View source for Comparison of DVR software packages

{{short description|None}}

This is a comparison of [[digital video recorder]] (DVR), also known as personal video recorder (PVR), software packages. 

'''Note:''' this is may be considered a comparison of DVB software, not all listed packages have ''recording'' capabilities.

== General information ==
Basic general information for popular DVR software packages - not all actually record.
{{sort-under}}
{| class="wikitable sortable sort-under"
|-
! Name
! <small>[[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]</small>
! <small>[[Macintosh|MacOSX]]</small>
! [[Linux]]
! [[Berkeley Software Distribution|BSD]]
! <small>[[Android (operating system)|Android]]</small>
! Price
! [[Software license|License]]
! <small>Latest stable release</small>
! Notes
|-
| [[Beyond TV]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Terminated|Discontinued}}
| {{Proprietary}}
| 4.9.3&nbsp;(Build&nbsp;6535)<br /><small>{{End date and age|2010|10|15|br=yes}}</small>
| Not compatible with [[Digital Video Broadcasting|DVB]] tuners. While Snapstream is providing minor fixes for Beyond TV, they are no longer actively updating and developing the software as they are focusing on commercial applications. Despite the lack of a new version, their fanbase (in the forums) remains active and the program is still available.{{Further|List of digital television deployments by country}}
|-
| [[DVB Dream]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Nonfree|US$49}}
| {{Proprietary}}
| 3.7.1<br /><small>{{End date and age|2019|03|14|br=yes}}</small><ref name="dvbd">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dvbdream.org/|title=DVB Dream|website=www.dvbdream.org|access-date=2019-10-23}}</ref>
| Focused on DVB and live TV
|-
| [[DVBViewer]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Nonfree|€20}}
| {{Proprietary}}
| 6.1.5<br /><small>{{End date and age|2019|07|22|br=yes}}</small><ref name="dvbv6">{{Cite web|url=https://www.dvbviewer.tv/forum/topic/59624-dvbviewer-600/|title=DVBViewer 6.0.0|website=DVBViewer community forum|date=11 April 2017 |language=en-US|access-date=2019-10-23}}</ref>
| 
|-
| [[Emby]]<br /><small>(formerly ''Media&nbsp;Browser'')</small>
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}<br /><small>(client&nbsp;only)</small>
| {{Sometimes|[[Crippleware]]}}{{Efn-la|group=general|Emby Server is available for free under GPL which provides web access to the library. Client software is generally free when connected to an Emby Premiere-licensed server, though some, like Emby on the [[Windows Store]], cost $4.99.<ref name="EmbyMicrosoftStore">{{Cite web|url=https://www.microsoft.com/en-us/store/p/emby/9wzdncrdmktm|title=Emby Windows App|website=[[Microsoft]] |access-date=2016-10-14}}</ref>}}{{Efn-la|group=general|Premiere license costs $4.99/month, $49.99/year, or $99.99 for lifetime.<ref name="EmbyPremiere">{{Cite web|url=https://emby.media/premiere.html|title=Emby Premiere|website=[[Emby]]|access-date=2016-10-14}}</ref>}}
| {{Sometimes|[[GNU General Public License|GPL]] & [[Proprietary software|Proprietary]]}}
| 4.6.7.0<br /><small>{{End date and age|2021|11|21|br=yes}}</small><ref name="emby43_gittag">{{Cite web|title=Emby: Latest Versions|date=2022-01-13|url=https://emby.media/community/index.php?/topic/21348-emby-latest-versions/|website=[[Emby]]|access-date=2022-01-15}}</ref>
| Compatible with SiliconDust [[HDHomeRun]] tuners.<ref name="emby43_beta">{{Cite web|title=Introducing the new Live TV for Emby (and a new Emby Server beta)|url=http://emby.media/introducing-the-new-live-tv-for-emby-and-a-new-emby-server-beta/|website=[[Emby]]|access-date=2015-08-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150826195357/http://emby.media/introducing-the-new-live-tv-for-emby-and-a-new-emby-server-beta/|archive-date=2015-08-26|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| [[Elgato|EyeTV]]
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Nonfree|[[Bundled software|Bundled]]}}
| {{Proprietary}}
| 3.6.9&nbsp;(build&nbsp;7521)<br /><small>{{End date and age|2017|01|10|br=yes}}</small>
| Bundled for no extra charge with all Elgato USB tuners, but also sold separately for use with other tuners.
|-
| [[Hauppauge Computer Works|Hauppauge]] WinTV
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Nonfree|[[Bundled software|Bundled]]}}
| {{Proprietary}}
| 8.5&nbsp;(build&nbsp;37122)<br /><small>{{End date and age|2019|05|02|br=yes}}</small>
