The 3 Most Important Factors to Consider When Buying a DVR
The world of digital video recorders (DVRs) has changed drastically since they have been introduced to the public, so if you’re weighing your options, you need to consider a few things before you decide to buy a specific model. Only by carefully considering all your choices you’ll be able to make a smart investment that will last you for many years. But in order to do that, you’ll need to ask yourself the following questions.
How Are You Getting TV?
If you’re subscribed to a satellite or a cable provider, you’ll usually get a DVR with your plan. Different companies offer different options with various features to enhance your DVR experience. However, you’ll usually have to pay for the digital video recorder for TV monthly, just like you’ll have to pay for the service. If you’re relying on an HD antenna to broadcast stations, you have DVR options as well. Again, you’ll have to buy the digital video recorder for TV, as well as all the necessary accessories needed to get it to work, so your upfront costs will be higher. Additionally, you need to make sure the DVR can connect to your home’s entertainment systems. Most cable connections are now HDMI, so if you’re connecting an old TV to a new DVR, you need to make sure you have the proper cables.
How Much Do You Need/Want to Record?
Just like when you’re buying a tablet, a smartphone, a computer or a laptop, you need to consider the storage capacity of the DVR. A lot of people underestimate just how easy it is to fill up the DVR, and at some point, they’ll have to decide what to keep and delete in order to have some free space. However, storage is becoming less and less of an issue lately, as many new DVRs are now made with over 500GB hard drives. Some cable companies also offer cloud storage as well. But how do you know how many hours of TV you can get on your DVR? Well, it all depends on the quality of the recorded content and on the individual DVR. However, generally, a standard definition recording takes up about 1GB for every hour. High-definition content, on the other hand, takes up about 6GB of space for every hour.
Do You Want a Whole-Home DVR Solution?
If you want to access your DVR content from multiple TVs around your home, you need to make sure that the DVR has this option available. Some DVRs make this easy with the use of smaller satellite boxes, while others don’t have that option. Some DVRs include the option to access your DVR from mobile devices and streaming apps, while others don’t.
