Besides HDTV itself, the rise of the DVR (Digital Video Recorder - some folks call them PVRs, or Personal Video Recorders, too) may be the single biggest thing to happen to TV in our lifetimes. That may sound like an exaggeration, but using a DVR is almost a life-changing experience. After you start using a DVR, you'll never (never, ever) think about TV the same way again!
A DVR, at the most basic level, is a digital replacement for your VCR. Just like a VCR, a DVR can record TV programs - instead of using a tape for this purpose, a DVR records TV digitally, on a computer hard drive inside the DVR.
If the only benefit of a DVR was the replacement of the tape with a hard drive, the DVR would look pretty good. But wait, there's more in store! DVRs can also
- Pause live TV: Usually, DVRs automatically record about an hour's worth of the show that you're currently watching. So you can hit the pause button, run to the bathroom or kitchen or ringing phone, and pick up later where you left off.
- Rewind live TV: You can rewind a scene that you missed. Did Grandma call just as they were about to reveal the killer's identity? No problem, just hit rewind!
- Record a show that you're watching with one touch: If you must leave the room suddenly, just press a single button on the remote to save the whole show (including the part that you've already watched).
- Record an entire series: You don't have to set up separate recordings for each episode of a series. Just select one episode and turn on series recording. Your DVR automatically finds every episode of that show on the programming guide and records it for you.
All DVRs have a few common elements:
- The hard drive for storing video
- A GUI (graphical user interface) that lets you control the DVR with your remote control
- An on-screen programming guide for scheduling recordings (no more need to manually enter dates and times!)
- A telephone or Internet connection for updating the programming guide
The best-known DVRs come from a company called TiVo and its partners. In fact, a lot of people use the name TiVo to refer to DVRs, in general - some people even use it as a verb, as in, "I didn't watch it yet, but I TiVo'd the ball game."