| Bundled for no extra charge, only works with Hauppauge TV cards and peripherals.
|-
| [[InterVideo WinDVR]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Terminated|Discontinued}}
| {{Proprietary}}
| 5.2<br /><small>{{End date and age|2010|03|29|br=yes}}</small>
| Discontinued. Used to be bundled for no extra charge with various TV tuner devices.
|-
| [[Jellyfin]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}<br /><small>(unofficially)</small>
| {{Yes}}<br /><small>(client only)</small>
| {{Free}}
| {{Free|[[GNU General Public License|GPL]]}}
| 10.8.13<br /><small>{{End date and age|2023|11|29|br=yes}}</small>
|
|-
| [[JRiver Media Center]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Nonfree|US$59.98<br /><small>(multiple installations)</small>}}
| {{Proprietary}}
| 29.0.22<br /><small>{{End date and age|2022|3|22|br=yes}}</small><ref name="jmc25rm">{{Cite web|url=https://wiki.jriver.com/index.php/Release_Notes_MC25|title=Release Notes MC25|website=JRiverWiki|access-date=2019-10-23}}</ref>
| DirectShow video player, madVR, LAV filters, HD audio, images, 10 foot GUI, Remote control, DLNA, Android/iPhone interface, automatic meta-data lookup for Audio, TV and Movies, fully customizable database
|-
| [[Kodi (software)|Kodi]]<br /><small>(formerly&nbsp;''XBMC'')</small>
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Free}}
| {{Free|[[GNU General Public License|GPL]]}}
| 21.0 "Omega"<br /><small>{{End date and age|2024|04|06|br=yes}}</small><ref name="kodi184">{{Cite web |date=2024-04-06 |title=Kodi |url=https://kodi.tv/article/kodi-21-0-omega-release/ |access-date=2024-07-13}}</ref>
| Cross-platform free and open-source software media center application, able to watch live or recorded TV, music, photos and has one of the most expansive collection of plugins/addons, enabling the system to do anything from browsing the web or downloading movies, to dimming the lights in the sitting room.
|-
| [[MediaPortal]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Free}}
| {{Free|[[GNU General Public License|GPL]]}}
| MP1:&nbsp;1.23<br /><small>{{End date and age|2019|10|04|br=yes}}</small><ref name="mp1rn">{{Cite web|url=https://www.team-mediaportal.com/news/mediaportal-1-23-release|title=MediaPortal 1.23 Final Regeszter Edition|website=MediaPortal|access-date=2019-10-23}}</ref><br />MP2:&nbsp;2.2.2<br /><small>{{End date and age|2019|10|07|br=yes}}</small><ref name="mp2rn">{{Cite web|url=https://www.team-mediaportal.com/news/mediaportal-2-2-2-release|title=MediaPortal 2.2.2 Release|website=MediaPortal|access-date=2019-10-23}}</ref>
| built on the .NET 2.0 Framework
|-
| [[MythTV]]
| {{Yes2}}Limited{{Efn-la|group=general|Porting MythTV to Windows is under development.<ref name="myth_port">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Windows_Port|title=MythTV on Windows|website=[[MythTV]] Official Wiki|access-date=2019-10-23}}</ref>}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Free}}
| {{Free|[[GNU General Public License|GPL]]}}
| 33.1<br /><small>{{End date and age|2023|02|05|br=yes}}</small><ref name="mythtv_33.1rn">{{Cite web|url=https://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Release_Notes_-_33|title=Release Notes - 33|website=[[MythTV]] Official Wiki|access-date=2023-07-14}}</ref>
| Under heavy development since 2002, and now contains most features one would expect from a good DVR.
|-
| [[NextPVR]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}<br /><small>(client&nbsp;only)</small>
| {{Free}}
| {{Proprietary}}
| {{Nowrap|6.1.5.231022}}<br /><small>{{End date and age|2023|10|22|br=yes}}</small><ref name="npvr_release">{{Cite web|url=https://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?tid=65136|title=6.1.5.231022 Available (22nd October 2023)|website=[[NextPVR]] Forums|access-date=2024-02-07}}</ref>
| Personal video recorder application for Microsoft Windows, Linux, Mac and Docker. Supports a wide variety of devices, and a good set of features. Free for personal use. Commercial use requires a license. 
|-
| [[SageTV]]
| {{Yes}}{{Efn-la|group=general|There is also a Windows Home Server Edition}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}<br /><small>(client&nbsp;only)</small>
| {{Free|Free<br /><small>(was US$79.95/server, US$29.95/client)</small>}}
| {{Free|[[GNU General Public License|GPL]]<br /><small>(was Proprietary)</small>}}
| 9.2.2<br />May 16, 2020
