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January 02, 2003
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
What is a DVR?
A DVR (Digital Video Recorder) records TV programmes digitally, either internally to a hard disk, or onto a removable medium like recordable DVD or DVD-RAM.
What is a PVR?
A PVR (Personal Video Recorder) is a DVR, backed up by software that makes it even more useful. Instead of having to manually set a PVR to record a program like you would a Video Cassette Recorder, you might set it to record an entire series of a programme, or all programmes about cars. The cleverer ones will even learn from the type of programmes you record, and if they have nothing to record that you've asked for, record programmes that fit your personal style for later viewing. My Tivo is set up to record any program with the word architect in it's description (hey, I like buildings!). Even after the last series of The Sopranos had finished, it is constantly checking it's EPG (see later) for the next series to appear. At last, I should never miss anything I want to watch.
What was that about EPG?
An EPG (Electronic Programme Guide) is at the heart of a good PVR. This is what it will look at to check what it should record. The Tivo EPG costs me £10 per month subscription, but it's what makes it so useful...a PVR without an EPG just becomes an expensive video recorder. All EPG's are not created equal though. The Tivo one is particularly good...it understands what a "series" or "season" is, so you just set it to record Friends once, and you get all episodes in the series. It even understands the difference between "first runs" (the first showing of a programme) and repeats, so while recording the latest series of Friends, it can ignore all those old episodes that get re-run all the time. Freeview's EPG is currently the weakest: it only transmits the current and next programme (Tivo's stretches a couple of weeks into the future), so it's difficult to use the EPG to record something very far ahead. This is supposed to change soon, and Freeview is currently trialling a 7-day EPG in some areas of the country.
January 2, 2003 in PVRUK | Permalink
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Comments
I want to know the difference between a DVR and a PVR.
Posted by: Ali at Feb 19, 2004 4:11:53 PM
Finally updated the FAQ - thanks for the reminder Ali ;)
More to come!
Posted by: Mike at Mar 4, 2004 10:13:33 PM
Hi - after getting excited about the Humax PVR 8000T I now realise that it is very limited given that I want to record Top Up TV channels. I feed my TV signals around the house using RF but I cannot find any hard disc recorder that will record TUTV and/or direct feeds, ie from another set top box or tape VCR. Given that this is standard on tape VCRs I cannot understand why digital recorders do not have this functionality. It's all very frustrating! Why can't the manufacturers design something that meets this generic requirement?
Chris
Posted by: Chris at Apr 16, 2004 9:51:21 AM
How many PVRs have been sold in the UK?
Posted by: Keith at Jul 6, 2004 3:21:03 PM
Is it possible to record video from my Panasonic vcr to my Digifusion 200 ?
Posted by: Brian at Sep 15, 2005 7:43:59 PM
Is there a Wireless Networked PVR say 300Gb with the EPG power of a Tivo that has direct to DVD on board that can record NTL?
Or is that just wishful thinking!
Posted by: Dave at Sep 19, 2005 8:07:36 PM
Is there any box anywhere that is 1)Freeview decoder, preferably dual tuner 2) PVR with big disk 3) DVD Recorder.
I just can't find one box to do it all.
Posted by: Martin at Oct 3, 2005 1:26:52 PM
Hi i have this video mate card and my whole house is connected up with sky Ilink for the time being. I was wondering if i conected up the ilink to the card via the aerial sockect in my bedroom,would i get sky channels on my pc and could i record without the sky+ box?
Posted by: head at Oct 6, 2005 8:19:30 PM
last question carried on..... normally this procedure works with the tvs around the house using the aerial sockets,so would it work, if i connected to my pc and could i record sky channels on my pc?
Posted by: head at Oct 6, 2005 8:22:19 PM
can i record from sky using a pvr if i connect pvr through rf?
Posted by: dave at Oct 24, 2005 9:21:12 PM
IS there any way of dumping from a domestic stand alone PVR to a PC or MAC for archiving? Ie which ones if any have Friewire or USB or is the only signal out pathway SVHS/ RGB composite?
Posted by: lola at Nov 22, 2005 11:35:58 AM
waer can i get the softwear to connect FVRT150 to my pc.
Posted by: PHIL DAVENPORT at Dec 9, 2005 6:16:28 PM
Hello, I've got NTL digital, and want DVr, PVR and especially EPG. I guess what i want is Sky+ on my NTL. What do you recommemnd comes close?
Thanks
Posted by: Michael at Feb 14, 2006 1:27:43 PM
I'm currently on Homechoice and I want to buy a PVR. Are there compatibility issues I should be worried about or will any PVR work with my Homechoice box?
Cheers
Posted by: Erik at Aug 26, 2006 1:43:05 PM
Can you buy a PVR in the US and use it in the UK?
Posted by: craig at Dec 2, 2006 8:23:22 AM
Do PVRs bought in the USA work over here in the UK? ReplayTV have an interesting offering in the US, but I have not found a model for sale over here. Are there differences in the tuner or the EPG which prevent it working this side of the pond??
Posted by: david at Dec 2, 2006 1:40:19 PM
Hello,
I currently reside in the USA and am trying to get my parents in the UK a pvr. I believe they have cable tv. Are there any compatible pvr's available.
Posted by: andy at Oct 30, 2007 11:59:52 PM
what pvr's out there work if connected to a skybox? any recommendations?
Posted by: mimi at May 27, 2008 11:55:28 AM
Looking for an instruction leaflet for PVR80 Digihome Digital Video Recorder. Any idea where I can get one?
Posted by: L Cheyne at Aug 9, 2008 10:17:05 PM
