What is a Digital Video Recorder (DVR)?

A Digital Video Recorder (DVR) is the equivalent of the old video recorder (VCR), only instead of a tape cassette, the DVR records TV shows onto a high capacity internal hard drive.  DVRs connect to your TV in very much the same way your old VCR did and records off the same cable input.  One advantage of a DVR is that the hard drive has tons of space to record multiple programs without you having to constantly swap out tape cassettes that only recorded a few hours each. 

Many DVRs can record up to 450 HD hours if not more!  Some DVRs even allow you to record more than one simultaneous show!  The DVR will also follow the show time, so if it is delayed or cancelled, it will adjust the program recording accordingly.  When watching a recorded show, most DVRs will remember where you left off, even if someone watches a different show before your return to finish it.  Best of all, when watching “live” TV, you can do instant replays on-demand because most remember the last 10-20 mins of the live programming! 

Now, instead of having to adjust your schedule to sit in front of your TV, you can watch shows at your convenience, when you want!  The best DVR (and defacto standard) to get is TIVO due to wide TV compatibility and upfront purchase.   You can also download your recorded shows to your PC with TIVO.  Don't get the ones from your cable company otherwise you'll be paying monthly rent and if you change cable companies, you'll have to return that DVR and lose all your recorded shows!  With TIVO, you use the same DVR so changing your cable company doesn't matter.  To learn more about DVRs, read here!  For more information or installation of your DVR, contact TheGoToTechGuru!