Cable/Satellite STBs With Built-in DVR

Recently, cable and satellite companies started offering Set Top Boxes (STBs) with built-in DVR capabilities. This simplified things by integrating two boxes into one. Programming shows is now easier with a single TV listing guide. Also, changing channels was made easier by not requiring an IR or serial port connection. Below is an example of a cable STB with DVR capabilities, and a satellite STB with DVR capabilities.

Scientific Atlanta 8300HD (cable STB)

• HD capable
• DVR capabilities:
• Record up to 90 hours of SD video
• Record up to 20 hours of HD video
• Pause/rewind live TV
• Record two shows at once
• Show recording manager
• HDMI output for digital video and audio
• Component video output
• Optical digital audio output
• Digital coaxial audio output
• Dual turners
• SATA input for an additional external hard drive
• Composite video output for a second TV.
• Upconvert / downconvert video capabilities
• Picture-in-picture capabilities
• Firewire port

Dish Player – DVR 942 (satellite STB)

• HD capable
• DVR capabilities:
• Record up to 180 hours of SD video
• Record up to 25 hours of HD video
• Pause/rewind live TV
• Record two shows at once
• Show recording manager
• HDMI output for digital video and audio (TV1 only)
• Component video output (TV1 only)
• Optical digital audio output (TV1 only)
• Two satellite turners
• Dual mode to allow viewing on two TVs
• "TV 2" standard definition video output only
• Upconvert / downconvert video capabilities
• Over-the-air antenna input
• Picture-in-picture capabilities
• Two USB 2.0 port
• Telephone port

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