- Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) come with an on-screen guide that users can control with a designated remote control. When users turn on their TV and DVR, the on-screen guide will typically display what is playing on each channel and what programs will be shown in the next hours or even days. Users can often view information and reviews of programs. But, in addition, DVRs provide a "Record" option in the on-screen guide, which allows users to select programs to save for later viewings.
- After a user selects a show to save on a Digital Video Recorder, the DVR adds the command to its internal list of scheduled recordings and checks for any time conflicts. Then when the designated program is about to begin, the DVR enters record mode and saves the program's video and audio onto its hard drive, which is located within the DVR's casing. DVRs save shows in the same way that VCRs do, except VCRs record programs to cassettes while DVRs save data onto a typical hard drive found in any computer.
- After a selected show has finished recording and has been successfully saved to the DVR's hard drive, the DVR adds the program to its list of saved shows on the on-screen guide. To watch a saved program, users navigate to the main DVR menu and select a show to watch with their remote. The DVR will then locate the designated file on its hard drive and begin to play the program from its beginning, allowing the user to pause, rewind or fast-forward. From the main DVR menu, users can also choose to delete older shows from the DVR's hard drive to create more available space.
