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PVRs: Features explained

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How a PVR works

A PVR is a digital TV recorder. Instead of tapes or discs they record programmes on to an internal hard disk. 

They're really easy to use as there are no fiddly timers to program. Just select the shows you want to record from the electronic programme guide that appears on-screen. They've got massive recording capacity too – 80 hours or more is typical.

Some PVRs such as the Sky HD and Virgin V+ models can receive high-definition (HD) TV, but you have to pay a subscription and content is rather limited. There are no current plans to introduce HD content on Freeview in the near future, though this could come in the longer term.

Different types of PVRs

There are four different types of PVR depending on which TV service you receive. The main three are Sky satellite, Virgin cable and Freeview, but there's also a fourth service known as TopUpTV. This, in addition to receiving the Freeview channels, gives you access to programming from extra digital channels for a monthly fee. Have a look at the PVR options page for more information.

Freeview features

An integrated tuner will allow you to watch Freeview without a set top box.

Top-Up TV Anytime

Top-Up TV offer an enhancement to the Freeview digital TV service. It offers selected programmes from the following 19 channels via their overnight download service – UKTV Gold, Living TV, Paramount Comedy, MTV, TCM, Disney, Nickleodeon, Cartoon Network, Boomerang Toonami, Discovery, Animal Planet, Bloomberg, British Eurosport, Life and Times, UKTV Style, UKTV Food and Discovery Lifestyle.

You'll need to buy their special PVR (£150) and pay a monthly fee (£9.99) to access these. For £5 per month extra you can also sign up to PictureBox, its movies on-demand service, with 30 films a month from Universal Pictures. You can also pay extra to get Setanta Sports too.

Essential features

Capacity

The size of the hard disk inside a PVR varies: The larger the hard disk, the more recordings you can store - an 80GB hard-disk will give you around 40 hours of recording time, a 160GB disk will give you 80 hours etc. The Sky and Virgin Media PVRs that record high definition TV will use up space roughly 4 times as quickly when recording HD content.

Number of tuners

Unless you've already got a TV with a built-in digital tuner (IDTV), you’ll need a PVR with two digital tuners to give you the flexibility to record one show while you watch another.

Humax EPG

Electronic programme guide (EPG)

The on-screen EPG makes it easy to program a PVR but, unfortunately, not all EPGs are particularly well-designed, meaning some PVRs are easier to use than others. The Sky EPG is an example of a particularly good one but there are Freeview PVRs with good EPGs too.

Recording buffer

TV shows don’t always start and finish bang on time. PVRs with the new 'Freeview Playback' facility respond to start/stop signals transmitted by the broadcaster and will record the whole programme even if they start early or overrun. But for other PVRs it’s handy if the PVR automatically ‘pads’ the recording times by a few minutes either end so you don’t miss the start or finish of the programme.

Picture-in-Picture (PiP) on EPG

When using the electronic programme guide (EPG) some PVRs display a small picture of the channel you’re tuned to in the corner, so you can continue watching while you search the listings.

Pause

Virtually all PVRs offer the option of ‘pausing’ live TV. If you’re interrupted in the middle of a programme, hit pause and the PVR starts recording what you’re watching. Hit pause again when you're ready to continue watching and the programme starts from the point you stopped at, as though you were watching live. The PVR continues to record the whole programme so you don't miss a thing.

Scart lead

You’ll need a Scart lead to connect the PVR to the TV, check to see if one’s included.  If not you can buy one separately for around £10.

Editing

Only a few models let you edit recording after you've made them. This could be useful if you want to chop out the ad breaks or top-and-tail recordings where they've started early or overrun.