The Comcast Digital Video Recorder or DVR
If you are a subscriber to Comcast cable, then you probably have a Motorola DCT6412 Digital Video Recorder. This two-tuner DVR lets users record one show while watching another, or record two shows at the same time. And, like other DVRs, it allows you to Pause Live Tv, Rewind a TV show you are watching or Fast-Forward to Live TV. I use one of these DVRs all the time to schedule recordings in advance or to rewind and pause TV.
A New Discovery Using the DVR
I was surprised to discover a feature I'd never picked up on in the past while using my Comcast DVR. While watching a TV show that I hadn't planned on watching earlier, I realized I didn't have enough time to finish watching the show. I decided to hit the record button so I could see the rest of the show later. When I returned to finish watching the program, I discovered that the entire show had been recorded.
My Conclusions
I realized that the DVR is constantly recording the channel it is tuned to, so it is smart enough to go back to the beginning when set to record a program "on the fly." Recording an entire TV show from the beginning while already watching part of it will only work if the DVR has been tuned to that channel the entire time the show has been on.
An Example
I tune to channel 4 on the DVR and start watching Lost at 9:00pm. I then realize I have to leave and can't finish the show. All I need to do is hit the record button and the whole show will be recorded to the hard drive on the DVR. However, if I tune to Lost 15 minutes into it and start recording 10 minutes later I don't get the whole show, only the rest of the program.
Other DVRs?
This feature may work on other DVRs, such as TiVo or Satellite Provider Digital Video Recorders, as well. You might want to test it out for yourself.
More Digital Video Recording Quick Tips
If you are a subscriber to Comcast cable, then you probably have a Motorola DCT6412 Digital Video Recorder. This two-tuner DVR lets users record one show while watching another, or record two shows at the same time. And, like other DVRs, it allows you to Pause Live Tv, Rewind a TV show you are watching or Fast-Forward to Live TV. I use one of these DVRs all the time to schedule recordings in advance or to rewind and pause TV.
A New Discovery Using the DVR
I was surprised to discover a feature I'd never picked up on in the past while using my Comcast DVR. While watching a TV show that I hadn't planned on watching earlier, I realized I didn't have enough time to finish watching the show. I decided to hit the record button so I could see the rest of the show later. When I returned to finish watching the program, I discovered that the entire show had been recorded.
My Conclusions
I realized that the DVR is constantly recording the channel it is tuned to, so it is smart enough to go back to the beginning when set to record a program "on the fly." Recording an entire TV show from the beginning while already watching part of it will only work if the DVR has been tuned to that channel the entire time the show has been on.
An Example
I tune to channel 4 on the DVR and start watching Lost at 9:00pm. I then realize I have to leave and can't finish the show. All I need to do is hit the record button and the whole show will be recorded to the hard drive on the DVR. However, if I tune to Lost 15 minutes into it and start recording 10 minutes later I don't get the whole show, only the rest of the program.
Other DVRs?
This feature may work on other DVRs, such as TiVo or Satellite Provider Digital Video Recorders, as well. You might want to test it out for yourself.