This is a comparison of digital video recorder (DVR), also known as personal video recorder (PVR), software packages. Note: this is may be considered a comparison of DVB software, not all listed packages have recording capabilities.
General information
Basic general information for popular DVR software packages - not all actually record.
4.9.3 (Build 6535) October 15, 2010; 14 years ago (2010-10-15)
Not compatible with DVB tuners. While Snapstream is providing minor fixes for Beyond TV, they are no longer actively updating and developing the software as they are focusing on commercial applications. Despite the lack of a new version, their fanbase (in the forums) remains active and the program is still available.
21.0 "Omega" April 6, 2024; 7 months ago (2024-04-06)[8]
Cross-platform free and open-source software media center application, able to watch live or recorded TV, music, photos and has one of the most expansive collection of plugins/addons, enabling the system to do anything from browsing the web or downloading movies, to dimming the lights in the sitting room.
6.1.5.231022 October 22, 2023; 13 months ago (2023-10-22)[13]
Personal video recorder application for Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac and Docker. Supports a wide variety of devices, and a good set of features. Free for personal use. Commercial use requires a license.
Java based. SageTV was purchased by Google on June 20, 2011, and on August 10, 2015, it was announced that the project was converting to open-source development.[14]
Supports some older TechnoTrend/Hauppauge boxes which are not BDA compliant, such as the Dec 2000-t/3000-s and first generation Nova-t USB boxes, which are unsupported by other PVR software.
1.0.2 November 10, 2005; 19 years ago (2005-11-10)[15]
High quality television application for use with video capture cards on Linux systems. tvtime processes the input from a capture card and displays it on a computer monitor or projector
Bundled for no extra charge with VBox Home TV Gateway - Network TV Tuner, Manage and schedule recordings from any web browser, local or over the internet
^Emby Server is available for free under GPL which provides web access to the library. Client software is generally free when connected to an Emby Premiere-licensed server, though some, like Emby on the Windows Store, cost $4.99.[3]
^Premiere license costs $4.99/month, $49.99/year, or $99.99 for lifetime.[4]
^Porting MythTV to Windows is under development.[11]
DVB Guide info varies by broadcaster and TV service provider
No
Yes
No
Yes
Yes
?
Yes
Yes
Yes
?
Yes
Yes
Yes
Yes
^A system similar to TiVo's which enables the DVR/PVR application to record programs based on past viewing habits and interests.
^To take advantage of operating system power management with Beyond TV, the main user interface must be closed.
^ abcdSupports over-the-air EPG when using cards/boxes which support this functionality, and in areas where such a service is available. For example, over-the-air 7-day programme data is available in the UK for DVB-T services (Freeview, TopUp TV etc; DVB-T2 listings for Freeview HD are encrypted) and Freesat (DVB-S/S2).[f 8]
^Elgato's contract with TitanTV for the US market expired in 2010. When it expired, TV Guide became the sole EPG provider for EyeTV in the United States. There, one year of TV Guide EPG service costs $19.95.[20][21]
^Support is limited to content broadcast as 'copy freely' (DRM Free)
^Natively supports broadcast EPG. Able to use alternative EPG, like XMLTV and Schedules Direct in countries that don't provide a decent broadcast EPG.
^Support is limited to content broadcast as 'copy freely' (DRM Free)
^Unlike the UK DVB-T EPG, the Freesat EPG uses its own channel and thus must be specifically set up in order to be used. Consequently support for DVB EPG may be insufficient to access it.
^Supports XMLTV programme data which is provided by various sources for various costs depending on territory. For example, the (supported) 14-day Radio Times feed for the UK is free of charge.
^Version 1.5.0 or higher required - only 'Copy Freely' support - No Encrypted 'Copy Once' support[22]
^ abvia aMPdroid app; requires WifiRemote and MpExtended plugins[23]
^Subscription-free EPG is available in areas where program listings data is freely available without violating copyright laws or data owners' Terms of Service. In North America, Schedules Direct provides legally-licensed EPG data for a nominal fee of $25 per year.[24]
^Support is limited to content broadcast as 'copy freely' (DRM Free)
^ abThe official MythTV plugin MythWeb allows users to browse the programme guide, schedule recordings, manage media and playback video via a Flash-based player, which works on Android phones and tablets.[25]
^Support is limited to content broadcast as 'copy freely' (DRM Free) - Smartphone and tablet control of the full range of Windows Media Center features is possible on iOS and Android.[26]
^Windows Media Center supports two NTSC (Analog) tuners and two ATSC (Digital) tuners out of the box. Using additional tuners requires registry modifications. Windows 7 Media Center supports up to 4 tuners of each type out of the box, DVB-T, DVB-S, NTSC/PAL.
^Windows Media Center supports CableCard when used on CableLabs certified OEM Hardware.[27] Windows 7 Media Center supports CableCard on any hardware that passes the Digital Cable Advisor tool in MCE.[28]
^Requires an external plug-in such as "DVRMSToolbox", "Lifextender" or "MCEBuddy"; not supported by Microsoft.
^Vista Media Center can do partial intelligent recordings based on keywords, actor(s) name(s), or genre.
^DVB-C is achievable using certain cards that are detected as DVB-T tuners. And also using addons such as DVBLink
Video format support
Information about what video codecs are implemented natively (without third-party add-ons) in the PVRs.
Each features is in context of computer-to-computer interaction.
All features must be available after the default install otherwise the feature needs a footnote.
1 Yes with registry change 2 Yes with retail third-party plugin 3 Yes with free supported third-party plugin 4 Yes with free unsupported third-party plugin 5 Yes with free third-party software Web Guide 4 6 Yes with add-on software called DVBLink Server 7 Yes with using symlinks, or just adding folders in settings