| Java based. SageTV was purchased by Google on June 20, 2011, and on August 10, 2015, it was announced that the project was converting to open-source development.<ref name="sage_oss">{{Cite web|title=SageTV is Open Source!!!|url=http://forums.sagetv.com/forums/showthread.php?t=62315|website=[[SageTV]] Community|access-date=2015-08-20}}</ref>
|-
| Showshifter
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Terminated|Discontinued<br /><small>(was £30)</small>}}
| {{Proprietary}}
| 3.12.2945<br /><small>{{End date and age|2005|05|14|br=yes}}</small>
| Supports some older TechnoTrend/[[Hauppauge Computer Works|Hauppauge]] boxes which are not BDA compliant, such as the Dec 2000-t/3000-s and first generation Nova-t USB boxes, which are unsupported by other PVR software.
|-
| tvtime
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Free}}
| {{Free|[[GNU General Public License|GPL]]}}
| 1.0.2<br /><small>{{End date and age|2005|11|10|br=yes}}</small><ref name="tvtime">{{Cite web|url=http://tvtime.sourceforge.net/downloads.php|title=tvtime: High quality video for Linux|website=tvtime.sourceforge.net|access-date=2019-10-23}}</ref>
| High quality television application for use with video capture cards on Linux systems. tvtime processes the input from a capture card and displays it on a computer monitor or projector
|-
| [[Video Disk Recorder]]
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Free}}
| {{Free|[[GNU General Public License|GPL]]}}
| 2.4.1<br /><small>{{End date and age|2019|06|17|br=yes}}</small><ref name="vdr241">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vdr-portal.de/forum/index.php?thread/132836-announce-vdr-version-2-4-1/|title=ANNOUNCE - VDR Version 2.4.1|website=VDR Portal|date=17 June 2019 |language=en|access-date=2019-10-23}}</ref>
| TV Done Right, VDR can use one to eight video cards and support DVB-S, DVB-C and DVB-T. Record and read any DVB flux with a lot of plugins.
|-
| [[Windows Media Center]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Nonfree|{{Unbulleted indent list|in=2em|<small>Windows&nbsp;8/8.1:</small> US$69.99|<small>Windows&nbsp;8/8.1&nbsp;Pro:</small> US$9.99|<small>Windows&nbsp;XP/Vista/7:</small> Free}}}}
| {{Proprietary}}
| 6.3.9600.16384<br /><small>{{End date and age|2011|02|23|br=yes}}</small><!-- displayed as "Software Version" by WMC, Win 7, up-to-date as of Jan 13. File ehshell.exe is 6.1.7600.16385, 14/7/2009; various Microsoft.MediaCenter.<xxx>.dll files are 6.3.9600.16384, 23/2/2011-->
| Included with [[Windows XP Media Center Edition]], [[Windows Vista]] Home Premium and Ultimate editions and [[Windows 7]] Home Premium, Professional, and Ultimate editions. Was available for [[Windows 8 Pro]] and [[Windows 8.1]] Pro as part of the Media Center Pack add-on, until it was discontinued on October 30, 2015.<ref name="wmc_discon">{{Cite web|url=https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/3107057|title=Windows 8 and 8.1 Pro Pack and Media Pack are no longer available to buy|website=support.microsoft.com|access-date=2016-09-06}}</ref> Available for [[Windows 8]], Windows 8.1 and [[Windows 10]] [[Windows Media Center#Unofficial Windows 10 Port|unofficially through a windows command script installer]].<ref name="wmc_win10">{{Cite web|url=http://lifehacker.com/get-windows-media-center-running-on-windows-10-with-a-f-1729919907/|title=Get Windows Media Center Running on Windows 10 in a Few Easy Steps|last=Allan|first=Patrick|date=10 September 2015 |language=en-US|access-date=2016-09-09}}</ref> Not available for [[Windows RT]].
|-
| [[VBox Home TV Gateway|V@Home]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}{{Efn-la|group=general|Manage and schedule recordings}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Nonfree|[[Bundled software|Bundled]]}}
| {{Proprietary}}
| 2.59<br /><small>{{End date and age|2018|04|14|br=yes}}</small><ref name="vbox_download">{{Cite web|url=https://www.vboxcomm.com/shop-support/download.html|title=Guides and Downloads|website=www.vboxcomm.com|access-date=2019-10-23}}</ref>
| Bundled for no extra charge with [[VBox Home TV Gateway]] - Network TV Tuner, Manage and schedule recordings from any web browser, local or over the internet
|-
!Name
!<small>[[Microsoft Windows|Windows]]</small>
!<small>[[Macintosh|MacOSX]]</small>
![[Linux]]
![[Berkeley Software Distribution|BSD]]
!<small>[[Android (operating system)|Android]]</small>
!Price
![[Software license|License]]
!<small>Latest stable release</small>
!Notes
|- class="sortbottom"
| colspan="10" | {{Notelist-la|group=general}}
|}

