Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) are electronic devices used to record television shows, to record video to a hard disk in digital form, and other applications and uses. It is also known as a personal video recorder (PVR). The digital video recorders have all the important functions of videocassette recorders (VCR).

Programs can be directly stored on the storage medium of digital video recorders and users are also able to record the time, date and channel of recording. In the case of digital video recorder, the menu is accessed from a remote server, while in VCRs; the menu is obtained from the storage device itself. A dedicated phone line with Internet connection is required to connect this remote server.

The image quality of a digital video recorder is comparatively better than VCR recordings. The transfer of video data to CD-ROM or CD-RW and video archiving can be done with these recorders. One can also easily locate the show by using the search function. The users are able to watch their favorite shows, while the digital video recorder continues to record another. Additional features are fast forward, pause and replay functions. By using the DVR remote monitoring feature and a computer, users are able to watch their popular television shows from anywhere in the world.

Digital video recorders have a few disadvantages. The most common drawback is that it does not support high definition television broadcasts (HDTV).

Top manufacturers of digital video recorders include Hughes, Sony, TiVo, Humax, Toshiba, LG Electronics, and Samsung.