What’s a PVR (or DVR)?
PVR stands for Personal Video Recorder. DVR stands for Digital Video Recorder. But they're essentially the same thing. A PVR or DVR is a set-top box that attaches to your TV set, and which records programmes to a PC-type hard disk drive or recordable DVD drive (some PCs also offer PVR or DVR-like facilities). The basic functionality resembles that of an ordinary video-tape recorder, although it is much easier to program and use. For instance, with the Sky+ PVR box, if you view Sky's EPG, just clicking with your remote on a programme whose listing is diplayed onscreen will ensure that it's recorded at the proper time.

These types of recorder offer a much better quality of playback than VHS tape, and tend to revolutionize the viewing habits of people who use them - because they make 'time-shifting' of programmes much easier. For instance, if there's a good film being broadcast a 3 o'clock in the morning, it is an easy matter to record it while you're asleep and watch it when you want to. Some commentators liken the experience to being able to construct your own TV schedule. Viewers using such devices also tend to 'zap' through the ad breaks, because they commonly offer the ability to spool backwards and forwards through the recorded programme very fast.

Soon, devices are expected on the UK market which will combine a hard disk drive with a recordable DVD drive. This means you would be able to 'archive' programmes you want to keep, in perfect digital quality, onto DVDs - without taking up space on the hard drive.

Click here to go the 'Combi' listings, which include PVRs and DVRs for Freeview.