Subscription Free Digital Video Recorder

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.

Our research on the availability and functionality of these devices began in 2010. Over the next four years (2014) little has changed in the availability of these devices for the United States. In some European and Asian markets there are a wide variety of STB (Set Top Box) DVR / PVR systems available that, like a traditional home VCR, allow you to schedule and record television programing without paying anyone a monthly fee to use the recorder. In the United States a coalition of pro-DRM, anti-consumer groups, including major players like the MPAA, and satellite and cable providers are working hard to use patent law to prevent manufacturers from producing and selling these modern replacements for the old VCR here in North America.

On a positive note, since the digital television conversion on North America there has been a release of some DVR PVR devices for the OTA (Over the Air) market. People without Satellite or Cable watching free, non-subscription television with a metal antenna can not benefit from being able to record, pause live TV, schedule from a EPG (Electronic Program Guide) all without paying any monthly fees to any content providers. Because of this, there are now DVR units that are also Digital Tuners or converters. The best units include the ability to capture and record from a composite or component input as well as from the tuner.

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 (by USB, Ethernet, or WiFi for example)

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.

DVR PVR STB for NTSC United States

The "Date Added" is not a reflection of when the device was manufactured or became available. It merely indicates a time when it was available and we discovered the existence of it. Some of these devices have been discontinued, and of those there are still units available from venders carrying old inventory. Some of the devices are current. As new units become available on the market and we discover them, they will be added here to the list.

Archos TV+

• Date Added: 2010

Captive Works CW-100R

• Date Added: July 2010

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

• Date Added: July 2010

There are many models offered by Egreat of China, all detailed on the Egreatworld web site.

MeLE

• Date Added: July 2010

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

• Date Added: July 2010

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)

• Date Added: March 2013

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

• Date Added: October 2014

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:

• Channel Master CM-7000PAL HD DVR
• DTV Pal

Terminology and Background

Some terms and acronyms being used by enthusiasts are listed below. These are useful to know while doing research on the subject.

• DVR - Digital Video Recorder
• PVR - Personal Video Recorder
• STB - Set Top Box
• IPTV - requires pain subscription to an IPTV service provider network.
• Net Top -

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