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To record a TV show, select it in your provider’s guide or search screen and choose Record; for a series, select the recurring or series-recording option if offered. To watch it elsewhere, use only a transfer or app-download method supported by the service, receiver, or TV that holds the recording. A DVR recording is not necessarily a portable video file: some are tied to a provider account, receiver, or the TV that recorded them.
How to schedule a TV recording
The buttons differ by provider and receiver, but recording usually starts from the program guide, a search result, or a show already playing.
From the guide or a program that is playing
Verizon Fios says to press Record while watching a show. To schedule a future program, open Guide, find the program, and press Record. Pressing Record twice opens series or recording-setting options on the equipment covered by its instructions. DISH describes a different route: use Search to find a title, person, or keyword, select the program, and choose Record; for live TV, use the receiver’s Record/Select controls. These are provider-specific examples, not universal remote instructions. See Verizon Fios recording instructions and DISH Hopper recording instructions.
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Open the receiver’s DVR or recordings list and select the program. Fios uses the DVR button and View Recordings; DISH organizes programs in My Recordings. Menus vary, so use the instructions for your provider and receiver.
#1 Best Overall
- WATCH, PAUSE, RECORD, & REPLAY LIVE TV: Enjoy live TV from major networks, including ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC(3), as well as a curated selection of free live streaming TV (FAST) channels. Channels and Content are subject to availability in their area. TV antenna range may vary based on topography, obstructions, and other variables.
- WHOLE-HOME ACCESS : 1 DVR and the included 35-mile range TV antenna(1) let you watch TV on multiple devices at once, including smartphones, tablets, as well as smart TVs & streaming players from Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Chromecast w/ Google TV, Apple TV, Samsung TV, LG TV. For a full list of all compatible devices, view the product carousel image or download the User Guide (PDF) from Product guides and documents section. Tablo is not compatible with non-smart TVs, specific TV models, computers (PCs) and Apple TV Voice over. Please check compatibility before making the purchase.
- EASY SETUP: Connect the Tablo DVR to the indoor TV antenna with the included 6' coaxial cable; connect Tablo to your home network via Wi-Fi or using the included Ethernet cable; download the Tablo app on your mobile device and follow the setup instructions (4). Scan the QR code on the included Quick Start Guide (Installation Manual) that will guide you through the entire product setup. Tablo devices do not come with HDMI cable.
- NO SUBSCRIPTIONS OR HIDDEN FEES: Pay once for the Tablo device and TV antenna to enjoy live, local TV, record your favorite shows, along with free streaming TV channels without contracts or ongoing fees (4). Tablo OTA DVRs are designed for homes with Wi-Fi-enabled routers and a consistent high-speed connection to the internet.
- RECORD MULTIPLE SHOWS: 4 ATSC 1.0 tuners within the device allow you to record one live TV channel while watching another for viewing flexibility.
Choose what “move a recording” means
Before trying to move a program, identify where it is stored. A recording may be in a provider’s cloud DVR, on a receiver’s internal storage, or on a USB drive formatted and registered to a compatible TV or receiver. The available route depends on that storage and on the program’s access restrictions.
- Watch on another supported device: use the provider’s app or receiver features if the service permits access.
- Watch offline on a phone or tablet: download an eligible recording through the provider’s app, where available. This does not necessarily create a general-purpose video file.
- Archive to external storage: use only the transfer procedure documented for the specific receiver and drive.
- Record broadcasts to a TV-attached USB drive: this is a separate TV feature, with model-specific drive requirements and playback limits.
Transfer recordings to an external drive
External-drive transfer is not a standard DVR feature. Follow the instructions for the exact receiver, and check account and drive compatibility before connecting or formatting anything.
Rank #2
- WATCH, PAUSE, RECORD, & REPLAY LIVE TV: Enjoy live TV from major networks, including ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC(2), as well as a curated selection of free live streaming TV (FAST) channels. Channels and content are subject to availability in your area. TV antenna range may vary based on topography, obstructions, and other variables.
- WHOLE-HOME ACCESS : 1 DVR and the included 35-mile range TV antenna(1) let you watch TV on multiple devices at once, including smartphones, tablets, as well as smart TVs & streaming players from Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast w/ Google TV, Samsung TV, LG TV. Tablo is not compatible with non-smart TVs, specific TV models, computers (PCs) and Apple TV Voice over. Please check compatibility before making the purchase.
- EASY SETUP: Connect the Tablo DVR to the indoor TV antenna with the included 6' coaxial cable; connect Tablo to your home network via Wi-Fi or using the included Ethernet cable; download the Tablo app on your mobile device and follow the setup instructions(4). Scan the QR code on the included Quick Start Guide (Installation Manual) that will guide you through the entire product setup.