== Features ==
Information about what common and prominent DVR features are implemented natively (without third-party add-ons unless stated otherwise):
{{sort-under}}
{| class="wikitable sortable sort-under" style="font-size: 85%; text-align: center; width: auto;"
|-
! DVR
! Subscription free<br/>[[electronic program guide]] (EPG)
! [[Power management]]
! Multiple [[TV tuner card]]s support
! [[CableCARD]] support
! [[Conditional-access module|CAM]] support
! [[ATSC]] tuner support
! Automated [[commercial skipping]]
! [[Teletext]]
! Schedule timed recordings
! Personalized intelligent recording and scheduling<ref group="f" name="PIR&S">A system similar to [[TiVo]]'s which enables the DVR/PVR application to record programs based on past viewing habits and interests.</ref>
! [[Digital rights management|DRM]] support
! DVB ([[DVB-T|T]]/[[DVB-T2|T2]], [[DVB-S|S]]/[[DVB-S2|S2]], [[DVB-C|C]]) tuner support
! Smartphone<br/>/tablet<br/>playback
! Smartphone<br/>/tablet<br/>syncing
! Smartphone<br/>/tablet<br/>remote control
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[Beyond TV]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}<ref group="f">To take advantage of operating system power management with Beyond TV, the main user interface must be closed.</ref>
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Dunno}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Dunno}}
| {{Dunno}}
| {{Dunno}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[Elgato|EyeTV]]
| {{Partial|DVB;<ref group="f" name="OTA"/> other guide info varies by region{{#tag:ref|Elgato's contract with TitanTV for the US market expired in 2010. When it expired, TV Guide became the sole EPG provider for EyeTV in the United States. There, one year of TV Guide EPG service costs $19.95.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.elgato.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=3270&nav=0,1,32,2,259&languageid=1&group=englishdefault|title=Why is there a fee for the EyeTV Program Guide?|access-date=2009-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710181317/http://support.elgato.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=3270&nav=0,1,32,2,259&languageid=1&group=englishdefault|archive-date=2011-07-10|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://support.elgato.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=3223&nav=0,1,32,2,259&languageid=1&group=englishdefault|title=How do I use TV Guide with EyeTV?|access-date=2009-03-06|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110710181747/http://support.elgato.com/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=3223&nav=0,1,32,2,259&languageid=1&group=englishdefault|archive-date=2011-07-10|url-status=dead}}</ref>|group="f"}}}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Dunno}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{yes2}}External add-on
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Dunno}}
| {{Dunno}}
| {{Dunno}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[Hauppauge Computer Works|WinTV]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{partial|Limited<ref group="f">Support is limited to content broadcast as 'copy freely' (DRM Free)</ref>}}
| {{Dunno}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Dunno}}
| {{Dunno}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[Kodi (software)|Kodi]]<br/>(formerly ''XBMC'')
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes2|External add-on}}
| {{yes2|External add-on}}
| {{yes2|External add-on}}
| {{yes2|External add-on}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes2|External add-on}}
| {{yes2|External add-on}}
| {{yes2|External add-on}}
| {{yes2|External add-on}}
| {{yes2|External add-on}}
| {{yes2|Using Plugin}}
| {{yes2|Using Plugin}}
| {{yes2|Using Apps}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[NextPVR]]
| {{Yes}}<ref group="f">Natively supports broadcast EPG. Able to use alternative EPG, like XMLTV and Schedules Direct in countries that don't provide a decent broadcast EPG.</ref>
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Partial}}<ref group="f">Support is limited to content broadcast as 'copy freely' (DRM Free)</ref>
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Dunno}}
| {{Dunno}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[MediaPortal]]
| {{Partial|DVB{{#tag:ref|Supports over-the-air EPG when using cards/boxes which support this functionality, and in areas where such a service is available. For example, over-the-air 7-day programme data is available in the UK for DVB-T services ([[Freeview (UK)|Freeview]], [[TopUp TV]] etc; DVB-T2 listings for [[Freeview HD]] are encrypted) and [[Freesat]] (DVB-S/S2).<ref group="f">Unlike the UK DVB-T EPG, the Freesat EPG uses its own channel and thus must be specifically set up in order to be used. Consequently support for DVB EPG may be insufficient to access it.</ref>|group="f"|name="OTA"}}/XMLTV<ref group="f" name="XMLTV">Supports XMLTV programme data which is provided by various sources for various costs depending on territory. For example, the (supported) 14-day Radio Times feed for the UK is free of charge.</ref>}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Partial}}{{#tag:ref|Version 1.5.0 or higher required - only 'Copy Freely' support - No Encrypted 'Copy Once' support<ref name=MediaPortalCableCard>{{cite web|url=http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/1_MEDIAPORTAL_1/0_What's_New/1.5.x/Using_MediaPortal/Support_for_CableCard_tuners|title=Support for CableCard Tuners|access-date=2014-01-30|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129050110/http://wiki.team-mediaportal.com/1_MEDIAPORTAL_1/0_What's_New/1.5.x/Using_MediaPortal/Support_for_CableCard_tuners|archive-date=2015-01-29|url-status=dead}}</ref>|group="f"|name="CableCardInfo"}}
| {{partial|Supported on some specific cards}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{yes2}}Using Plugin
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{partial|Partial support}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}{{#tag:ref|via aMPdroid app; requires WifiRemote and MpExtended plugins<ref name=aMPdroid>{{Cite web|url=https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.mediaportal.ampdroid|title=aMPdroid - Android Apps|website=[[Google Play]]|access-date=2012-09-27}}</ref>|group="f"|name="aMPDriodDesc"}}
| {{Dunno}}
| {{yes}}<ref group="f" name="aMPDriodDesc"/>
|-
! {{Rh}} | MediaPhoenix<br/>/ShowShifter
| {{Partial|DVB<ref group="f" name="OTA"/>}}
| {{unk}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Dunno}}
| {{unk}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[MythTV]]
| {{Partial|DVB;<ref group="f" name="OTA"/> other services region dependent{{#tag:ref|Subscription-free EPG is available in areas where program listings data is freely available without violating copyright laws or data owners' Terms of Service. In North America, [[Schedules Direct]] provides legally-licensed EPG data for a nominal fee of $25 per year.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mythtv.org/wiki/Schedules_Direct|title=Schedules Direct|publisher=mythtv.org}}</ref>|group="f"}}}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{partial|Limited<ref group="f">Support is limited to content broadcast as 'copy freely' (DRM Free)</ref>}}
| {{Yes}}<ref group="f">Supports hardware-based CAMs [http://linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/DVB_Conditional_Access_Modules supported by LinuxTV framework].</ref>
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{partial|Requires external add-on<ref group="f">External third-party plug-in required, e.g. "[http://www.templetons.com/brad/myth/tvwish.html tvwish]", "[http://tud.at/programm/mythminer MythMiner]"; not supported.</ref>}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}<ref group="f">Supports any [http://linuxtv.org/wiki/index.php/Hardware_Device_Information tuner card supported by LinuxTV framework].</ref>
| {{Yes}}{{#tag:ref|The official MythTV plugin MythWeb allows users to browse the programme guide, schedule recordings, manage media and playback video via a [[Adobe Flash|Flash]]-based player, which works on [[Android (OS)|Android]] phones and tablets.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://code.google.com/p/mythdroid|title=MythDroid}}</ref>|group="f"|name="MythTVTabletPhone"}}
| {{No}} 
| {{Yes}}<ref group="f" name="MythTVTabletPhone"/>
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[SageTV]]
| {{Yes}} (with former purchased license)
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Partial|Partial Using Plugin{{#tag:ref|Support is limited to content broadcast as 'copy freely' (DRM Free) - Smartphone and tablet control of the full range of Windows Media Center features is possible on iOS and Android.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.evoscan.com/home/|title=LimitlessLED: 2.4Ghz Wireless Remote Light Bulbs for iPhone and Android|access-date=2011-09-24|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111123072255/http://www.evoscan.com/home/|archive-date=2011-11-23|url-status=dead}}</ref>|group="f"}}}}
| {{Dunno}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{yes2|Using Plugin{{#tag:ref|Supported by 3rd party plugins: [http://nextpvr.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Utility/ComSkip ComSkip] and [http://www.dragonglobal.biz/ ShowAnalyzer]|group="f"}}}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Dunno}}
| {{Dunno}}
| {{Dunno}}
| {{Dunno}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[Video Disk Recorder]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{yes2|Using Plugin}}
| {{yes}}
| {{yes2|Using Plugin}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{yes2|Using Plugin}}
| {{No}}
| {{yes2|Using Plugin}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[Windows Media Center]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}{{#tag:ref|Windows Media Center supports two NTSC (Analog) tuners and two ATSC (Digital) tuners out of the box. Using additional tuners requires registry modifications. Windows 7 Media Center supports up to 4 tuners of each type out of the box, DVB-T, DVB-S, NTSC/PAL.|group="f"}}
| {{Yes}}{{#tag:ref|[[Windows Media Center]] supports CableCard when used on CableLabs certified OEM Hardware.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://arstechnica.com/news.ars/post/20060131-6081.html|title=CableCARD certification rules out home-built Windows MCE boxes, possibly other DIY solutions|date=31 January 2006}}</ref> Windows 7 Media Center supports CableCard on any hardware that passes the Digital Cable Advisor tool in MCE.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.anandtech.com/show/3588|title=The Cable Chronicles: Win7 Digital Cable Advisor Released}}</ref>|group="f"}}
| {{Dunno}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{yes2|External add-on<ref group="f">Requires an external plug-in such as "[http://babgvant.com/Wiki/view.aspx/DVRMSToolbox DVRMSToolbox]", "Lifextender" or "[http://www.mcebuddy2x.com MCEBuddy]"; not supported by Microsoft.</ref>}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}{{#tag:ref|Vista Media Center can do partial intelligent recordings based on keywords, actor(s) name(s), or genre.|group="f"}}
| {{Yes}}; also respects "do not record" flag
| {{Partial|Supports DVB-T/T2 and DVB-S/S2; does not support DVB-C<ref group="f">DVB-C is achievable using certain cards that are detected as DVB-T tuners. And also using addons such as DVBLink</ref>}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[VBox Home TV Gateway|VBox@TV]]
| {{Yes|DVB Guide info varies by broadcaster and TV service provider}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Dunno}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Dunno}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
|}

{{Reflist|group="f"}}

==Video format support==
Information about what [[video codec]]s are implemented natively (without third-party add-ons) in the PVRs.
{{sort-under}}
{| class="wikitable sortable sort-under" style="font-size: smaller; text-align: center; width: auto; table-layout: fixed;"
|-
! DVR
! [[MPEG-1]]
! [[MPEG-2]]
! [[MPEG-4 Part 2|MPEG-4 ASP]]<br/>{{nowrap|([[MPEG-4 Part 2]]),}}<br/>i.e. [[DivX]], [[XviD]]
! [[H.264/MPEG-4 AVC]]<br/>{{nowrap|([[MPEG-4 Part 10]])}}
! [[High Efficiency Video Coding|HEVC (H.265)]]
! [[VP8]]
! [[VP9]]
! [[Windows Media Video|WMV]]
! [[Audio Video Interleave|AVI]]
! [[Advanced Systems Format|ASF]]
! [[QuickTime]]
! [[MPEG-4 Part 14|MP4]]
! [[RealVideo]]
! [[Matroska|MKV]]
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[Beyond TV]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{unk}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[Elgato|EyeTV]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[Hauppauge Computer Works|WinTV]]
| {{unk}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[NextPVR]]
| {{unk}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[Kodi (software)|Kodi]]<br/>(formerly ''XBMC'')
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[MediaPortal]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}<ref group="v" name="3rd party">Possible with third-party software.</ref>
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}<ref group="v" name="3rd party"/>
| {{Yes}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | MediaPhoenix<br/>/ShowShifter
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[MythTV]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[SageTV]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{Yes}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[Arcsoft TotalMedia Theatre]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{no}}
| {{unk}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[Windows Media Center]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}<ref group="v" name="3rd party"/><ref group="v" name="Win7"/>
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}<ref group="v" name="3rd party"/><ref group="v" name="Win7">Windows 7 only</ref>
| {{Yes}}<ref group="v" name="3rd party"/><ref group="v" name="Win7"/>
| {{No}}<ref group="v" name="3rd party"/>
| {{unk}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[VBox Home TV Gateway|VBox@TV]]
| {{yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
|-

