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How to find the best PVR for you
You'll find PVRs in the shops priced from £90 to £900, but before you hand over your cash, watch our video guide to find out what you should be looking for and how Which? PVR reviews can help ensure you don't buy the wrong model.
Which? video guide to buying a PVR
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If you've made the switch to digital or high-definition TV, a PVR or HD PVR will make recording your favourite TV programmes a lot easier. Get the lowdown on PVRs from Which? experts in our video guide.
Choosing the right kind of PVR for your home
What is a PVR?
Personal video recorders (PVRs) are like digital TV set-top boxes, except they let you record what you're watching. They use an internal hard drive to store programmes, so there's no messing around with tapes or discs.
The type of PVR you need will depend on whether you want to watch Freeview or Freesat, or subscription services such as Sky and Virgin.
Do I need an HD PVR?
Free-to-view high-definition TV programmes are now available via Freeview and Freesat though you'll need an HD-ready TV to view them and a Freeview/Freesat HD PVR to record programmes.
We've tested many new HD PVRs and several have been awarded Which? Best Buy status.
What should I look for in a PVR?
The best PVRs have well-designed electronic programme guides that make it easy to select the programmes you want to watch and record.
There are other important issues to consider, including the size of the hard drive, whether you want to be able to record one programme while watching another, and how noisy the PVR's fan is.
Digital TV jargon explained
If you don't know your EPG from your PVR, or your Scart from your VGA, you're not alone. That's why we've put together a TV jargon buster that explains key digital TV terms in plain English. Don't head to the shops without taking a look.
And if you need help setting up your PVR once you get it home, our interactive TV connection wizard can show you how it's done.
Which? tests more thoroughly than any other organisation
Which? assesses how well PVRs handle wayward TV schedules, so you can be sure the Which? Best Buy PVRs are easy to use.
The best PVRs ensure you'll never miss the start of your favourite show
Have you ever used a PVR only to find that the beginning or the end of the show was cut off? When Which? tests PVRs, we check whether they automatically add some ‘buffer’ time on either side of a programme – and whether it's adjusted properly when you record a consecutive show on a different channel.
