Some might even be able to stream your OTA content to tablets or other devices for viewing while you’re on the go. You can be watching the game in the living room while the kids record cartoons in the den, for example.
#DIGITAL DVR PLAYER TV#
“With a two-tuner operation, you can watch a show while recording an entirely different show - useful if you have an overlap of favorite shows on at the same time slot.”
“Standard DVRs can only record a show or watch a show, not both,” says Ward. You can search for shows across both live TV and applications, issue voice commands through either the remote or Amazon’s Alexa assistant and even skip commercials.Īdditionally, you’ll want to consider other options, such as two-tuner operation. There are models, for instance, that act as an all-in-one media device, allowing you to grab and record shows from your antenna but also giving access to streaming services like Netflix and Hulu. Today, DVRs offer all the modern conveniences you expect. “If you have an HD TV, it is worth investing in a DVR that can also record in HD or your recorded shows’ picture quality will decrease on playback,” Ward says.įar from sitting idle, TiVo and the other pioneers of DVR technology have been incorporating new technology to make their services relevant even to those with a streaming package. “DVRs are increasingly using internet bandwidth, particularly when it comes to streaming.” He suggests making sure you have service that offers speeds of at least 200 megabits per second (Mbps) - 1000 Mbps is even better - if you regularly stream content, use an ultra-HD TV such as a 4K TV and have multiple devices plugged in at once. “Before purchasing your DVR, check the speed of your internet service,” Ward advises. “It’s worth investigating higher quality DVRs than the one you get with your cable box, since the better quality and user experience can make the additional investment worth it,” Patrick Ward, editor-in-chief of the IT education blog High Speed Experts, says. But how do we make those scheduled network shows fit our busy lifestyle? Re-enter the stand-alone DVR.
#DIGITAL DVR PLAYER FREE#
But the pendulum has begun to swing back, as streaming subscriptions grow pricier and people are starting to realize that OTA (over the air) TV is still free for those with a decent antenna.
These days, basic DVR features can seem quaint for cord-cutters who rely primarily on streaming services for their entertainment. People tend to use their provider’s service because it’s hassle-free and easily compatible. You could skip commercials! Pause for bathroom breaks! Make that must-see show wait until you were good and ready! The convenience was so great that cable and satellite providers started providing DVR service as part of their basic subscription, and most still do. When it was first introduced, this was revolutionary. It recorded video from your cable television to an internal storage device, allowing you to pause, rewind or record live television. The name stood for digital video recorder, and that’s what it did. Back in the old days of cable TV - and by “old days,” we mean the mid-2000s - the role of the DVR was simple.