|}

{{Reflist|group="v"}}

== Network support ==
Each features is in context of computer-to-computer interaction.
All features must be available after the default install otherwise the feature needs a footnote.
{| class="wikitable sortable sort-under" style="font-size: smaller; text-align: center; width: auto; table-layout: fixed;"
|-
! DVR
! [[TV Tuner Sharing|Tuner Sharing]]
! [[Hard Disk Pooling]]
! [[Shared Media Database]]
! [[Home Automation]]
! [[Media extenders|Media Extenders]]
! [[Placeshifting|Placeshifting/Spaceshifting]]
! [[Digital Audio Control Protocol|Two-way Remote Control]]
! [[Second screen|Second Screen]]
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[Beyond TV]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{unk}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[Elgato|EyeTV]]
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[NextPVR]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[Kodi (software)|Kodi]] (formerly ''XBMC'')
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}<sup>4</sup>
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{Yes}}<sup>3</sup>
| {{unk}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[MediaPortal]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}<sup>4</sup>
| {{unk}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | MediaPhoenix/ShowShifter
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[MythTV]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}<sup>3</sup>
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[SageTV]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[Arcsoft TotalMedia Theatre]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{No}}
| {{unk}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[Windows Media Center]]
| {{Yes}}<sup>6</sup>
| {{Yes}}<sup>7</sup>
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}<sup>2</sup>
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}<sup>5</sup>
| {{Yes}}<sup>2</sup>
| {{unk}}
|-
! {{Rh}} | [[VBox Home TV Gateway|VBox@TV]]
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
| {{unk}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{Yes}}
| {{unk}}
|-

|}
<sup>1</sup> Yes with registry change<br />
<sup>2</sup> Yes with retail third-party plugin<br />
<sup>3</sup> Yes with free supported third-party plugin<br />
<sup>4</sup> Yes with free unsupported third-party plugin<br />
<sup>5</sup> Yes with free third-party software Web Guide 4<br />
<sup>6</sup> Yes with add-on software called DVBLink Server<br />
<sup>7</sup> Yes with using symlinks, or just adding folders in settings

== TV tuner hardware ==
{{main|TV tuner card}}<br />
[[TV gateway]] network tuner TV servers<br />
[[Digital Video Recorder|DVRs]] require [[TV tuner card]]s to receive signals.  Many DVRs, as seen above, can use multiple tuners.

[https://www.silicondust.com/ HdHomerun] has [https://web.archive.org/web/20160409193057/http://www.silicondust.com/products/hdhomerun/prime/ CableCARD Models (HDHomeRun Prime) ] and [https://web.archive.org/web/20150927094847/http://www.silicondust.com/products/hdhomerun/hdhomerun-connect-na/ OTA Models (HDHomeRun Connect)] that are networked TV Tuners

== See also ==
* [[List of free television software]]
* [[Comparison of video player software]]
* [[Home cinema]]
* [[Home theater PC]] (HTPC)
* [[Digital video recorder]]
* [[Hard disk recorder]]
* [[DVD recorder]]
* [[Quiet PC]]
* [[Media server]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20120712195355/http://www.telematicsfreedom.org/en/project/14/floss-media-center-state-art FLOSS Media Centers Comparison Chart]

{{Home theater PC (application software)}}

__NOTOC__

[[Category:Multimedia software comparisons|PVR software packages]]
[[Category:Video recording software| ]]
[[Category:Digital television software| ]]
[[Category:Television technology]]
[[Category:Television time shifting technology]]