Why I Love DVR / Tivo Technology
It occurs to me that there is a large contingent of folks that have DVR (digital video recorder) technology, but do not take advantage of it. In this article I will explain how the technology works, in simple terms, as well as share examples of how it makes my life easier.
There are many DVR variants on the market, and most of them come as available features with your cable or satellite service. I have two DVR’s, each built in to a Dish Network dual-tuner HD receiver. I’ve been using some level of DVR functionality since 2000.
Most DVR’s work by storing television programs on a physical hard drive within the receiver. The larger the hard drive, the more recording time you will have available to you. High definition programming consumes much more space (over 6x) on the hard drive. For example, the 320GB hard drive within my DVR’s can store up to 30 hours of recorded HD programming or 200 hours of recorded standard programming.
As you watch television the DVR typically stores the previous 60 minutes worth of the current program on the hard drive. If you were to change channels, the clock starts over. This functionality enables one of the primary benefits of DVR’s: the ability to pause live TV.
The other primary function of DVR technology is recording programs. Via the program guide, you select programs in the future to record. You will typically have the option of recording the program once, or setting it to record every time it is aired. Smarter DVR’s also can distinguish whether you have previously recorded a program based on the program information, meaning that it will not record the same program twice.
It is after programs are recorded that the real benefit of the technology surfaces. One is able to watch television programs in nearly half the time given the ability to skip the commercials. I enjoy watching football, but I do not like to spend 3-4 hours in front of the TV watching a live game. I record the games and am able to play them back, not missing a single play, in less than 45 minutes!
It is an extreme rarity that I even watch commercials these days, as I typically never watch live programming. Even if I come upon something of interest, I’ll simply set it to record and watch it later, sans commercials.
How do you use your DVR?
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Hi,DVR software refers to the set of computer programs and applications which allow a computer to recognize a DVR card installed in a computer. If you want more details click on the name.