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Let’s not kid ourselves, we may sign up for a cable connection to get live TV but most often than not it’s only the news that we end up watching live. For all our favorite TV shows, we set the DVRs to record.
Everyone is jamming to their own beats trying to manage their schedules, which don’t necessarily line up with show timetables. Missing the latest episode though is out of the question as is waiting for the rerun. So, not having a DVR that you can depend on, can ruin your viewing experience.
There are multiple DVRs in the market, but there aren’t a lot of right choices. Each cable provider offers a slew of DVR devices with varying features. With different storage limits and a varying number of simultaneous streams, there are a ton of things to check out before deciding on a DVR. If you have a big household and a DVR that only allows a very limited number of streams at a time, everyday quarrels are sure to become the norm at your place.
Choosing the right DVR recorder for cable TV deserves your time and attention and shouldn’t be an afterthought. Sure, you can change it down the road but that’s a hassle you’d be better off avoiding. To help you out, we’ve compiled the best DVR recorder each provider has to offer and listed their features so you can make an informed decision on the matter. So, let’s get to it.
Spectrum cable TV plans are the choice of many and while Spectrum’s channel lineup and service are a great attraction, its DVR has its own lure. Spectrum offers 200, 201, and 210—among which Spectrum 201 is your safest bet. Previously known as the World Box 2.0 and World Box DVR, Spectrum 201 HD Receiver and DVR is produced by two OEM brands: Humax and Technicolor. Both offer the same quality service and identical features so whichever you get your hands on will surely improve your TV experience.
The Spectrum201 offers an impressive variety of programming choices—including both Standard Definition (SD) and High Definition (HD) channels. The embedded DOCSIS 3.0 certified cable modem with 16x4 channel bonding makes data speed of 640 Mbps downstream and 160 Mbps upstream possible. Here, take a look at some of its key features:
The best part though is the price. Spectrum DVR box is quite affordable at a rent of $8.99 a month and depending on how many cable boxes you use you are charged a DVR service fee starting from $4.99 per month.
That said, Spectrum leaves room for ambiguity, it is not clear how many storage hours you get or the number of simultaneous recordings with the Spectrum DVR receiver. To get a definitive answer, you can reach out to Spectrum sales support at 855-423-0918.
Cox TV offers three DVR device services for you to choose from Essential DVR service, Preferred DVR service, and Ultimate DVR service, and among them, the Preferred DVR service is hands down the better option.
The reasoning is simple, both Essential and Preferred DVR services offer 250 hours of DVR storage space. But Essential only allows you to record two shows at once while Preferred allows for six. Ultimate DVR service, on the other hand, lets you record 24 shows simultaneously—a bit too much for an average household.
In many ways, Cox Preferred DVR also trumps the Spectrum201. For starters, it offers double storage. With 2 TB space, you can store up to 1000 hours of SD resolution shows. What’s more, the DVR has a mind of its own and helps you get quality content by recommending movies and shows based on what you have been watching lately. If you enjoy premium features as part of your DVR service, Cox Preferred DVR is bound to impress you.
The Preferred DVR equipment charges are $20 a month. Of course, you need a Cox Contour TV subscription for this DVR device.
DirecTV offers two DVR services Genie and the Genie 2. Both plans cost the same, but the latter also imposes a $99 fee for Wi-Fi set up. We recommend the standard Genie DVR as a perfect choice for most people, while Genie too is good for binge-watchers.
If you are a sports fan, Genie is the perfect DVR service and device for you as DIRECTV offers many sports channels and sports TV add-on packages, which include channels like NBA League Pass, FOX Soccer Plus, NHL Center Ice, and more. With the DIRECTV Genie by your side, you will never miss the chance to see your favorite team playing. You can simply set it to record a live match and then view it later in 4K whenever you get a chance.
Genie lets everyone in your household watch their favorite content from a single HD DVR. Here, take a look at its features:
The DirecTV DVR Genie used to come free with your DirecTV subscription, however, that is no longer the case. The provider now charges a $15 monthly advanced receiver service fee.
If you don’t like the DVR option your cable TV provider is offering, you can get a third-party device that is compatible with your cable TV. We find the TiVo EDGE to be the best third-party DVR out there. With the TiVo EDGE, you can record up to six shows at once and enjoy 300 hours of content storage space.
The TiVo EDGE is equipped with a QuickMode, which allows you to skip commercials by simply tapping a button. Furthermore, the TiVo EDGE comes with a voice remote with which you can control the service hands-free. And there’s more! You can manage and view your DVR recordings on the TiVo app, so you have your favorite shows and movies recorded with you wherever you go.
The only drawback of the TiVo EDGE is its upfront cost. You don’t just have to pay for the device but also a TiVo subscription which when combined with your monthly cable TV subscription can seem like a lot of money. If you are willing to deal with the drawbacks of a third-party DVR device for the plethora of the features it offers, the TiVo Edge is your best bet.
We have examined all the DVR recording devices offered by Spectrum cable TV, Cox, and DirecTV to suggest you the best one and also provided you with a decent third-party device option to help you find the best DVR for cable TV. If you get any of these DVR services, you are sure to have a good viewing experience.
All that is left for you to do is get a good cable TV package with a vast channel lineup for the ultimate viewing experience that you can enjoy and record to watch according to your convenience. For the best cable TV packages near you, visit BuyTVInternetPhone or call 855-349-9328
Whether or not you should buy a DVR solely depends upon your entertainment preferences. The biggest plus is DVR lets you record, repeat, and rewind shows and movies. You can have your favorite shows at your disposal all the time. However, even after buying DVR, you still have to pay for the service to keep it up to date. And, if you switch providers, you might find that your new cable service isn’t compatible with the device you own, which might limit your options.
Yes, high-end smart TVs boast built-in DVR features using which you can record your favorite shows and movies as they air.
Roku does not have in-built DVR capabilities or storage that you can use as a DVR to record shows and movies. However, you can use third-party apps in Roku channel store or cloud DVRs to record content.
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