- A DVR (Digital Video Recorder) is a device designed to record video as a digital signal. DVRs usually use a hard drive much like a computer does, rather than burning data onto a disk with a laser like a DVD-R. This allows DVRs to record over and over again on the same drive. Many DVRs such as TiVo are designed to be used with a TV programming service. They can be set up to record programs automatically for later playback.
- The digital signal comes into the receiver through a cable, a satellite dish or a fiberoptic cable. When you turn the tuner to a particular channel on the TV and press "record," the signal is split. Half of it is turned into image and sound, and projected on your TV screen and speakers. The other half is left as a digital signal and is written on a hard disk. If you want to watch the program later on, the hard drive simply reads the program back and plays it on your TV. If you set your DVR to record a program, the timer automatically switches the tuner to the right channel and turns on the hard drive when the program comes on, all without having to turn the TV on.
- Many DVRs have advanced features beyond normal recording and playback. One of the most popular features is the ability to record one program while showing another one. the DVR has two tuners, one to broadcast the show you want to watch now and another to record the show you would like to watch later. Some DVR systems can pause live broadcasts. They record the broadcast while it is happening, then pause when you hit the "pause" button while continuing to record. When you start again, you aren't really watching the broadcast live. Instead, you are watching a slightly delayed recording.
