# DVR recommendations **URL:** \ **Category:** Cafe Society\ **Created:** [January 14, 2007, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvr-recommendations/387948 "2007-01-14T16:35:53Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 3\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2007, 4:35pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvr-recommendations/387948/1 "2007-01-14T16:35:53Z")
It seems we can’t get along with just 1 TiVo unit. There’s no computer in the room with the cable box, so I’m looking for a stand-alone unit. I probably don’t even need a TiVo subscription if there’s a unit I can set like a VCR to record time/channel. Heck, I probably don’t even need an interface to the cable box–I’ll just set it to the channel I want while I watch something else. So, who makes DVRs, and where can I get a cheap one? Is this a GQ? IMHO? I put it here in CS because I figured all these TV watchers would know the most about it. ---
**Author:** ![Liberal](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/l/848f3c/32.png) [@Liberal](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Liberal)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2007, 4:48pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvr-recommendations/387948/2 "2007-01-14T16:48:06Z")
Our DVR is supplied by Time Warner, our cable provider. Their local competition also provides one to their subscribers. ---
**Author:** ![flex727](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/258eb7/32.png) [@flex727](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flex727)\ **Post date:** [January 14, 2007, 6:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/dvr-recommendations/387948/3 "2007-01-14T18:16:36Z")
I’ve never understood why a hard disk based VCR has not been made widely available. Maybe the hardware is just too expensive when not subsidized by subscription to a service. That said, a second TiVo can be had for nothing and the second monthly fee is only $6.95. Another option is a DVR from your cable provider for about $5/mon extra over your current box. You can even get dual tuners in all likelihood.