- NO SUBSCRIPTIONS OR HIDDEN FEES: Pay once for the Tablo device and TV antenna to enjoy live, local TV, record your favorite shows, along with free streaming TV channels without contracts or ongoing fees. Tablo OTA DVRs are designed for homes with Wi-Fi-enabled routers and a consistent high-speed connection to the internet.
- RECORD MULTIPLE SHOWS: 2 ATSC 1.0 tuners within the device allow you to record one live TV channel while watching another for viewing flexibility.
Bell PVRs
Bell documents USB hard-drive transfers for certain HD PVR Plus receivers, including models 9241, 9242, 9400, and 9500. Its receiver-specific guide describes selecting a recording and choosing Archive Events. Bell says a drive used with a different receiver may need to be reformatted; moving it between receivers of the same class on the same account is supported. Check Bell’s external hard-drive compatibility instructions and the Bell transfer procedure for your receiver.
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DISH Hopper
DISH describes selecting programs in Manage Recordings and transferring them to an external drive. To move recordings back, select the external drive under Sources and choose Transfer to Hopper. DISH says a PrimeTime Anytime program must first be saved to the DVR and be more than eight days old before it can be transferred to an external drive. These steps apply to the documented Hopper setup; do not assume another DVR uses the same process. See DISH Hopper recording and transfer instructions.
Rank #3
- WATCH, PAUSE, RECORD, & REPLAY LIVE TV: Enjoy live TV from major networks, including ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC(1), as well as a curated selection of free live streaming TV (FAST) channels. Channels and Content are subject to availability in their area. TV antenna range may vary based on topography, obstructions, and other variables.
- WHOLE-HOME ACCESS: 1 DVR pairs with any TV antenna to let you watch TV on multiple compatible devices at once, including smartphones, tablets, as well as smart TVs & streaming players from Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Chromecast w/ Google TV, Apple TV, Smart TVs running on Tizen OS, LG TV.
- EASY SETUP: Connect the Tablo DVR to the indoor TV antenna with the included 6' coaxial cable; connect Tablo to your home network via Wi-Fi or using the included Ethernet cable; download the Tablo app on your mobile device and follow the setup instructions (4). Scan the QR code on the included Quick Start Guide (Installation Manual) that will guide you through the entire product setup.
- NO SUBSCRIPTIONS OR HIDDEN FEES: Pay once for the Tablo device and watch and record your favorite live, local TV shows, along with free streaming TV channels without contracts or ongoing fees. Tablo OTA DVRs are designed for homes with Wi-Fi-enabled routers and a consistent high-speed connection to the internet.
- RECORD MULTIPLE SHOWS: 4 tuners within this device allow you to record one live TV channel while watching another for viewing flexibility. Watch, pause, record, and replay up to four channels at once with 50+ hours of onboard storage.
Download or stream recordings in a provider app
Xfinity: eligible cloud DVR downloads
Xfinity’s instructions require a qualifying TV and cloud DVR setup and access to the Xfinity Stream app. In the app, open Recordings, select an eligible completed recording, and tap Download. Xfinity says completed downloads can be watched without an internet connection. This is an app-managed download; it does not establish that the recording can be copied freely to a computer or imported into another provider’s DVR. Check Xfinity’s DVR download instructions for eligibility and steps.
Fios: streaming select recordings
Verizon says customers with Enhanced or Premium Fios DVR can stream select recordings through its mobile app. Programming-contract restrictions can make some recorded content unavailable. Streaming access is not the same as an unrestricted offline download or permanent export. See Verizon’s DVR and recording information.
Rank #4
- WATCH, PAUSE, RECORD, & REPLAY LIVE TV: Enjoy live TV from major networks, including ABC, CBS, FOX, and NBC(2), as well as a curated selection of free live streaming TV (FAST) channels. Channels and content are subject to availability in your area. TV antenna range may vary based on topography, obstructions, and other variables.
- WHOLE-HOME ACCESS : 1 DVR and the included 35-mile range TV antenna(1) let you watch TV on multiple devices at once, including smartphones, tablets, as well as smart TVs & streaming players from Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Apple TV, Android TV, Chromecast w/ Google TV, Smart TVs running on TIZEN operating systems, Smart TVs running on LG webOS operating system. Tablo is not compatible with non-smart TVs, specific TV models and computers (PCs). Please check compatibility before making the purchase.
- EASY SETUP: Connect the Tablo DVR to the indoor TV antenna with the included 6' coaxial cable; connect Tablo to your home network via Wi-Fi or using the included Ethernet cable; download the Tablo app on your mobile device and follow the setup instructions(4). Scan the QR code on the included Quick Start Guide (Installation Manual) that will guide you through the entire product setup.
