A digital video recorder (DVR) (or personal video recorder (PVR)) is a device that records video without videotape to a hard drive-based digital storage medium. The term includes stand-alone set-top boxes and software for personal computers which enables video capture and playback to and from disk.
History
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The first DVR was tested on July 8, 1965, when CBS explored the possibilities of instant freeze-frame and rewind for sporting event broadcasts. Ampex released the first commercial hard disk video recorder in 1967. The HS-100 recorded analog video onto a digital hard disk and could store a maximum of only 30 seconds.
Hard disk-based DVRs
The two early consumer DVRs, ReplayTV and TiVo, were launched at the 1999 Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas. Although ReplayTV won the "Best of Show" award in the video category, it was TiVo that went on to much greater commercial success. The devices have steadily developed complementary abilities, such as recording onto DVDs, commercial skip, sharing of recordings over the Internet, and programming and remote control facilities using PDAs, networked PCs, or Web browsers.
This makes the "time shifting" feature (traditionally done by a VCR) much more convenient, and also allows for "trick modes" such as pausing live TV, instant replay of interesting scenes, and skipping advertising. Most DVRs use the MPEG format for encoding analog video signals.
The two consumer DVR brands in the United States are the TiVo and DNNA's ReplayTV. In the UK TiVo has a small presence; Thomson, Topfield, Fusion, Pace and Humax also supply digital terrestrial (DTT) DVRs. BSkyB markets a popular combined EPG and DVR as Sky+.South African based Africa Satellite TV beamer Multichoice recently launched their PVR which is available on their Dstv platform.
Many satellite and cable companies are incorporating DVR functions into their set-top box, such as with DirecTiVo, DishPlayer/DishDVR, Scientific Atlanta Explorer 8xxx, Motorola 6xxx from Comcast, Moxi Media Center by Digeo (available through Charter, Adelphia, Sunflower, Bend Broadband, and soon Comcast and other cable companies), or Sky+. In this case there is no encoding necessary in the DVR, as the satellite signal is already a digitally encoded MPEG stream. The DVR simply stores the digital stream directly to disk. Having the broadcaster involved with (subsidizing) the design of the DVR--and directly recording encrypted digital streams--can lead to features such as the ability to use interactive TV on recorded shows, pre-loading of programs. It can, however, also force the manufacturer to implement non-skippable advertisements and automatically-expiring recordings.
The TiVo Series2 DT does something that only DirecTV TiVo users have enjoyed up till now--the ability to record two shows at once. This dual-tuner (DT) TiVo Series2 is the first standalone DVR that's optimized for households with cable television...
TiVo HD is a smart addition to any high-definition TV, combining the clarity of high definition with the smart, easy-to-use TiVo Service. It works with any cable set-up. It connects to any home network, so you get access to the best of both broadcast and broadband content...
TV that fits your life . . . the TiVo Premiere XL. With this advanced digital video recorder from TiVo, you can record and store up to 150 hours of your favorite TV programming - in HD if you like - for viewing whenever you have the time...
So you thought you'd found the ultimate in entertainment freedom with your video iPod? How great is it to be able to catch your favorite television show on your way to work, or check out the latest music video before your big meeting? It's great, all right, if you don't mind shelling out a few bucks for shows that you can watch for free on TV...
TiVo HD XL - You're ultimate HD cable experience. Discover a whole new universe of entertainment - in crystal-clear THX sound and picture-optimized for digital cable. It's all the digital entertainment you want, whenever you want it! With the Emmy Award-Winning TiVo service, plus movies, music, and videos from the internet, TiVo HD XL makes the most of broadcast and broadband.
Purchasing your first home theater system can be exciting but can get a little confusing when you don't know much about the product. Your best bet is to learn about home theater systems before you hit the stores or you may end up with an over priced system that is not suited to your needs. Do a little online research, read some reviews of certain equipment like the new wireless home theater systems, compare brands and prices and read all that can about any systems that you may consider purchasing. This is a large investment and you will want to know as much about the product as possible.
Many people will tell you that the chief component of any home media theater is the sound system. The thrill of hearing the sound traveling around the theater can be duplicated with one of the many home theater surround sound systems available. Look for a system that is within your budget, a set of seven speakers can cost you anywhere from $200.00 to $1,000.00 (USD). Ask sales associates if the system you're considering can be hooked up at the store so you can listen to the sound yourself before you buy it.
The second chief component is the theater screen. In this instance, bigger is truly better. Always remember that you're trying to recreate that in theater look and feel and really, one of the main reasons we go to view films at the theater is that giant movie screen. You will want to create that same larger than life feel at home so look for a screen that takes up as much viewing space as possible and make sure that the picture is sharp and clear and well detailed. Prices range from $1,000.00 to $3,000.00 for good screens.
After you set up your system you may want to redecorate your new media room. There's a variety of special theater carpeting and home media theater lighting available that will give your room a cool movie theater appearance. You might find that you'll want to invest in some of the stylish home theater chairs to add an even more authentic feel to your room.
Once your room is done and the equipment is installed, your room will become all about home theater entertaining, allowing you and your family and friends to spend many hours enjoying films in the comfort and privacy of your own home!
The DAV-HDX589W BRAVIA theater system boasts an integrated 5 DVD/CD changer, 1000 watts of room-filling power, and an included iPod dock. With the included S-AIR rear speakers with rear receiver and amp (WAHT-SA10), you can now hear powerful sound from behind you without running wires...
A perfect complement to Blu-ray Disc format movies and advanced gaming platforms, this slim, surround sound receiver system offers simplicity in set-up and connectivity. Experience the full benefit Blu-ray Disc technology sound was developed for with three HDMI inputs...
