Bests & Worsts Reviews from Amazon

--- Updated --- The Channel Master DVR+ is one of a few HD DVRs offered without a subscription. On paper, the device seems to check enough the right boxes with me so I ordered thru Amazon. My assessment: Pros: - Small, neat form factor. - Easy to use. - When it works, it's a pleasant experience Cons - Tuner seems to have problems pulling in stations that other hardware can aquire off the same antenna. - Caused hand shaking problems issues with HDMI CEC enabled devices. ---addressed with a CEC less cable - Occasionally hangs during channel changes (signal reception related?) - Gets confused with Station IDs in guide. --- Possibly fixed in firmware - Recorded the wrong program with the right name. Recorded program was on different channel than specified. ---Possibly fixed in firmware - Had difficulties with updating the firmware over USB. - No antenna pass thru. General Interface And Use: Outside of all the problems, it's actually a great device. I like the simplicity of the guide. I like the ability to record all programs of the same name. When the device works or is not keeping other devices from working, it's a good unit. Reception Issues: This unit was purchased to replace a SD DVR (Magnavox MDR533H). The DVR+, like the unit before it had its own Mohu amplified indoor antenna facing the same direction and on the same wall as a identical Mohu unit attach to my TV (Samsung F8000). The DVR+ failed to pull in 9 channels during an auto scan that both the F8000 and MDR533H picked up. I had a Samsung ES7100 where the F8000 now sits and it had no difficulties pulling in all of same channels. Swapping the antennas between the TV and DVR+ indicates the antennas are not the problem. The F8000 still had 9 more channels than the DVR+ could detect. I even removed power from antenna to see if the signal was too strong. Nope. The tuners inside the DVR+ just aren't as good. A manual scan only brought in 2 of the 9 missing channels. HDMI CEC: The DVR+ does not have HDMI CEC and caused problems with devices when HDMI CEC was enabled on them. The DVR+ was first installed in the DVR port of my Pioneer VSX-822-K AVR. I experienced issues with the HDMI standby and pass thru features not working and general switching problems. Therefore, I installed the unit directly into the TV after reseting the units and the problems remained. I upgraded to a new AVR (Sony STR-DN1050) and repeated the trials with the receiver and TV connections yet the handshaking, standby, and pass thru issues remained. Only when I removed the DVR+ completely and reset all the HDMI devices did things return to normal. I shouldn't have to choose between HDMI CEC being enabled and using the DVR+. --- Made CEC less cable to address. User states problem was fix in firmware update but Channel Master has neglected to answer my email regarding the issue so I can't confirm. Guide And Program Recording Issues: After adding a channel manually, it seems as if the DVR+ became confused about what stations were what. In the program guide, Vudu moved from being on channel 200 to 65 (which is really Ion). When tuning channels 200 and 65 were as they are supposed to be; they were wrongly designated only in the guide. This error I believe lead to the wrong program being recorded once. The program to be recorded was set using the guide. What was actually recorded was a program in the adjacent channel but it was named as if it was the one I selected. ---- Firmware seems to have addressed. The DVR+ in my possession seems to be underachieving in its performance. Watch this space for updates. we'll see how Channel Master responds to these issues. --- I received an automated message that my support request would be addressed in 24 hours but it has been 96+ hours. Maybe people who don't give them good reviews don't get support? The review is changeable based upon their response or lack there of. So far only other users have tried to assist. More importantly, I have helped myself. Not a good sign of things to come.