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Things to Consider Before Buying a DVR
Does it make sense to buy a DVR when you can rent one from your cable company?
By Sal Prince Sal Prince Writer University of Massachusetts Connecticut School of Broadcasting Sal Prince is a former Lifewire writer and a video production professional and tech enthusiast who has written extensively about electronics and DVRs lifewire's editorial guidelines Updated on September 11, 2020 Reviewed by Jerrick Leger Reviewed by Jerrick Leger Jerrick Leger is a CompTIA-certified IT Specialist with more than 10 years' experience in technical support and IT fields. He is also a systems administrator for an IT firm in Texas serving small businesses. lifewire's editorial guidelines Tweet Share Email Tweet Share Email In This Article
Expand Jump to a Section Cost How Will You Use a DVR? Cable TV or Satellite? Manufacturers More Tips The world of DVRs has changed since the debut of TiVo. If you don't own a TiVo, you'll likely end up using one of the DVRs supplied by your cable company. However, if you're interested in buying a DVR, here are some questions to ask yourself before spending your hard-earned cash. How Much Am I Willing to Spend
Lifewire / Miguel Co Set-top DVRs range in price from about $40 to upwards of $400, and you're looking for a BlueRay DVR you could pay as much as $2500. The prices climb as the hours of recording increase. Other set-top DVRs vary in price depending on the size of the hard drive (the larger the drive, the more hours you can record) and whether or not the device records to DVD. Some have VCRs built-in as well. It's essential to have a budget set for your DVR so that you can quickly determine which companies to compare when you set out to choose one. How Do I Want to Use a DVR
Do you want to record lots of TV shows, watch them, and then delete them? TiVo, with a large hard drive, would be best. Or, do you plan to record TV to a hard drive and then keep the shows by putting them on DVD? Then you'll need a set-top DVR with a built-in DVD recorder. Do I Subscribe to Cable TV or Satellite
Most cable and satellite providers offer a DVR service for a monthly charge, usually under $20. A few provide DVR service for free. These DVRs are leased and remain the property of the cable or satellite provider. The advantage in this is that there is no upfront cost for these DVRs; the device is part of your monthly bill. You don't have to shop around for a DVR, as the device comes with the purchase. Do I Prefer a Specific Manufacturer
Some people love Sony and will only buy Sony electronic products. Other people prefer Panasonic. This might be a factor in your decision. Keep an open mind when it comes to electronics. Even if you haven't heard of a manufacturer, research their products. Don't sell yourself short because of brand loyalty. Things to Remember
Try to get the best connections for your set-top DVR and your TV and home theater set up (if you have one). If your TV hasHDMI, that's your best option. After HDMI, S-Video or component inputs are preferable over composite (RCA) inputs. If you have a surround sound setup, connect digital optical or coaxial audio instead of composite audio. You will get a much better picture and sound with higher quality connections. Deciding on a set-top DVR isn't easy, but sometimes the decision is made for you. If you subscribe to cable or satellite, it makes sense to use their DVRs. However, if you want more recording time or DVD recording capability, then go with TiVo or a combination DVD and hard drive recorder. It's best to read about the various set-top DVRs and decide what's best for you. Was this page helpful? Thanks for letting us know! Get the Latest Tech News Delivered Every Day Subscribe Tell us why! Other Not enough details Hard to understand Submit More from Lifewire Can You Still Use an Analog TV? 8 Things to Consider Before Buying a Desktop PC What Is a DVR (Digital Video Recorder)? The Complete Guide to Home Audio Systems for Beginners Is YouTube TV Worth It? 5 Reasons to Sign Up The Best DVD Recorders of 2022 Should You Buy a Blu-ray Player? How to Stream Sunday Night Football Should You Buy a Dash Cam? The 10 Best Products from CES 1967 - Present What Is HDTV? 7 Things to Consider Before Buying a Smart TV The 5 Best DVD Recorder/VHS VCR Combinations of 2022 How to Cut the Cord and Cancel Cable Cord Cutting Guide: The Best Cable TV Alternatives to Save Money in 2022 5 Ways to Watch Cable TV While Traveling Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up Newsletter Sign Up By clicking “Accept All Cookies”, you agree to the storing of cookies on your device to enhance site navigation, analyze site usage, and assist in our marketing efforts. Cookies Settings Accept All Cookies