A DVR is a gadget that can automatically capture, store, and replay TV shows. By continuously capturing a cache of live content as it airs, a DVR can also stop live TV. The user can later decide to quick forward to return to live television (often during ads).

The majority of satellite and cable TV providers offer DVR features in one of two ways: local DVR, which captures and keeps footage on local hard drives or solid-state drives integrated into receiver devices. Since no physical devices are offered by streaming TV services like YouTubeTV, cloud Recording is the only option available. The program directory can be used to plan DVR recordings; just peruse or scroll through the schedules and choose the shows you want to catch. Once the programs are taped, you can view a catalog of them whenever you want to watch them on demand.

The first specialized DVRs with the ability to capture and delay live Programming were created by TiVo. Devices from TiVo serve the same purposes as DVRs provided directly by cable or satellite providers, but they can be bought once rather than rented on a regular basis. While some TiVo systems can record free TV using an antenna, others can capture cable TV using a cable card supplied by the cable provider (without a cable or satellite subscription at all). Although TiVo users who purchase their own TiVo devices can escape paying their cable company's monthly leasing fees, they still have to pay a monthly charge for program listings if they want to make recording arrangements.