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The ability to record, fast forward, pause and rewind live television with Tivo® or other DVR technologies is transforming the way viewers make choices in entertainment. Like microwave, cell phone and GPS technologies, digital video recording is one of those “I’ll never go back to the way it was before” breakthroughs.
DVRs use hard drives and on-screen programming guides to allow viewers to choose in advance and record multiple programs with ease. They put the power in the hand of the one holding the remote, controlling live television and recorded shows with the push of a button. Viewers now have greater decision power over their viewing choices at any given moment, selecting from a list of their favorite shows, watching on their own schedule, and fast-forwarding through commercials.
So which is better – to rent or buy a DVR? Most cable and satellite companies now offer digital video recorders for rental and service fees that can be substantial. Although these enhanced cable boxes and satellite receivers may seem like a convenient, space-saving option, a set-top DVR purchase is likely to come with bells and whistles a fancy converter box just can’t beat…
Features of Digital Video Recorders
• Record two programs at a time, record one program while watching another live program, or record one program while watching a previously-recorded program
• Rewind, pause and view live TV in slow motion; fast forward, rewind, pause and view recorded programs in slow motion
• On-screen guide with options to record episodes and movies weeks in advance, with additional settings such as “only record new shows” or “record every incidence of this program on any channel at any time”
• Copy recorded programs to VCR, DVD recorder, computers, and hand -held entertainment devices like iPod, Sony Playstation Portables, and Portable Media Centers
• Varied storage capacity – consider how much hard drive space you can buy in your DVR – the more GBs, the greater amount of available space for recording; current storage capacities peak at approximately 250 GB
• Record at different qualities to save space – 1 GB will give provide approximately 15 minutes of recording time if set at the highest quality, or 1 hour if set at VHS quality
• Play music and view pictures from a connected computer
• HD-capable DVRs -- DVRs that support high-definition recording can play back at the same quality a show originally appears – as long as the show is played on a hi-def TV
• Costs include the device and service contract, in the range of $300 - $600 total to get hooked up
Keep in Mind
• Not all DVRs work with satellite TV
• Some DVRs do not come with on-screen program guides
• Some DVRs come with built-in VCRs
• Home theater systems may output better quality sound than some DVRs support
• Make sure that the connectors on the back of the digital video recorder are compatible with the connectors of other components such as cable boxes and TVs. For example, a DVR may come with coaxial digital output connectors when the only available digital input on a home theater system is optical
• Some DVRs come with a DVD recorder, or the other way around. This power combo allows viewers to make DVD copies of television shows they’ve recorded with their DVR. They can burn DVDs from other video sources as well. DVD Recorders are not recommended for copying high-definition programs, because the video will not reproduce at the same quality
• Media Center PCs are personal computers designed to enhance TV, music, videos, pictures etc., and they usually include DVR technology
• Higher-end models incorporate broadband internet and home networking
When comparing products, look for flexibility and future-friendly compatibility. Choose a DVR that is compatible with other entertainment components with which it will be connected, such as HDTVs, cable modems or surround sound systems. Go for the larger number of GBs, and look for the ability to add on other components.
Yung Trang leads the team behind Techbargains.com, one of the most visited online shopping deal sites. Techbargains has been featured in PC World, and the Wall Street Journal. The site was founded in 1999 and is best known for the quality of its Dell Coupons, Newegg Promo Codes, and Staples Coupons
DVRs use hard drives and on-screen programming guides to allow viewers to choose in advance and record multiple programs with ease. They put the power in the hand of the one holding the remote, controlling live television and recorded shows with the push of a button. Viewers now have greater decision power over their viewing choices at any given moment, selecting from a list of their favorite shows, watching on their own schedule, and fast-forwarding through commercials.
So which is better – to rent or buy a DVR? Most cable and satellite companies now offer digital video recorders for rental and service fees that can be substantial. Although these enhanced cable boxes and satellite receivers may seem like a convenient, space-saving option, a set-top DVR purchase is likely to come with bells and whistles a fancy converter box just can’t beat…
Features of Digital Video Recorders
• Record two programs at a time, record one program while watching another live program, or record one program while watching a previously-recorded program
• Rewind, pause and view live TV in slow motion; fast forward, rewind, pause and view recorded programs in slow motion
• On-screen guide with options to record episodes and movies weeks in advance, with additional settings such as “only record new shows” or “record every incidence of this program on any channel at any time”
• Copy recorded programs to VCR, DVD recorder, computers, and hand -held entertainment devices like iPod, Sony Playstation Portables, and Portable Media Centers
• Varied storage capacity – consider how much hard drive space you can buy in your DVR – the more GBs, the greater amount of available space for recording; current storage capacities peak at approximately 250 GB
• Record at different qualities to save space – 1 GB will give provide approximately 15 minutes of recording time if set at the highest quality, or 1 hour if set at VHS quality
• Play music and view pictures from a connected computer
• HD-capable DVRs -- DVRs that support high-definition recording can play back at the same quality a show originally appears – as long as the show is played on a hi-def TV
• Costs include the device and service contract, in the range of $300 - $600 total to get hooked up
Keep in Mind
• Not all DVRs work with satellite TV
• Some DVRs do not come with on-screen program guides
• Some DVRs come with built-in VCRs
• Home theater systems may output better quality sound than some DVRs support
• Make sure that the connectors on the back of the digital video recorder are compatible with the connectors of other components such as cable boxes and TVs. For example, a DVR may come with coaxial digital output connectors when the only available digital input on a home theater system is optical
• Some DVRs come with a DVD recorder, or the other way around. This power combo allows viewers to make DVD copies of television shows they’ve recorded with their DVR. They can burn DVDs from other video sources as well. DVD Recorders are not recommended for copying high-definition programs, because the video will not reproduce at the same quality
• Media Center PCs are personal computers designed to enhance TV, music, videos, pictures etc., and they usually include DVR technology
• Higher-end models incorporate broadband internet and home networking
When comparing products, look for flexibility and future-friendly compatibility. Choose a DVR that is compatible with other entertainment components with which it will be connected, such as HDTVs, cable modems or surround sound systems. Go for the larger number of GBs, and look for the ability to add on other components.
Yung Trang leads the team behind Techbargains.com, one of the most visited online shopping deal sites. Techbargains has been featured in PC World, and the Wall Street Journal. The site was founded in 1999 and is best known for the quality of its Dell Coupons, Newegg Promo Codes, and Staples Coupons