Understanding your Personal Video Recorder
Recording for the digital age
With the decline of VHS it can be a challenge trying to decide how best to make sure you catch that must-see television show! If you're unsure about DVD recorders and can no longer stand the poor quality of your old VHS then why not check out the digital clarity of a hard drive recorder?
What exactly is a hard drive recorder?
Instead of using videos or DVDs to record onto, a Personal Video Recorder (PVR) will digitally store your programmes on a special hard drive, much like what you'd find in a regular PC. How much television you can record in total will depend upon the size of your hard drive. A rough idea of scale would be to say that 40GB will give you 18 - 20 hours of video, 80GB: about 35 - 40 hours and 160GB: about 75 - 80 hours (although this will depend on the quality of video you record).
Why is digital recording better?
First of all, there are no tapes or discs to store and no need to scrabble for a blank tape or disk at the last minute! The PVR is always there, always ready and you need never fear accidentally recording over another of your programs as the PVR will only ever record onto free areas of the hard drive.
Can it do anything else?
The majority of PVRs currently available boast an integrated Freeview tuner to provide you with sharp digital visual clarity, access to digital interactive options and a range of television and radio stations only available through a Digital Terrestrial Television (DTT) tuner. Also, some PVRs feature a twin-tuner, which allows you to record from one channel while watching another. If necessary you can even record from two channels at the same time!
But I don't want another box!
If you're less than keen to put yet another gadget under your TV there is another way. Why not get it all in one with a little bit more for good measure? For instance, some of the latest televisions offer not only an HD Ready, widescreen LCD display but also boast an integrated Freeview digital tuner as well as an integrated PVR allowing you to record your favourite TV programmes easily with no fuss and no clutter!
Check out our range of PVRs and televisions.
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