What is a DVR?

A DVR (Digital Video Recorder) is a device used to record broadcast TV, cable TV or satellite TV programming. Most digital video recorders use a hard drive for storing programming data. Some people might refer to a DVR as a PVR (Personal Video Recorder). There are four main types of DVR's; a stand alone unit, a DVR that is integrated into a set top box provided by a cable or satellite TV company, portable DVR's and DVR's that are created using components and software in a computer.

Stand Alone DVR's

Stand alone DVR's have been made popular by brands such as TiVo which can be bought from most electronic stores and hooked up to most TV sets. These DVR's offer large storage capacities, usually coming in either 30 or 60 GB's, as well as fully functional TV viewing guides so that users can easily and effectively record their favorite show. Standalone DVR's usually cost a one time fee for the purchase of the device and then charge an additional fee for each month of service which includes an updated listing guide and features such as TiVo understanding your viewing choices and automatically recording shows for you that you might like. Most TiVos range from about $150 to $300 for the device and less than $20 per month for the TV listing subscription fee.

Set Top Boxes with DVR Capability

Cable and satellite TV companies also offer many of their customers DVR's. These DVR's come with large storage capacity for recording or storing TV shows and movies at home to watch at a later time. These DVR's are usually built into set top boxes, so one box fulfills all your cable or satellite TV needs. Most cable and satellite TV companies allow their subscribers to rent these DVR's directly from them usually for a small monthly fee. There is no additional membership for TV listing services.

Computer DVR's

Computer DVR's are one of the newer ways many people are recording and watching their favorite TV shows. Most people watch broadcast TV, cable TV or satellite TV on their computer LCD monitor with the help of a tuner card. Computer DVR's use the internet to find TV listings, the tuner card can pipe in the video into the computer and it is easily stored on the computer's hard drive. This is quite possibly the most affordable way to have a DVR and most computer DVR users are very satisfied with the quality of it.

Portable DVR's

Portable DVR's are growing in popularity and are sometimes referred to as portable media devices. Not only can they transfer and store videos, but music, photos and other types of media. Some portable DVR's usually consist of just a small function screen, USB port and hard drive. Others include an LCD screen to watch video directly on the unit.

When shopping for a DVR it is important to note the important features that most DVR's come with.

Storage Capacity

Storage Capacity is a main feature and should be a key selling point. The larger the storage capacity of your hard drive in the DVR, the more digital programming you can record. For instance, at a low resolution, you can store about 1 hour of video for every gigabyte (GB) of storage. Most DVR's usually start with about 30 GB's of storage or about 30 hours of storage capacity. Larger DVR's come with more than 200 GB. However, the larger the hard drive and storage capacity, usually the more expensive the unit.

High Definition Compatibility

If you have an HDTV, you will probably want to record shows that are compatible with it so that you can watch any recorded show in high definition on your HDTV. High Definition is currently the best format available; it is characterized as extremely high quality video and audio. While many DVR's do record in HDTV compatible resolution, some do not. Check the specifications before you purchase or rent your DVR unit.

Dual Tuner

All DVR's usually allow you to watch a program stored on your TV set, while you record a new show. However, if you would like to watch a live TV show, while you record a new TV program on a different channel, you will need to make sure that your DVR has Dual Tuner technology. Dual tuner technology means that it has two tuners built in, one for tuning into the program that you are currently watching and a second tuner to tune to the channel that you would like to record.

Services and Software to Get the Most Out of Your DVR

One of the reasons people love their DVR's is the wide range of services and features that they offer. DVR's are much easier to use and are more powerful than just a normal VCR. Here are some commonly used services and software that many DVR's offer.

Season Pass

Season pass is available on TiVo as well as other DVR's (sometimes under a different name). This feature allows you to record the entire season of a specific show in just one setting. This way you don't have to remind yourself each week to record your favorite show.

Wish List

Wish list is a term used by TiVo. This feature uses software and your previous preferences to figure out and then record shows that may fit your tastes. Most people think that a computer can't figure out what they like, however they are extremely surprised and satisfied at the choices the device suggests.