The DishPVR is basic, as it lacks some of the key features popularized by TiVo and ReplayTV. It can't record a channel while you're watching another, and, while it has a programming guide good for nine days out, you can't search for content using keywords. Nor can you enlist a "season pass" feature, which lets TiVo record the entire season of a particular show.

Both TiVo and ReplayTV have deep and powerful search and programming parameters (e.g. they can record all shows starring Danny DeVito), but we had a much easier time with TiVo.

What makes the ReplayTV 5000 unique is its ability to share and stream content with other ReplayTV 5000 units. A great idea, but you'll have to have a broadband Internet connection to share or a home network to stream and the transfer process can take hours if not days. At this point the technology is reminiscent of the 56-Kbps days, and it's expensive, as setting up a home PVR network requires at least two ReplayTV 5000s.

All three PVRs can skip (outside of pause, play, and guide, the skip button is the most important button on the remote) through commercials, although none does so perfectly.