• Make sure that the unit will work with your Signal connection:  Cable (Basic or HD box), Satellite, air waves, etc...
• Determine if you want to pay for a service or not.  There are  options to not pay for the use of your own machine. 
  • We recommend staying away from TiVo or RePlay TV.  These require a monthly fee to use the online scheduling.  They also keep track of what you watch, etc...
  • There are DVR's that do not require a service.  Just plug your cable into it and go.  It uses the GuideStar TVGuide channel listing where you can set the programming.  Most also allow you to manually set the program parameters (best).
• Choose a DVR that records to a Hard Drive.  Some record to a DVD only and this can get expensive.  Some will record to DVD also.  Programs recorded on a Hard Drive can be watched and discarded after viewing.
• Here are some functions to look for:
  • Chasing Playback:  While recording on a DVD-RAM disc or HDD, you can start watching the same program being recorded from the beginning, while the unit records a later part of the same program.  Once the program starts to record, you can start watching the beginning of the program until it catches up to real time.  This is a great feature when you just do not want to rush back to the house to watch the beginning.  You do not have to wait until it is finished recording.
  • Pause/Review Live Playback:  When watching a program live (not recording anything at the moment), to have the ability to click pause and stop the program.  Some units allow you to backup to the time when you started watching live with a time limit to go back.  Some units have a half hour, hour, etc....
  • Simultaneous Record and Play: While recording on a DVD-RAM disc or HDD, you can watch one show on the disc while the unit is recording another. Editing programs during Simultaneous Record and Play MAY NOT possible.
  • Built-in hard drive: for recording/playback
  • TV Guide On Screen: free interactive program guide
  • one-touch recording: Turn to the channel and press the record button.  Some units will not do this.
  • Timer and manual recording options:  The ability to set programming parameters to record the program when you want to.  Some units require the use of the Guide.
  • Auto clock and channel set:  This usually occurs at night.  It updates the system guide.  Some units require that the unit is in off/standby mode.
  • Front-panel digital camcorder input: (IEEE 1394) with on-screen camcorder dubbing controls
  • TV tuner: You want a unit with a tuner.  Otherwise it will just record what you feed it from another device.
  • Instant Skip: The Instant Skip button skips forward a specified amount of time during playback. This is great for jumping over commercials.  Another nice feature is a unit that has a back button.  For example, the forward skip may jump 30 seconds and the back skip may go back 10 seconds.
  • Delete a program while recording another program.  It can be annoying if you have to wait to delete a program because you are recording another.

Please contact us if there is a model you would like to see featured here.