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.
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...
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 Premier XL Black Digital Video Recorder - TCD748000. Record Up To 150 Hours Of HD Programming. Connects To Your Cable Service And Replaces Your Cable Box. THX Certified. Control Live Television With Pause, Rewind, Slow-Mo And Instant Replay...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Coby DVD938 5.1-Channel DVD Home Theater System with Digital AM/FM Tuner, 5.1-channel progressive scan DVD player with integrated amplifier, DVD, DVD±R/RW, CD, CD-R/RW, CD+G and JPEG compatible, Dolby digital decoder, plays digital media files directly from USB drives and SD/MMC/MS cards, integrated digital AM/FM tuner with 40-station preset memory, dual microphone inputs for karaoke function, digital and analog AV outputs for home theater use, NTSC/PAL compatible, convenient front panel and on-screen display, multiple language, subtitle, and camera angle support parental lock control, AC 100-240V automatic power switching, FCC approved and ETL listed, Home theater speakers included; 5...
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"
Hi, I am looking for a supplier of this item or a similar item, this link is on ebay and its far to expensive.. but it shows the idea of what I am after, its a Hard disk external enclosure for ide drive or maybe even a sata srive would also do me.. It can record from an input video..
Hi. I want to record music concerts in digital video, then upload to final cut pro or something to make it better, and integrate it with high fidelity sound recorded separately. anyways, ... what is a good camara? does it have to have specific output formats? Is the ability to record "in high definition"... a worthwhile consideration? any and all comments really appreciated. I guess analog video tape recorders/cameras are totally out eh?
I have MP4 files from my digital video recorder hooked up to my TV
I need to edit the files in Premiere Pro CS3, but apparently this stupid application will only recognize audio if it's in a very specific format: DV AVI Type 2
I don't even know what DV AVI Type 2 means but I really really need it.
I used tottal video converter but the trick was there was a certain TYPE of AVI file that CS3 needed in order to recognize the audio. It was trial and error to guess what type to convert it to.
That's how I solved my problem. It wasn't a codec issue or my speakers were off like 90% of the tshooting forums said.
i have a dxg camera that is a digital camera...video recorder...mp3 player and audio recorder..but when i took video and tried to put it on the computer it couldnt play it..i am not sure why my brother has the same thing and he said it didnt work on his computer either..i have to put it somewhere though because it is using alot of my memory.
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.
