In our TechTV Labs tests, we found the DSR6000 eliminates the problems earlier TiVos exhibited. Video quality is as good as with standard DirecTV service. That's because the DirecTV satellite signal is already digital, which lets the DSR6000 write the received bits directly to the internal 30GB hard drive. The digital video signal no longer needs to be converted to analog, transferred to TiVo, and then redigitized.

In our side-by-side tests with the first-generation TiVo, the DSR6000 delivered significantly better image quality, especially in video with lots of movement. Both the World Series and NFL football looked noticeably better on the DSR6000.

We got used to TiVo's limited electronic programming guide, which displays only one channel's schedule at a time. Still, we found it much easier to use the multichannel, grid-based schedule built into DirecTV's receivers. With the DSR6000, you can elect to view program information in either form.

DirecTV has begun offering digital audio on certain programs, whereas older TiVo models only worked with analog sound. The new combo box adds support for 5.1 digital audio and has an optical connector. We easily integrated the DSR6000 into our home theater, and the digital audio sounded great.

For those interested in recording HDTV content, there are currently no TiVo systems that will do so. However, this isn't a big deal consdering the fact that DirecTV offers only a couple of HD channels.

The DSR6000 includes another unique feature: two DirecTV satellite tuners. Users with dual LNB dishes, which deliver two satellite signals, can connect both feeds to the DSR6000. The second receiver allows viewers to record one DirecTV program and watch another one live. The standalone TiVo does not have the ability to record two programs simultaneously due to hardware limitations.