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DVR – Better Than Live TV

What is DVR? A Digital Video Recorder, as its name implies, is a device to record video information (usually from a TV signal) and store it in a digital format. Digital Video Recorder (DVR) technology has been out for several years now, although this is the first year it will show up on a significant number of Christmas lists. DVR was first launched in 1999 by ReplayTV and TiVo, who were then followed by other manufacturers like Sony and Panasonic. It was originally called PTV or Personal TV receivers.

Some people think of it as another type of VCR, but as we’ll see there is a lot more to it. The DVR unit is actually a computer, and has all of the basic components a PC would have. This includes an IDE hard drive for storing the data, an operating system which is a custom version of Linux, and applications to execute the various functions of the unit. By the way, that should explain why we are doing a tech tip on something that is basically a consumer appliance. In fact, in the future we may do a tech tip on how to turn a PC you already own into a DVR unit. First though we will just cover general information about DVR for those readers who haven’t tried it yet.

To start, you need two things in addition to the DVR box. First is a cable or satellite provider so you have a choice of many TV programs; otherwise there is not much point to it. And second, you need TiVo.

What is TiVo? This is a service that has the program schedules and other information on all broadcasting satellite, cable, and local stations. This information is downloaded to your DVR via a phone modem. TiVo normally has a month of advance programming for any station, although the typical DVR unit will hold two weeks worth of complete data. The ‘other’ information we mentioned above includes things like the names of actors, actresses and director, the year a work was made, a brief description, and other data that you can eventually use as a searchable database. This is one area where DVR really stands out compared to VCR. Some of the other advantages include:

• Rewinding/Replaying live TV – The DVR holds a maximum of 30 minutes of live broadcast if it has been tuned to the channel you’re watching. You can rewind, pause, and slow-motion replay a live TV broadcast.
  
  
• Dual tuner – you can record 2 channels simultaneously or record on one tuner while you’re watching on another.
  
  
• TiVo Suggestions – This is a rating system to indicate your like or dislike of what you are watching. The rating system ranges from 3 thumbs up to 3 thumbs down, and TiVo will collect data on your watching habits and preferences and give you a list of programs it thinks you would enjoy in the future. The more you make use of this system the more accurate TiVo Suggestions will be. Once you have some confidence in it, you might want to take advantage of another option for TiVo to automatically record programs it thinks you will like.
  
  
• Wishlist - This in my opinion is the best function TiVo has. Think of this as a search engine like Google or Yahoo. You can search all 200+ channels of 2 weeks of future programming data with the search terms of your choice. You can search by actor/actress, director, title, category (i.e. sci-fi, drama, recreation, etc.) and more to narrow your search. The search results can be used to schedule a recording or be added to TiVo Suggestions. Better yet, you can create a Season Pass.
  
  
• Season Pass – If you have a favorite show or two (and who doesn’t?) this feature will make sure you never miss another episode. TiVo will automatically record all programming that you have added to its Season Pass list, whether it’s a mini-series or a daily or weekly show. You can also configure it not to record repeats or duplicate broadcasts. Can’t stay up late enough for Leno and Letterman? No problem! Add’m to the Season Pass and watch them the next day instead of the 6PM News. Have a favorite episode of the Simpsons? Once you’ve recorded it, you can save it to watch over and over again. And again, and again.
  
  
• Skip commercials – Contrary to popular opinion, TiVo does not eliminate the commercials when recording. However, if you are watching a recorded program later, you can skip right through those pesky ads. Unless you like commercials, of course.
  
  
• 35 to 140+ hours of recording – The smallest available DVR today is 40GB, which can hold about 35 hours of recording. The largest holds about 140 hours but you always have the option to upgrade to a bigger drive or add an additional secondary drive (http://weakness.com). Imagine having 140 hours or more of movies and other programming at your fingertips, and you never have to get up from the couch to find a VHS tape and load it into your VCR player. What a bother that was, eh?
  
  
• TiVo web programming – What if you are out of town or just still at work but forgot to program your TiVo? Once you have registered with TiVo.com, you can now login to a their website and do your programming on-line through TiVo, which will then automatically upload this new programming schedule to your DVR/TiVo at home. How cool is that?

DVR/TiVo Variations – There are a couple of different ways to get started in the DVR/TiVo revolution:

• A stand-alone system – You buy the DVR box, which needs to be plugged in to your cable box or satellite receiver. Most units come with a little wizard program that will get you signed up for TiVo service.
  
  
• DVR/TiVo with Satellite receiver – This is a package deal, and you pay a combined monthly fee for satellite service and TiVo.
  
  
• DVR/TiVo with DVD Recorder – Pioneer has come up with a DVR unit that includes a DVD recorder so you can save your favorite movies and programs to a DVD disk. It’s very convenient but pricey. They have two models that sell for $1,200 and $1,800! Take your pick.

With the exception of those Pioneer units, this technology has become very affordable, which is the real reason it’s now a hot topic. Five years ago, even with the bugs and limitations inherent in any new technology it was a great innovation, but a 30-hour DVR alone used to cost $400, plus a $10/month TiVo subscription. Today you can get a 40-hour DVR with a satellite receiver built-in for less than $80, with a much more stable OS (version 4.0) and additional capabilities. Subscription has gone down to less than $5/month or you can buy a lifetime subscription for about $300.

Tivo and DVR are so closely intertwined that most users refer to their DVR as a TiVo unit. And practically every consumer who has used TiVo says it has changed their life style. Or at least their TV viewing habits, which is almost the same thing for some people. We’re betting that once you try it, you won’t go back to regular TV. In fact, since our readers are a technical bunch, you may want to take it even further……

TiVo Hacks – Knowing that your DVR/TiVo is just a regular PC system with custom version of Linux, the possibilities of tinkering may be too tempting to resist. There are backdoor hacks, Easter eggs, remote control tweaks and more for adventurous consumers to try. Here are a few:

• Caller ID – since your DVR is already plugged into a phone, it can also run caller ID (provided you have the service) and show you on your TV screen who is calling you.
  
  
• Networking your TiVo – Connect your DVR with your existing LAN or USB and have it network with your other computers or even the web.
  
  
• TivoWeb – You can install or enable TiVo Web that can surf the web and send and receive emails.
  
  
• HMO – Home Media Option is not really a hack but more like an add-on that is available in some older models and the Series 2 version of TiVo. This option gives your TiVo more functionality like just a regular computer. You can share your files among other TiVo systems, upload JPG images, run slide shows, and much more.

Being the creative folk that we know you are, you may even come up with some tweaks and hacks we haven’t heard of. If so, please let us know.

Disclaimer - The Micro 2000 Tech Tip is a free service providing information only. While we use reasonable care to see that this information is correct, we do not guarantee it for accuracy, completeness or fitness for a particular purpose. Micro 2000, Inc. shall not be liable for damages of any kind in connection with the use or misuse of this information.