Learn more about what a DVR is to help determine if you need one for your TV.
What Is a DVR and How Does It Work?
DVRs became popular in the late 1990s with the introduction of TiVo.
Watching stored video allows you to rewind and fast forward at will.
If you are watching live TV, you might pause and pick up where you left off.
What Is a DVR Used For?
DVRs are primarily used to record movies and TV shows so you’re able to watch them later.
you’re able to typically set up your DVR to record specific shows or events when they air.
DVRs with multiple tuners built-in can even record multiple channels simultaneously.
The DVR sets aside buffer space on the hard drive so it can constantly record live TV.
This makes it possible to pause and rewind live broadcasts.
Aside from recording TV, there are also DVRs for recording live camera feeds.
These devices are typically used as part of security systems to store surveillance footage.
Do I Need a DVR With a Smart TV?
You only need a DVR if you have a live television service that supports it.
Even if you download the app for specific networks (like NBC, CW, etc.
), there’s no way to record on-demand shows and movies.
That said, some streaming providers offer live television with cloud DVR.
For example, you canrecord Hulu+ Live TVso long as you have a compatible rig.
After signing up, they would swap your old cable box out with one that had DVR functionality.
This is less common in the modern day, but it still is offered.
A cloud DVR is less a formal product name and more a feature description.
For a long time, DVRs were their own separate boxes that sat under the TV.
