When choosing between TV service providers, a DVR (Digital Video Recorder) device is one of the key points one may consider. Features of such piece of TV equipment are:
- Recording multiple shows at once
- Playing multiple shows on multiple TVs
- Programming DVR for multiple recording
- Using Internet connected devices to manage DVR
- Be HDMI capable
With this in mind, let’s see how AT&T U-verse DVR stands compared to Verizon FiOS. AT&T U-verse and Verizon FiOS are comparable Internet based TV services as they’re both digitized and delivered over high speed Internet connection.
As of now, AT&T U-verse offers three types of DVR, plus an option of Xbox 360 integration:
- DVR Receiver (better known as Total Home DVR)
- Wireless Receiver (no TV wires except HDMI connection between TV and the receiver)
- Standard Receiver (no recording)
- Integration with Xbox 360 (requires at least one standard receiver). See more in our post AT&T U-verse TV and Xbox 360
Verizon FiOS is similar in its offer:
- Multi-Room DVR (multiple TVs)
- DVR (a single TV)
- Set Top Box (no recording, can be paired with Multi-Room DVR)
- CableCARD option (Use FiOS TV FiOS TV on CableCARD compatible devices, such as a digital-cable-ready television)
In order to have this comparison fair, we’ll look into AT&T U-verse Total Home DVR vs. Verizon FiOS Multi-Room DVR.
|
DVR Feature
|
AT&T U-verse Total Home DVR
|
Verizon FiOS Multi-Room DVR
|
| Number of shows recorded at the same time |
4
|
2
|
| Simultaneous live program watching and recording |
Yes, up to 4 live programs
(record 3 while watching the 4th one. If recording 4 shows at the same time, only recorded show can be watched as a 5th one) |
Yes, up to 2 live programs at the time
(record 1 while watching the other one. If recording 2 shows at the same time, only recorded show can be watched as a third one) |
| Number of simultaneous HD streams |
3
|
1
|
| Control remotely via Internet enabled device like smartphone |
Yes
|
Yes
|
| Recording space capacity (time) |
up to 233 hours of SD
or 65 hours of HD content |
up to 80 hours of SD
or 20 hours of HD content |
| Switch play back of recorded shows from one to another TV (room) |
Yes
|
Yes
|
After finding all information needed for deciding which DVR fits better, what should be kept in mind is that DVR is just one of the elements that should influence the judgment between the two services. Additional possible requirements like a need for a wireless receiver can be of crucial importance. As of now, AT&T U-verse seems to be the only one offering such (Cisco wireless receiver).
One more thing to consider is the price. AT&T U-verse offers its DVR as included in some packages, and charges it with some other lower ones. Verizon charges $19.99/month for its Multi-Room DVR as a part of FiOS TV service.
We have one more article concerning the comparison between AT&T U-verse and Verizon FiOS: AT&T Uverse vs. Verizon FiOS. This one looked into the all general aspects of the two TV services.
We also feature some other comparisons: