The most popular Digital Video Recorder (DVR) is probably the TiVo. he major down-side to the product was that you had to subscribe to the programing guide with a monthly fee that was transmitted to the device over your phone line. As the market for DVRs in general has progressed, they are offered by all of the cable and satellite TV companies with new and improved features, but they all still subscription based.
PVR - Personal Video Recorder * Emerging term used to describe a non-subscription based DVR, or a PC made to act as a DVR.
Subscription Free, Stand Alone, Digital Video Recorder
- Subscription Free - Works without connection to a phone line and paying a monthly subscription for a programming guide.
- Stand Alone - Does not require connection to a PC, or use of a PC what-so-ever
- Digital Video Recorder - records input source or from a tuner to a digital video file on an internal hard disk or EPROM memory.
Other considerations:
- Allows the recording of copy protected video source (DRM Free) (Macrovision Free / Macrovision Indifferent)
- Uses a high quality, high compression digital video standard file type such as DivX, XvidD, or H.264.
- Ability to extract video files from the unit for transfer to another unit or PC
Clarification
- A DVR doesn't necessarily have a built in digital tuner. However, the industry seems to confuse a tuner+dvr combo with a stand alone DVR. A basic DVR can record from an external video input source. It is preferred to have a unit that lets you put the PVR in-line with your cable/satellite box or other video source and your TV.
Early Offerings
Archos TV+
Captive Works CW-100R
The Captive Works CW-100R is a low cost DVR that is meant for connection to their Free to Air Satellite Receivers. However, it will work as a stand alone DVR device. This unit does not have a digital tuner.
- Pros: Subscription Free, Stand Alone, Records XviD, Records to a USB memory stick or SD Card.
- Cons: DRM Active, will not record protected video source. Composite only video input.
Egreat Network Media Players
There are many models offered by Egreat of China, all detailed on the Egreatworld web site.
MeLE
1080P 3.5 DVR SATA HDD Media Player Recorder DTS H.264 MKV M2TS RM RMVB NY32. The product is designed with multi-output, including composite(AV), Y/Pb/Pr and HDMI. Individuals can select different interface according various need. The product can detect video output automatically, making the operation friendly and convenient.
The product supports subtitle documents in formats of SSA, SMI, SRT, SUB and so on. When the video being played supports the corresponding subtitle format, the subtitle can be switched, displayed, or hidden through pressing the SUBTITLE controlling key. Meanwhile, the size and position of the subtitle can also be adjusted through direction keys.
Moxi HD DVR
This unit has a digital tuner (options for cards for cable tv standards). Very complex.
Sony DHG-HDD500 60-Hour High-Definition Digital Video Recorder (500 GB)
High-definition-capable digital video recorder with 500 GB storage: 60 hours of HD programming or up to 400 hours of standard content, Includes NTSC and ATSC tuners; a perfect match for bringing off-air HDTV reception to HD-ready televisions and monitors, Pause, rewind, and record live high-definition TV; record one program while watching another; HDMI/component-video outputs, CableCARD slot accommodates digital cable decoder cards; Memory Stick PRO media slot lets you enjoy digital photos and MP3 music, Measures 16.9 x 3.3 x 14 inches (W x H x D)
Channel Master CM-7000PAL HD DVR
The Channel Master CM-7000PAL HD DVR can view and record local over-the-air digital broadcasts. The Channel Master CM-7000PAL HD DVR is reported to be an exact, or slightly updated copy of the DTV Pal DVR, since Dish Network no longer produces any of their DTVPal products.
See:
Emerging Technologies
High-Definition Personal Video Recorder by Hauppauge
Related
MythTV
MythTV for Linux and Macintosh is a way to turn a computer into a DVR. There are small form factor embedded systems that can make your MythTV device small, quiet, and fit in with your other multimedia equipment right next to your stereo and Blu-ray player.
CaptiveWorks CW-100R
The Captive Works CW-100R is a personal DVR designed to be used with the CaptiveWorks CW-600S Premium FTA Receiver or connected to other video devices such as a satellite receiver, digital cable tuner, or digital television receiver.
- Cinema Aspect Ratios.
- Film, PAL, and NTSC Compared
- Subscription Free Digital Video Recorder
- Television System Video Standards