription on top of the price of the box are going to be pissed off at tivo for their stupidity, and are extremely unlikely to buy a second box when their first breaks down.

The answer to many of tivo's financial troubles is not as mysterious or convoluted as many might attest. I believe this may be a core component of it.

[Richard @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

I wish they'd bring Tivo back in the UK.

[James @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

I've had the Pioneer version (DVR-810H) since december '03.

[mjsmitho @ Dec 19th 2005 1:20AM]

Derek wrote "Toshiba uses a proprietary and less ergonomic remote."


The last time I was at Best Buy and bought the Humax, the Tosiba appeared to now come with the standard Tivo "peanut" controller.

I prefer the old Toshiba however the button placement makes more sense. I own the old Toshiba DVD/Tivo and the Humax DVD-R/Tivo.