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A DVR is a digital video recorder that records and stores TV programs in real time. It has many advantages, including better picture quality, the ability to skip commercials, and the convenience of pausing and playing live TV. However, it requires a subscription and can be affected by power outages or server errors. Smart programming options are available, but not all devices support high definition television broadcasts.
A DVR, acronym for “digital video recorder”, is a device that records and stores television programs in real time. It works much like a video tape recorder (VCR) but without the hassle of loading tapes and loading them. The digital system is usually part of a cable service plan and is sometimes even built into a television. Users can tell the device to save or record certain shows, which are then stored on a network-owned hard drive or cloud server. People often use this service to record shows while they’re away from home, but it can also be a useful service while a show is actually in progress, as it usually allows for pausing, rewinding, and fast forwarding. As such, people can rewatch the action they missed, and commonly can also browse the commercials. The service can be expensive and registrations are usually not permanent; in most cases they disappear after a person’s cable subscription ends, and they can also be canceled or deleted in the event of a power outage or other server error. However, the device is becoming more and more popular and as the technology changes, many of the issues are being improved.
Basics of operation
It is usually quite simple to use one of these devices. In most cases they are connected to the main television or entertainment system via a series of cables or other digital connections and are accessed via a television ‘main menu’ screen or via a suitable remote control function. Users typically can make their selections and set their programming selections from the television screen rather than by manually programming the buttons on the device. Shows can usually be selected by title or by time range, and in most cases the only thing a person has to do is tell the machine to record – setting exact start and end times is usually not required as the device can usually set them itself based on how long the show is scheduled to be.
Accessing stored shows is usually just as easy. Users typically access a main menu or “library” to view a list of stored shows, which can often be watched over and over again. Titles are often organized by date, but can usually also be coordinated by title, series, or episode number. Many systems also have separate menus for shows and movies.
Advantages
There are many benefits to using a DVR. First, the picture quality is significantly better than VCR recordings and is always consistent. The digital format also allows for video archiving and data transfer on computers, CDs or DVDs. The convenient search function allows users to quickly locate the specific show or scene they want to watch. The device can be programmed to record an entire season of a television program and it is even possible to watch the first half of a show while the DVR continues to record the second half or watch a show on one channel while the device records a different from each other.
Popular features
One of the most popular features of this device is its ability to fast forward or skip commercials. It also allows users to pause and play live television. Because the machine is connected to the Internet, either through a direct connection or a digital cable package, users can access and view their favorite shows from anywhere in the world using a computer and a remote monitoring function of the DVR. This may cost more and may not be available with all plans.
Depending on how the device is set up, however, accessibility is generally universal throughout the home where the connection is located. It is usually possible to watch several programs stored simultaneously on different screens, so that one person can watch one show in the den, while someone else watches something completely different in the bedroom. It’s also common to start a program on one device, pause it, and later resume it on another screen in the home.
“Smart” programming
Some logging packages also include so-called “smart” logging or scheduling options. In these cases, the device will automatically record shows that are similar to shows that the user has actually requested it to record. Cable companies often use this as a way to introduce viewers to new series or programs they might be interested in, based on their previous tastes and preferences. This can be a great feature for busy people, but others are annoyed by it, especially if it takes up a lot of storage memory. In most cases the smart scheduling option can be disabled by turning it off in the device settings menu.
disadvantages
Not all digital video recorders support high definition television (HDTV) broadcasts, although this is more commonly a problem with older devices created before HDTV became more common. Devices that don’t support high definition can usually still record the shows, but the clarity isn’t as good, although in some cases the recording itself simply can’t happen and all that is displayed is an error message.
Digital recorders typically also require a subscription, either with a company that provides the specific services or with a satellite or cable television company. Fees are often billed monthly, usually bundled into the largest cable bill, and any missed payments can clear your cache. Shows are also sometimes inadvertently deleted at the server level if there’s a problem with the cable company, and whenever people’s cable boxes malfunction stored shows can be lost. Power outages or surges can cause similar problems.
