Choice. You'll have much less variety in terms of hard drive space, recording quality, what type of program guide you want, etc., from a rented DVR.
Flexibility. Many rented DVRs don't allow you to choose your recording quality, which means you have less control over how you use your hard drive. Example: You might want to save that special report series on CNBC while you travel during the week, but you probably don't need it taking up 8 hours' worth of hard drive space.
Archiving. External archiving is possible for most rented DVRs, but we've yet to see one with an internal VCR or DVD recorder — a perk which makes for easier setup and archiving.

Q: Why would my DVR need to use the phone line? Will there be long-distance calls? How does it get program guide updates if it doesn't use the phone line?

A: Some program guide services, such as TiVo, may need to use your phone line for the initial setup, as well as to receive program guide and software updates. The update calls are very brief, usually less than a minute, and happen every 24-48 hours. They are done in the middle of the night so as not to interfere with your regular phone use. For most areas, there is a local number for TiVo to call. If there is no local number, the call is long-distance.

Alternatively, TiVo DVRs can receive updates via a broadband Internet connection (though you'll still need the phone line for the initial setup). Digital Entertainment Centers also use a broadband connection to download programming information. Other services, such as TV Guide On Screen®, use a Host Station. This is a station that periodically broadcasts up-to-date information for On Screen to use. However, some customers in more remote areas may not receive broadcasts from a Host Station and so could not use On Screen.

Depending on your service, your DVR may also send back anonymous information to your service provider regarding your viewing choices with your consent. For more detailed privacy policies, see your provider's website.

Q: Will TV Guide On Screen work with digital cable?

A: Yes, for the most part. Although On Screen has had compatibility problems with some digital cable services in the past, many of those issues have been resolved.

Q: Will TV Guide On Screen work with satellite receivers?

A: Sort of. Satellite receivers don't include TV Guide On Screen since satellite providers uses their own program guides. However, a growing number of satellite receivers can pass their program guide information to a separate device with TV Guide On Screen, like a DVD recorder. This lets you use the DVD recorder's TV Guide On Screen menu to find programs you'd like to watch and set up timer recordings. The DVD recorder then sends this information back to the satellite receiver via an IR blaster.

Q: Do DVRs allow me to fast-forward through commercials?

A: Only in pre-recorded material. DVRs cannot jump ahead of live, "real time" broadcasts. One popular solution is to start recording a show, then wait — 10 minutes for a 30-minute show or 20 minutes for a 60-minute show — and watch it from the beginning. Your DVR keeps recording as you watch. This way, you can fast-forward through all the commercials, and finish watching the show at the same time the show ends on live TV. In other words, you've caught back up to "real time," minus all the stuff you didn't want to see.

Q: Can I record pay-per-view channels?

A: Yes. Once you've purchased a pay-per-view program from your cable or satellite company, most DVRs will be able to record that program.

Q: Can I copy DVDs or VHS tapes to the hard drive?

A: If it is a home movie, or something else that is not copy protected in any way, many DVRs will allow you to record it to the hard drive. But it is not possible to record copy protected material using internal or external DVD recorders or VCRs. Both the media (DVDs or VHS tapes) and the component (DVR, DVD player/recorder, etc.) include forms of copy protection which will prevent you from copying protected material.

Q: Can I record HDTV?

A: Some DVRs are capable of recording and playing back high-definition programs. In order to record and watch HDTV, you'll need an HDTV source (such as local over-the-air HD broadcasts or cable or satellite service with HD programming), a DVR capable of recording in HD, and an HD-capable television.

Q: Can I record in 5.1 surround sound?

A: DVRs with high-definition recording capability can record multichannel audio information. Currently there are only a few HD-capable DVRs. Keep in mind, though, that even if your DVR can't record in 5.1, an A/V receiver with Dolby® Pro Logic® II or Dolby Pro Logic IIx can expand any 2-channel signal into convincing 5.1, 6.1, or even 7.1 surround sound.

Q: Can I transfer a recorded program to another device, such as a VCR or DVD recorder?

A: This will depend on the outputs available on your DVR. Many have more than one set of A/V outputs, making transfer to an external VCR or DVD recorder possible. Don't forget: Because most DVRs aren't capable of high-speed dubbing to an internal or external DVD recorder or VCR, an hour-long program will still take an hour to copy. A few combo DVR/DVD recorder units are capable of high-speed dubbing.

Q: What are the different levels of recording quality? Why would I want to record at higher or lower qualities?

A: Recording quality settings (and the terms used to describe them) vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. Your options usually range roughly from VHS-quality to DVD-quality, but some DVRs even allow full-quality high-definition recording. Lower-quality recordings take up less space on the hard drive; higher-quality recordings take up more space. Example: If you wanted to record every episode of Thomas the Tank Engine so that you can play your child's favorite show at any time, you might opt for lower quality to conserve space. If you wanted to save the Friday night action movie to watch with your friends, you might opt for higher quality to get a more exciting and absorbing experience.

Q: How can I connect my DVR to my TV to get the best possible picture?

A: That will depend on the types of outputs on your DVR and the inputs available on your TV. Here are the possible analog and digital options:

Analog (from highest to lowest quality):

Component video: This 3-jack connection provides the best color accuracy. Some current DVRs include it, and mid-priced to high-end TVs made in the past few years will usually have it as well.
S-video: Every DVR we've seen has at least one S-video output. This connection yields superb picture quality — nearly as good as component.
Composite video (RCA jack): All DVRs will also have a composite video output. It's a slight step down in overall sharpness and color accuracy from S-video, but still good.
RF (antenna type): Every TV has at least one of these inputs for your antenna or cable connection; on older TVs, it might be the only input. A lot of DVRs have RF outputs, but not all of them. If your DVR does not have an RF out, and your TV requires that connection, you'll need an adapter called an RF modulator that installs between the DVR and the TV.

Digital:

HDMI (High-Definition Media Interface): Many high-definition DVRs have this kind of output. Similar to DVI (below), the multi-pin HDMI interface transfers uncompressed digital video with HDCP copy protection. Unlike DVI, HDMI is also capable of transmitting multichannel audio. With the addition of an adapter, HDMI is backward-compatible with most current DVI connections (video only).
DVI (Digital Visual Interface): A few DVRs have this kind of output. It carries high-resolution video signals to HDTV monitors with a compatible connector. The signals are encrypted with High-bandwidth Digital Content Protection (HDCP) to prevent illegal copying.
IEEE 1394 (also FireWire or i.LINK®): This allows you to connect a compatible digital camcorder to your DVR for playback on your TV or archiving. A few DVRs also use this kind of connection to transmit high-definition audio/video information to and from your HD-capable TV.

Q: Can I watch a show I recorded earlier while recording another show?

A: Yes — that's one of the coolest advantages of DVRs.

Q: Can I watch one live program while recording another?

A: To do this, you'll need two tuners. Most DVRs don't come with dual tuners, but you can take advantage of another component in your home theater system that has a built-in tuner, such as your TV or VCR.

Q: Can I record two shows at the same time?

A: In order to record two shows at the same time, you'll need a DVR with dual tuners built in.

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