The Magical Dvr System: Cable and Satellite Tv’s Ace in the Hole

March 31, 2010 by admin · Leave a Comment
Filed under: Great Gadgets 
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The DVR (Digital Video Recorder) system is one of satellite TV and cable TV’s biggest advantages.  Let’s face it, dozens of channels are all well and good but the idea of a DVR system is what sells many subscribers on upgrading their service.  The power of today’s digital video recorder calls to mind the heyday of the VCR (Video Cassette Recorder) system.  When the VCR was first released, many sources in broadcasting panicked at the idea of the average home viewer having so much power.  Now the home viewer could go out and buy his or her favorite movie, or even worse, videotape their favorite TV series and fast forward through the commercials.  Well, the TV industry survived somehow and now the next big thing has arrived: the digitally based DVR system, available with satellite TV and cable TV.

The next generation DVR is much more powerful than the VCR of old.  What is the DVR system, how does it work and why is it the best thing since…well, the VCR?  A DVR system does not record or play content with a tape.  The device is a hard drive that has been surrounded by a casing that looks sort of like a cable box.  The television signal connects to the DVR’s built-in tuner by way of an antenna, cable plug or satellite cable.

What are the advantages of DVR when compared to VCR?  A DVR digitally records all programs and does not require tape.  Remember how much frustration you felt back in the 1990s when you tried to tape NYPD Blue and Seinfeld and you either couldn’t find a blank tape or all the tapes were filled with un-erasable reruns of ER?  The idea of a DVR is that you can program your DVR system to record a full program by just clicking on the name of the program on the schedule. 

 You can search by an actor’s name or a series name.  You can even program your DVR to record a program every day or just a few times a year.  Another tremendous advantage of DVR is the ability a viewer has to program his system remotely. You can access your home network online and program your DVR from halfway across the country!  Imagine being able to “phone in” your DVR and program a recording from your car phone or from a cell phone.

Another benefit to the DVR system is the power you have over playback.  When you record a show on your old VCR you have to wait until the system starts, finishes and is ready for rewinding.  With a DVR, there is no tape—therefore, you can rewind or pause at anytime during the broadcast.  Does this mean that you can pause live television broadcasts?  Yes, and this is one of the most amazing and popular features new users look for.  You can stop the picture from playing or rewind the action even while you continue to record the program.  You’re not actually pausing live TV (that would be omnipotence) but you do get some very handy features nonetheless.

For more on the DVR system, contact your local cable company or satellite TV company and ask for details.



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