Mel,

Lets see DVRs are just next generation VCRs...well two generations if you count DVD players.

A TIVO is a type of DVR, just a brand name. It was the first DVR. But now that technology has advanced, all the satellite and cable companies offer DVRs within their own set top boxes so you dont need an extra box or peiece of equipment. WIth TIVO its an extra box.

At first we had TIVO which was great. BUt now that everyone overs a DVR with service no need for it.

You can call directv and ask them to add DVR service. THey may or may not need to exchange your box which they will come and do.

And it may cost an extra $5 or $8 a month for the DVR service but but its great.

So think of the DVR hard drive as an extra big VCR tape that hold up to 30 hours of programming.

And you just program it via the same remote as the TV from Direct TV.

And you can watch one program and tape another at the same time.

And tape multiple programs simultaneously.

Then just watch at your leisure.

The best ever is you can watch a show live and actually rewind to watch something over.

So difference may be that instead of you and Alan switching tapes to watch something you watch it whenever you want or you switch TVs if you only have the DVR on one TV.

And when you tape on DVRs you select the program name from a TV guide like screen, no need to set times like a VCR.

Does that answer your questions.

Its interesting to look back at technology and wonder how did we live without this stuff like DVR and Ipods etc.