We all remember the commercial of a guy watching a football game, pausing the game, running to the store, then coming home to watch the rest of his game. This advertisement was for a special device called DVR (digital video recorder), which now has become a household name. DVR is close to a VCR, but instead of saving programs or movies on a tape, it gets saved on a special hard disk. This hard disk in located in a fancy box that sets on top of your TV or entertainment center. Amazingly the hard disk technology allows you to pause, fast foreword , record or even rewind live TV (known as "time shifting"). It's controlled by a special remote that looks and acts just like a DVD or VCR player remote. They have the play, stop, record, fast forward, etc. buttons.

DVR was first introduced in 1999 at the Consumer Electronic Show in Las Vegas. That following March Tivo (a brand of DVR) started to sell. At present time there are all kinds of brands by many companies. Each brand offers different space on the hard disk; Tivo HD offers 120 hours and standard DVR offers about 90 hours. They even record HD [high definition] programs. Now a days they've made dual recorders (introduced in 2003), which can record up to two shows at once and allowing you to watch another recorded show at the same time. Which is a convenient way to watch your shows if they are aired at the same time, or if aired too late into the night.  Some services only charge an extra $5 a month. With that kind of discount, who can turn that down? Other Services even give DVR boxes for free when you sign up with them (even installation is free)! No matter what kind of TV service you have, there is a DVR right for you. From regular Tivos, to satellite DVRS and Digital Cable DVRs.

Unfortunately there is one main concern about DVRs; Privacy. CCTV (closed-circuit television) are recording surveillance video [and some audio], from your DVR box. This allows the companies to view and monitor what you are watching and when you are watching it. Collecting data of your viewing habits. Another concern are the bugs and tweaks your DVR might have. Such as recording programs that aren't supposed to be recorded or vice versa, picture glitches, and space mess ups. Thank god for technical support! If you are having a problem with your DVR, there is someone who can fix or replace your box. There are even companies targeting PC users. Linux, Mac, Windows offer the software called PVR (personal video recorder)
 
With the world at a fast speed these days, DVR makes life a little more convenient. Now you'll able to watch your shows when you want. Most people who own a DVR are just amazed by it. Saying "one of the BEST inventions of all time" and "I would suggest getting one if you are a TV lover". The best part of DVR is skipping all those annoying commercials. There is even a step by step guide on how to use it on some models. Soon companies will be offering the DVR software built into TVs!.