| Digital
video recorders (DVRs)--those mysterious black boxes with
names such as TiVo, DirecTV DVR with TiVo, Sony Digital Network
Recorder, UltimateTV and ReplayTV--have a devoted following
for a reason: They let the viewer take control of the viewing.
DVRs record TV programs onto a hard disk, rather than tape,
so you can store, start, stop and erase them at the touch
of a button.
* STEP 1: Decide if you want a generic or
subscription-based DVR. Generic models are programmed like
a VCR: You choose the channel and the viewing time after looking
up a show in the newspaper. Subscription- based DVRs have
a user-friendly onscreen program guide, but you must pay a
monthly or lifetime fee to use the services.
* STEP 2: Choose between a monthly fee and
a onetime charge if you decide on a subscription-based DVR.
The onetime charge is a better deal in the long run; the service
can be transferred to the new owner if you sell or give away
the DVR.
* STEP 3: Compare the features of each subscription-based
DVR's program guide. With an interactive list of upcoming
programs, it selects the shows you want to record by title,
genre, actor or other features. Try the program guide at a
store or a friend's house to see if it makes sense for your
TV viewing.
* STEP 4: Compare prices. Subscription-based
DVRs run from $250 up to $1,000, depending on the size of
the machine's hard disk. The subscription service can cost
$200 to $400 (a onetime fee) or $6 to $15 per month. The lowest
prices are available through package deals with satellite
or cable companies; see Step 8.
* STEP 5: Decipher the remote. Pausing live
TV, doing instant replays, fast-forwarding, or creating the
David Hasselhoff Channel is fun only if you know how to work
the remote.
* STEP 6: Make sure you have a phone line
available: Subscription-based DVRs regularly connect to their
service provider to update their software and programming
information. Some newer DVRs connect via the Internet if you
have a broadband connection (the DVR uses your home network;
see How to Network Your Computers).
* STEP 7: Get the most recording time you
can afford. A gigabyte of disk space will store about an hour
of programming at the lowest quality recording; that same
hour recorded at the highest quality will use about 4 gigabytes
of storage. Most DVRs have four recording quality settings.
The listed capacity (usually 40 and 80 hours but some go up
to 160 hours) on a DVR is most likely at the lowest-quality
setting.
* STEP 8: Look into package deals. Some satellite
and cable TV companies sell bundled TV service with DVRs at
reduced subscription fees (see How to Choose Between Cable
and Satellite TV).
What To Look For
* Generic or subscription-based
* Monthly fee versus onetime charge
* Onscreen program guide
* Remote control
* Phone or broadband Internet connection
* Disk size
* Package deals with cable or satellite TV
* DVRs are fast becoming Internet-enabled.
On some models you can adjust your programming choices online;
others let you share recorded videos over the Net.
* You can copy programs from DVR to videotape--handy when
your disk fills up (and it will).
* If your entertainment center is tight for space, you can
find combination DVR-DVD players on the market.
What
is Videotape ? | Audio
& Video Tape Preservation |
Video
Tape Conversion to NTSC or PAL or SECAM | Save
a Videocassette |
How
to Get a Digital Video Recorder | How
to Buy a VCR | How
to Videotape Sports Action |
Transfer
Audio From a Videotape to a Computer | Transfer
Audio From a Videotape to a Cassette |
Transfer
Video Onto the Computer | How
to Program a VCR | Video
Tape Formats |
Video
Tape Time Comparisons | Tape
& VCR Tips | Camcorder
& Recording Techniques |
