DVR
How it Works
A cable DVR records TV shows to a specially designed “hard disk” similar to those used in personal computers. The advantage of this sort of storage over videotape has to do with capacity and control. Not only do cable DVRs store much more television than VCR tapes, they make it much easier to identify what programs you want to record, and they store all the programs you’ve recorded in one easily accessible place. Rather than sort through a stack of videotapes to find the program, you simply select it from a menu appearing on your TV set.
That’s not all. Cable DVRs also allow you to use many VCR-like controls, even while you’re watching live TV. For instance, you can pause a live program while you answer the phone, or replay a scene that you want to watch again. Just point your remote and click.