Experience premium high-definition picture quality and sound with the Sony BDV-E500W Blu-ray Disc home theater system. With this all-in-one system you enjoy the benefits of a Blu-ray Disc player - Full HD 1080p and DVDs in near HD picture quality, plus a powerful 5...
HDTV is easy. Home-Theater sound systems used to be hard but Panasonic has made it easier than pie (ready-made pie). Blu-ray extends beyond HDTV in sound. HDTV has 5.1 channel ability but Blu-Ray offers 7...
The ideal choice for first-time home theater system buyer seeking to experience 5.1-channel surround sound, or a great value solution for a second home theater system in the house. It combines a 5-disc DVD/CD changer, 1000 watts of home theater power, and an included iPod dock for enjoying your tunes...
Panasonic SC-PT670 Overview; High Quality Sound: The SC-PT670 uses front and center Bamboo Cone Speakers for crisp, clear mid- and high-frequency ranges and powerful, deep bass. A rigid, low-density bamboo material used in the front and center speaker's cones helps achieve a clean, responsive sound...
Sure, we call it an "entry-level" A/V receiver. But when you witness the full potential of the TX-SR608, you'll know the level you're entering is far beyond the ordinary. For a start, you get six of the latest HDMI 1...
Immerse yourself in your movies and music with Coby's 5.1-channel home theater speaker system. Fill your room with 300 watts of surround sound from five 3-inch satellite speakers and a floor-rattling subwoofer...
Experience high-definition picture quality and sound with the Sony BDV-E300 Blu-ray Disc home theater system. With this all-in-one system you enjoy the benefits of a Blu-ray Disc player - Full HD 1080p and DVDs in near HD picture quality, plus a powerful 5...
Does any one have a Vupoint DV-DM1-VP Digital Video Recorder? Is it any good? Also I want to buy a digital camera either Canon or Olympus. NO OTHER BRAND. But I wanted it shockproof and waterproof and I know Canon does not have any waterproof. Some advice please? What Canon or Olympus camera can I buy?
No i'm not going with the waterproof cases.
I got a new digital video recorder for Christmas and want to burn the videos (mpeg4 format) to a DVD-R in order to view them on my television set. Are there some freeware or open-source software packages that I can use to burn the videos to DVD?
I am trying to burn the DVD from a Windows XP system
Yes, the "DVD Flick" program on sourceforge did the conversion and created the video in a file format that I was able to burn to a DVD in Nero. The DVD played correctly on my component DVD player. Thanks for your help.
Okay, I'm just going to warn you that I really have no idea what I'm talking about. That's why I'm asking for help.
So.. my friends and I want to videotape something and put it on youtube, but none of us have dvd video recorders. We all have those prehistoric ones that record onto those mini-tape thingies. Um, I don't have any special recording equipment and obviously can't buy anything because if I had money I would just go out and buy a DVD video recorder.
Is there any way to somehow get the video and audio from one of these...these mini-tapes... onto my computer? Without really expensive equipment, that is. All I have is:VHS players (that record), DVD players (don't record), and a laptop and a computer (both record DVDs). Obviously, I'm not expecting a finished product that's wonderful quality, I just want to know if this is somehow possible.
Lol, I know I sound like such a cheapskate, but seriously, the only money I get is lunch money until I get a licence, and a job
Hello! I edit movies, and I use Pinnacle Studio, InterVideo WinDVD Creator 2, and Windows movie maker. I also use a Plextor digital video recorder for my videos. When I connect my camera up to the AV connectors (the red, white, and yellow cables) I get onto one of the programs and I click record. I set my camera to play and my computer records what is on my camera.
My problem is when I record I do not get any audio coming out of the video. I see the video but I cannot get the audio to come out. I have tried specifying which sound card to use, but it seems none of them work. But I can listen to music and all easily.
This problem is going on with ALL of my editing programs. It worked at one point but now it does not.
Can someone help me get my audio working when I record my videos on my computer?
I have a P3 with a tuner card installed that I am using as a DVR (Digital Video Recorder). I bought a secondary HD that I am planning on using just to store the video files, keeping the original HD as my boot disk. My question is, what is the best way to config the second HD, as a slave on the primary channel, as the master on the secondary channel (with the CD-ROM as slave),or as the slave on the secondary channel? the performance of the CD-ROM is not important, it is rarely used on this computer.
Essentially I live in a small townhome and a rash of buglarys have started to happen. The neighbor at the end of my street house was broken into. He now has gotten a buglary alarm from sloman's sheid with all the services. I am kind of under the impression based on what I've heard that the police kind of come real late anyway. I notice you can purchase the diy type of kits. The home monitoring services are real cheap some are 8.95 a month. I was also curious about just doing a camera setup get like 5 cameras and put them all over the place outside and record with a DVR (digital video recorder) in the attic. The cameras are real cheap on ebay. Anybody had any experience with these systems..... Really is it all worth it....
I am using a JVC Digital Video Camera (GR-D90, GR-D70, GR-D30 is on the front of the book that came with it). I'm trying to upload it onto the computer and to put it into windows movie maker, but it cannot read the camera. This is my first time really dealing with this camera, so can anyone give me a detailed explanation of how to fix this? Thanks so much
i recently got digital cable from time warner cable in south carolina and i got it for the dvr/digital video recorder.that part works fine but my question and complaint is the picture quality.most the channels are snowy and unclear.what would cause that?and what is a solution to that problem?you would think digital cable would be clear.but im wondering why is it so "snowy"
Purchasing your first home theater system can be exciting but can get a little confusing when you don't know much about the product. Your best bet is to learn about home theater systems before you hit the stores or you may end up with an over priced system that is not suited to your needs. Do a little online research, read some reviews of certain equipment like the new wireless home theater systems, compare brands and prices and read all that can about any systems that you may consider purchasing. This is a large investment and you will want to know as much about the product as possible.
