dvd player vs.tivo

[katmom]

...was shopping for dvd pllayer / burner and entered a whole new world! So, if i buy a dvd recorder with 100 gb hard drive with dvr capability how is that different than tivo or charter dvr service? It seems like it would still be storing on hard drive for playback and would record to dvd for my daughters Inuyashu (sp?) shows. Why have different boxes and different services? It seems like recording movies from my cable movie channels will be a no go due to copyright protection ( from what I have read) but can you record t.v.?
Help, I hate upgrading electronics.

[classicsat]

AFAIK, the guide data and recording features leave something to be desired on such units. TiVo has rich guide data and powerful recording features, as well as neat playback and networking/online features. For your young one, there is the Kidzone parental control system, which is partly overseen by real people.

With TiVo and the provider's DVR, they will record premium content, but only allow you to watch it from the DVR (no transfers or burning to DVD).

If cable or OTA is your source, TiVo does have a couple DVR models that fully support both sources, at the same time.

TiVo capacity is easily upgraded. Very easy on the HD models. Somewhat easy on the SD models.

[RonDawg]

The main differences among the various DVR's have to do with the interface. Some are little more than glorified VCR's, others enhance your TV viewing experience.

It's been a while since I was in the market for a DVD recorder, but when I was the latest and greatest thing was Gemstar's "TV Guide On Screen" system. In my opinion it's a piece of crap, even worse than cable company DVR's. I don't know what the latest DVD recorders offer for an EPG (electronic program guide).

All DVR's record TV (that's the whole point), it's how well they do it and how easy it is to learn that's the difference.