What is a DVR? This is a legit question. I have no idea what this contraption is.
It's a catch-all acronym for a class of devices used to record video.
Digital Video Recorder.
The greatest invention ever. It's an idiot proof VCR like device that is in your cable box. You can record single shows or automatically record entire seasons. I record the 5th season of 24 and it's just sitting there waiting for me whenever I get a chance to watch it. You never have to sit through commercials again-simply fast forward. For example a 3 hour football game can be watched in 45 minutes if you fast forward through the commercials, half time, replays, etc...
In short a DVR is just a glorified Computer Hardrive usually inside your Sat TV or Cable Box. It usually comes with a service like TIVO which allows you to program your recording choices using a much more spohistocated system than the old VCRs had.
For instance You can tell TIVO to record ONLY new Episodes of Survivor and keep only 5 Episodes on your DVR. THe program will even adjust to changes in prgogram scheduling as long as the online guide on your services has been updated correctly. (which is done by your Cable or Sat TV service)
Basically DVRs are about the best way to watch TV that I have ever found. You can watch A show while nother is being recorded. You can watch a previously recorded show while TWO shows are being recorded. You can even "PAUSE" live tv.
We rarely watch shows in real time anymore, it saves so much time because you eliminate all the commercials by Fast Frowarding through them. Now We can set aside a night to watch shows when we want to not when they are shown. Further we don't have to worry if the tape is in or rewound or set correctly. We use Tivo and their Season Pass system which allows you to program an entire season of a program in less than 5 minutes.
Tivo costs us 5 bucks a month and worth every penny.