Buying A Digital Video Recorder DVRA Digital Video Recorder, commonly known as a DVR recorder, is a recording device that enables the user to record video images to DVDs. A DVR recorder comes in many shapes and sizes and is produced for use in desktop and laptop computers, set-top player/recorder models, and is now often built into new television models for the recording of favorite shows or movies from programming. The hard-disk based DVR recorder was first introduced to the world for in-home use in 1999 at the Consumer Electronics Show in Las Vegas, NV, though television giant CBS has used the hardware for nearly forty years in its own commercial productions. The device was introduced in its two earliest forms: ReplayTV and TiVo. TiVo would go on to achieve much more success early game, but cable and satellite companies have now begun to put a DVR recorder from a variety of producers in their set-top boxes for their customers. The dual-tuner DVR recorder was introduced in 2003 and is now much more popular among the television-viewing crowd. While previously impossible, the dual-tuner models give viewers the option to view one program while simultaneously recording a program on another channel. Some newer models even allow for the viewing of one show while recording two others. The DVR recorder is very popular addition to the personal computer. Both Macintosh and Microsoft computers now utilize a DVR recorder in many of their consumer electronics. Macintosh allows for the recording of their many internet broadcasts as well as personal movies and videos either through a webcam or through other means. Microsoft primarily utilizes a DVR recorder through the Windows Media Center, allowing for similar applications to that of the Macintosh software. A DVR recorder can also be used to copy other DVDs, though this process is illegal in some instances. Infringement upon copyright laws is punishable by law, though some DVD companies allow the reproduction of video and software but normally in limited quantities per consumer. Contrastingly, copying is sometime allowed at an unlimited rate with no risk of punishment. The DVR recorder has become a very valuable electronic system to CCTV surveillance companies as well. Closed-circuit television companies are now utilizing a DVR recorder to permanently document the video observations for companies and homes for personal, safety, and security reasons. |