All PVR

What’s better: DVDs or DVRs? That’s the question that bloggers Davis Freeberg and the One Eyed Man (Why DVR utterly Destroys DVDs) are asking right now. They write that there’s so much content available today, it is difficult keeping up with everything such as NetFlix queues and shows on their PVRs.

I can understand the dilemma. I’m a member of NetFlix and love getting movies. But too often, I never get a chance to watch movies that I receive. They sit next to the TV, unwatched. I hate sending back a movie if I’ve never watched it, but I do it anyway. Then I have to remember to add it back to my queue later on, or I may never watch the DVD again.

Here are my pros and cons of DVDs and PVRs.

DVDs are Portable. DVDs are very convenient and portable. I can lend a DVD to a friend but I definitely can’t let a friend borrow my Tivo. Discs are thin and easy to lug around.

DVDs are Good for Archiving Shows. My archive medium of choice are DVDs. I have Tivo Series 2 and a DVD recorder so I can record my favorite shows onto DVDs. I’ve even used Tivo2Go to archive shows on my computer, then burn them onto a DVD.

PVRs Have Lots of Choices. I can choose between TV shows, movies, documentaries, crime dramas, or anything else that I have saved. I don’t own many DVDs so I don’t have as many choices.

PVRs are Instant On. Having shows waiting on a hard drive is pretty darn convenient. I don’t have to get off my seat and insert the DVD, then wait through the Interpol warning, the FBI warning and the main menu to watch a movie.

PVRs Have Better Controls. My Tivo is easier to control than my DVD. I can stop the show with Tivo and come back to it whenever I want. If I stop a DVD that I’m watching and eject it, I can never remember where I left off.

Ultimately, it’s the content that drives what I use. If I’m watching a new TV show, I use Tivo by default. If I want to watch a movie, I usually go with DVDs.

Unlike many people, I don’t buy DVDs. I use NetFlix instead. I just don’t feel the need to “own� a copy of a movie or TV show. I’ve never had the sudden, urgent need to watch “Moonlighting�, “Rip Tide� or even “V for Vendetta�. If I want to see something, I add it to my queue, then wait until NetFlix sends me the disc.

For me, it looks like PVRs win this smackdown. It’s even made me reconsider whether I really need NetFlix at all.