- NO SUBSCRIPTIONS OR HIDDEN FEES: Pay once for the Tablo device and TV antenna to enjoy live, local TV, record your favorite shows, along with free streaming TV channels without contracts or ongoing fees. Tablo OTA DVRs are designed for homes with Wi-Fi-enabled routers and a consistent high-speed connection to the internet.
- RECORD MULTIPLE SHOWS: 4x ATSC 1.0 tuners within the device allow you to record one live TV channel while watching another for viewing flexibility
Record a broadcast to a TV-attached USB drive
Some TVs can record digital broadcasts to a USB hard drive, but their requirements and playback restrictions are model-specific. Formatting may erase the drive, so check the TV’s manual and back up existing data before setup.
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A cited BRAVIA guide for a particular product generation describes registering and formatting a USB HDD for one-touch or timer recording of digital broadcasts. That guide specifies a capacity range of 32 GB to 2 TB, says USB hubs are unsupported, and warns that formatting erases stored data. Recordings can be played only on the TV that registered the drive. These are limits from that guide, not requirements for every Sony TV. Consult the Sony BRAVIA USB HDD recording guide for the applicable models.
Best Value
- NEXTGEN TV ATSC 3.0 + ATSC 1.0 TUNER IN ONE BOX – Advanced over-the-air TV receiver supports both ATSC 3.0 (NextGen TV) and legacy ATSC 1.0 broadcasts. Ideal digital converter box for upgrading older TVs or adding live OTA TV channels to any HDMI display. TV antenna required.
- NO CABLE OR SUBSCRIPTION FEES – Watch local news, sports, and major broadcast networks with a TV antenna. A cost-effective solution for cord cutters seeking free HD and 4K over-the-air television.
- UP TO 4K HDR TV TUNER OUTPUT – Supports up to 4K resolution with HDR for sharper detail, richer color, and improved contrast on compatible NextGen TV broadcasts and 4K TVs (broadcast availability varies by location).
- 64GB BUILT-IN STORAGE WITH DVR RECORDING & PLAYBACK – 64GB of onboard storage comes ready for DVR use right out of the box — no additional accessories required. Record live over-the-air TV with pause, rewind, and replay functionality for convenient time-shifted viewing. Expand recording capacity further by connecting external storage (USB flash drive or microSD card, sold separately).
- DOLBY DIGITAL PLUS & AC-4 AUDIO SUPPORT – Compatible with modern broadcast audio formats for clearer dialogue and immersive sound when supported by your TV or audio system. Smart TVs required for this functionality.
Philips example
For the models named on its support page, Philips specifies at least 250 GB of capacity and a minimum writing speed of 30 MB/s, with USB 2.0 or 3.0 and a separate power supply preferred. Philips warns that formatting permanently removes existing drive data, recordings are accessible only from the TV, and encrypted recordings cannot be copied or transferred. These specifications apply to the models listed by Philips, not to TVs generally. See Philips’ TV recording requirements.
Check capacity, expiry, and simultaneous recording limits
Storage policies vary by service and equipment. Recordings may expire, older items may be deleted when capacity is full, and some services limit how many programs can be recorded or watched at once. Treat the figures below as provider-specific examples, not general DVR standards.
| Documented service or feature | Published limit or behavior | Scope |
|---|---|---|
| Verizon Fios Enhanced DVR | Up to 6 simultaneous recordings; up to 100 hours of HD storage | Verizon’s published figures for this tier; see Fios DVR information. |
| Verizon Fios Premium DVR | Up to 12 simultaneous recordings; up to 200 hours of HD storage | Verizon’s published figures for this tier; see Fios DVR information. |
| Sling TV DVR | Recordings expire after nine months | Sling’s documented DVR policy; see Sling DVR information. |
| DISH PrimeTime Anytime | Unsaved programs remain in the PrimeTime Anytime folder for eight days; transfer to external storage requires saving the program to the DVR and waiting until it is more than eight days old | DISH’s Hopper instructions for this feature; see DISH Hopper instructions. |
Before buying a drive or attempting a transfer
- Confirm the exact TV or receiver model supports recording or external-drive transfer; a USB port alone does not establish support.
- Check the provider’s required drive capacity, interface, account conditions, and setup procedure.
- Back up files before formatting. TV and receiver setup may erase existing contents.
- Assume a recording may remain tied to the device or account that created it unless the manufacturer or provider explicitly documents otherwise.
- Check whether the show is eligible for recording, app download, streaming, or transfer. Programming rights can restrict access even when the recording appears in your list.
Device and service rules describe what the equipment allows; they do not establish that every copying or redistribution use is legally permitted. U.S. copyright law is available in 17 U.S.C. § 106; this general legal text is not a determination about a particular household recording or transfer.
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