Achieving Nirvana

As I alluded to in the opening of my last post the Channel Master DVR+ has the possibility of being a cord-cutters dream. I’ve covered what’s good about it. Now I’ll turn the tables and cover what’s it’s lacking, the tweaks, the changes, that would make this device AMAZING. Keep in mind this part of the review may come across harsh, but it’s not because the device is bad, it’s because the platform they’ve established is so solid. There’s four areas that would make the DVR+ the gold standard for OTA enthusiasts; DVR scheduling/guide, streaming services, remote control design, and price. Seventy-five percent of these things could be addressed with a software update so there’s lots of hope!

DVR Scheduling/Guide

The DVR+ needs reoccurring schedules. It needs something akin to TiVo’s season pass. I wasn’t able to find any means of recording a season of a show. Season recording is table stakes for a DVR these days. The terrible DVR’s from the cable/satellite companies even offer it now in most cases. The DVR+ is far superior to those piles of junk in operation and execution, it just needs the feature added. Secondly and less important, while the guide is responsive, the animation on the system menus to get into the systems settings is slow. It’s not a deal breaker, but is jarring on a device that in all other respects is fluid and responsive.

Streaming Services

Vudu alone doesn’t cut it. Netflix and Vudu would be ok. Netflix, Hulu, and Vudu, would be better. Additional services after that are gravy. Channel Master says on the website they’re working on adding more streaming services. I hope they come soon. Having Netflix, Hulu, and Vudu would add about $100 to the value of the DVR+ as many new cord-cutters wouldn’t need to buy a secondary streaming box. The DVR+ could be their one stop shop with those three services.

Remote Control Design

This is the one item on the list that can’t be addressed by a software update. I don’t know how to say this delicately so I’m just going to be totally blunt. The remote control is bad. it’s uncomfortable to hold and I had a terrible time finding any of the buttons in the dark. It’s very light and feels cheap which is odd because it looks reasonably stylish. It’s so flat that the edges felt like they were digging into my hand. I very much dislike the look of the Roku remote, but I love using it. It feels nice to hold and I can find the buttons really easy in the dark. Remotes are about the hands, not eyes.

UPDATE: Channel Master now sells an “Enhanced DVR+ Remote” It’s a $29 add-on, get more details here.

Price

The DVR+ “add-ons” are pretty much essential for a good experience.  $40 for a USB wifi adapter? Really? Monoprice.com sells USB wifi adapters that work with Windows/Mac/Linux, but not compatible with DVR+, for under $10. Channel Master just introduced a 1TB DVR+ that has an internal hard drive for $399. A $150 premium for a 1TB internal drive? They sell an external 1TB for $99. I don’t understand. Cord-cutters are price sensitive. After-all, we’re defined by what we don’t want to pay for. The addition of Netflix and Hulu would go a long way towards adding value, but I would highly recommend Channel Master lower the cost of the add-ons to make for a more competitive overall package. At $300 for a DVR+ with 250gb hard drive and USB wifi it’s a done deal. I think they’d sell more and make more money overall.

Ultra Combo!

Channel Master, you’ve made a great entry into the world of OTA TV! You’ve got a solid foundation to launch a must-have product for cord-cutters. The current DVR+ is a good product that makes it very simple to add DVR functionality to an OTA setup. I hope you lean-in and deliver the ultimate product that the cord-cutting market is hungry for.

Final Verdict?

I don’t have this product in my house and I don’t plan on purchasing it myself, but I do recommend it for some buyers. The DVR+ is a great choice (affiliate link) for people new to cord cutting that want DVR functionality on par to that of a cable/satellite box without the hassle of setting up a dedicated home theatre PC for the task.