PVR Technology

PVRs (personal video recorders) are now a key part of the digital TV landscape and those who have them, swear by them. Indeed recent research has shown that customer satisfaction levels of PVRs are higher than almost any other product ever tested.

PVRs are essentially the next generation of video recorder, but are such a vast improvement on the old technology that they are capable of completely transforming how your family watches TV.

In a nutshell PVRs allow you to do three things:

1. Record single programmes or whole series at the touch of one button. The programmes are recorded onto a hard disk within the PVR so they are stored likes songs on an iPod and can be deleted when finished with. Storage capacity varies by PVR, but some offer over 80 hours of storage. The EPG (electronic programme guide) allows you to very simply select any programme broadcast within the next two weeks and automatically record it.

2. Pause the live television signal, so that you can pause the TV if the phone rings for example and start your viewing again when you have finished your phone conversation.

3. Rewind the TV if you want see something again, or even watch it again in slow motion. The hard drives on PVRs will determine how many programmes you can store on the PVR memory. Different PVRs have different functions and features. For instance, some PVRs have a function called a "twin tuner" which will allow you to record two channels at the same time, whilst you watch a third one. And there are some PVRs which allow you to pause and rewind live TV, so you don't miss a moment of the action.

TiVo originally introduced PVRs into the UK, but it was Sky that really brought PVRs into mass ownership with the launch of Sky+ and Sky+ HD. And now over 4 million Sky homes now have Sky+ up and running. TiVo is now used in the latest Virgin Media set top boxes

Other digital TV providers have launched their own PVRs which can be very good alternatives. These include: Top Up TV, BT Vision and Freeview. In addition, Freesat also offer their own PVR service and currently offer the only subscription free HD service out there so you can watch programs in spectacular High Definition without having to pay a monthly fee.