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Channel Master adds 1TB model to DVR+ line

Channel Master has announced the DVR+ 1TB which now comes with an integrated hard drive but also keeps the same form factor.

Headshot of Ty Pendlebury
Headshot of Ty Pendlebury
Ty Pendlebury Editor
TV and home video editor Ty Pendlebury joined CNET Australia in 2006, and moved to New York City to be a part of CNET in 2011. He tests, reviews and writes about the latest TVs and audio equipment. When he's not playing Call of Duty he's eating whatever cuisine he can get his hands on. He has a cat named after one of the best TVs ever made.
Expertise Ty has worked for radio, print, and online publications, and has been writing about home entertainment since 2004. He is an avid record collector and streaming music enthusiast. Credentials
  • Ty was nominated for Best New Journalist at the Australian IT Journalism awards, but he has only ever won one thing. As a youth, he was awarded a free session for the photography studio at a local supermarket.
Ty Pendlebury

Channel Master DVR+
Sarah Tew/CNET

Channel Master released its newest OTA recorder early this year, and while it was well-received, it had one shortfall: it didn't come with a hard drive. While you can now buy the product bundled with an external drive, Channel Master has announced an integrated solution: the Channel Master DVR+ 1TB. As the name suggests this version comes with an onboard 1TB drive, and it will retail for $400.

Though it has an incorporated drive, the device keeps the same form factor as the original DVR+ and keeps the same functionality. The Channel Master DVR+'s biggest draw is that it records free over-the-air TV without any subscription fees, unlike TiVo . The DVR has dual-tuners, and based on editor Matthew Moscovciak's review it has excellent image quality.

Both units ships with support for Vudu and the company says it is working on rolling out further services by the end of the year. Sadly the upgraded unit also lacks integrated Wi-fi so you may need to shell out an extra $40 for a USB adaptor.

Is the Channel Master DVR+ 1TB worth the extra $150? Especially given that 1TB hard drives are had for $70 and less these days? If you want an integrated unit without the threat that the USB disk could get accidentally removed then it might be worthwhile.