Pros
Set Top DVRs are great for controlling live TV and for setting shows to record days or weeks in advance, or to record entire seasons of a show. They are relatively easy to set up and the prices continue to drop.
For Set Top DVD Recorders, if you plan on saving most of the shows you record, the ability to record straight to a DVD is appealing. Even better, if the DVD Recorder also includes a Hard Drive (known as a DVD/HDD Recorder), you can record to the hard drive and then record to DVD, all with one machine.
PC TV can be an affordable option for consumers, but involves a lot more work. For people comfortable using PC's in their everday life, this may be a great option. Computer hardware and software pricing continues to drop rapidly, and the availability of many different applications for TV capture on a PC is a plus.
For Set Top DVD Recorders, if you plan on saving most of the shows you record, the ability to record straight to a DVD is appealing. Even better, if the DVD Recorder also includes a Hard Drive (known as a DVD/HDD Recorder), you can record to the hard drive and then record to DVD, all with one machine.
PC TV can be an affordable option for consumers, but involves a lot more work. For people comfortable using PC's in their everday life, this may be a great option. Computer hardware and software pricing continues to drop rapidly, and the availability of many different applications for TV capture on a PC is a plus.
Cons
One potential drawback for Set Top DVRs is the limited hard drive space. Eventually, if you're doing a lot of recording, your hard drive will fill up and you'll need to delete some shows. This may or may not be a problem depending on how often you watch the shows you record and the size of your hard drive. With DVRs, in order to save your programs, you must either keep them stored on the hard drive or record them to a VCR or DVD Recorder.
With Set Top DVD/HDD Recorders you're also limited in the size of the hard drive. DVD Recorders that only record to DVD are very affordable, while you can expect to pay a lot more for a DVD/HDD Recorder.
For PC TV, depending on your particular situation, you may need to install a video capture card or video capture and disc burning software.
In conclusion, the choices for recording television have expanded way beyond the VCR. DVRs, DVD Recorders and PC TV are all viable options for consumers. There is a TV capture method that fits all budgets and I encourage you to do some research and find a method that's right for you.
With Set Top DVD/HDD Recorders you're also limited in the size of the hard drive. DVD Recorders that only record to DVD are very affordable, while you can expect to pay a lot more for a DVD/HDD Recorder.
For PC TV, depending on your particular situation, you may need to install a video capture card or video capture and disc burning software.
In conclusion, the choices for recording television have expanded way beyond the VCR. DVRs, DVD Recorders and PC TV are all viable options for consumers. There is a TV capture method that fits all budgets and I encourage you to do some research and find a method that's right for you.