[lightworker888]

Ca anyone tell me if PVR?DVR whatever they are called, are available for sale or do they have to be bought or rented from the TV service provider? Can they be used interchangeably with another provider? Where do you get them and what approximately is the cost? Which ones are OK? Thanks for ay input.


LW888

[Bill-n-Brillo]

You'll need to check with the specific satellite/cable service provider you have in mind to get the definitive answers to most of your questions. If you do acquire a DVR from a 3rd-party, it needs to be compatible with your service provider's system/network. Also, the service provider will need to activate that particular receiver - you can't just plug it in and go. Kinda like an iPhone - an iPhone that works on AT&T's network won't work for Verizon and vise versa.

Here's a thread that might offer some additional insight as well:

[DIRECTV] Looking to buy used HD DVR to upgrade from standard DV - Cable & Satellite TV | DSLReports Forums

Bill

[mak44070]

We bought a DVR at Walmart.com ( Walmart.com: Magnavox 160GB HDD & DVD Recorder with Digital Tuner: TV & Video )
We have ComCast here in TV. Our DVR is hooked up to cable via a splitter. It can record ComCast channels 2 thru 30, and some of the high definition channels available.
So between the DVR, the VCR and OnDemand from ComCast, we can watch what we want, when we want.
Hope this helps.

[uujudy]

We have the DVR from Comcast & can record anything on our subscription plan. It does a good job of recording your favorites, so you can watch them at your own convenience. You can also fast forward through the commercials.

On the other hand, if you use closed captioning, it's a nightmare. You can't turn off the closed captions via the TV tuner, like you could in the olden days. You have to completely turn OFF the cable box, hit & hold the menu button, and if you get lucky a menu will pop up allowing you to turn off (or On) the captions. By the time you're finished, you've completely missed the 5-day weather report, which is hidden underneath the closed captions. You missed the severe weather report. You miss everything, especially if you're recording at the same time, because you turned off the cable box. This is progress?

[Hal :-)]

The original DVR, TiVo, is still available. It's better than the cable company boxes but it requires a monthly subscription so cable has taken over. I'm a cable-cutter and I got the inexpensive Magnavox also for OTA. It's a little complicated setting it up but once it's programmed for your regular shows you're all set. With antenna, Netflix, Hulu and a few other internet sites, I have more TV than I have time to watch.

[Golfer in Sanibel]

Originally Posted by Hal :-)

The original DVR, TiVo, is still available. It's better than the cable company boxes but it requires a monthly subscription so cable has taken over. I'm a cable-cutter and I got the inexpensive Magnavox also for OTA. It's a little complicated setting it up but once it's programmed for your regular shows you're all set. With antenna, Netflix, Hulu and a few other internet sites, I have more TV than I have time to watch.

TIVO is my favorite DVR, ever. I miss it. I was looking at the TIVO website yesterday and trying to decide if I could save money on my cable fees if I had my own DVR. I plan to get Brighthouse when I finally can make my permanent move to TV.

Click here. TiVo Premiere: much more than a DVR - TiVo

[lightworker888]

I had an idea that it was particular to the service provider, but needed it confirmed in layman terms! I guess if we decide to get one we will have to call comcast and forget about taking it up north. Thanks for the input.


LW888

[Hal :-)]

Originally Posted by Golfer in Sanibel

TIVO is my favorite DVR, ever. I miss it. I was looking at the TIVO website yesterday and trying to decide if I could save money on my cable fees if I had my own DVR. I plan to get Brighthouse when I finally can make my permanent move to TV.

Click here. TiVo Premiere: much more than a DVR - TiVo

Have you seen SimpleTV? It was announced at CES in January, suppose to ship in June. It'll distribute video to your devices, like iPad, Plug in a USB drive and it becomes a DVR. Search YouTube for videos on it.

[duffysmom]

We have three comcast DVR's and I couldn't live without them. I really, really dislike commercials so having DVR's eliminates them.

[Hal :-)]

Originally Posted by duffysmom

We have three comcast DVR's and I couldn't live without them. I really, really dislike commercials so having DVR's eliminates them.

That's interesting. Do you actually have something that eliminates commercials? I have a user settable skip and replay on my DVR, but that's the best I can do. Actually, I sometimes feel guilty about that since it's the commercials that pay for my "free" over-the-air TV.