Besides the DVR functionality, are HD Non-DVRs better receivers as far as functionality goes. I see and hear a lot of complaints about the bugs and slow speeds of DVRs.

If one is not really interested in recording programming, Should that person go with the non-dvr or dvr? (considering price and recording is not of importance but rather ease of use and functionality is)? What are the benefits of a DVR besides recording? Are the bugs that come along with a DVR really worth it? And I'm only asking about cable boxes!

Thanks.

The question is how important is not missing a TV show. If it's not important then you don't need a DVR. DVR's are primarily used for time shifting your TV viewing.

If you've only used a VCR or DVD recorder and never a DVR, it can be difficult to comprehend what you are missing. The primary benefit of a DVR is that it puts TV on your schedule rather than the other way around. No longer do you have to worry about getting home in time to make the big game, or altering other plans so you can catch something desirable on TV. Nor longer do you have to deal with timers.

Modern DVRs will record two different channels at once while you watch a third, previously recorded program. The better DVRs automatically record new episodes of your favorites shows -- regardless of date or time -- while ignoring the repeats / reruns. The better DVRs automatically record all content meeting criteria you define -- regardless of date, time or channel -- such as all civil war documentaries, all presidential debates, all westerns with Clint Eastwood, etc. It's "set it and forget it" -- you setup your favorite programs and content recordings once and then you don't have to mess with it again. There's nothing you have to do week-to-week or even month-to-month to record your favorite content. There are no timers to set or change.

With broadcast and cable television programming, there is an average of 18-22 minutes of commercials per hour. With a DVR, you can skip all of that. With DVRs, you don't have to wait until the recording is finished to start watching; you can watch recordings in progress, skipping commercials. You get all the standard DVD player controls, plus instant replay and 30-sec skip for commercials. You can also pause, rewind, and instant replay both live and recorded programming. Of course, you can also search all programs showing in the next 14 days.

If you aren't interested in television programming, then I don't see much point for a DVR. Then again, if you aren't interested in television programming, you probably don't need a STB either.

A few screenshots of a DVR below:

http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/4963/nowplaying2zy8.jpg
Note how multiple episodes of the same show are organized into a single folder.

http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/4512/seasonpassiy8.jpg

http://img453.imageshack.us/img453/205/searchhq6.jpg
Search results update dynamically as you type in letters.

DVR should be a total sea change in how you watch TV. It is not merely recording as one might have done with a VCR only occasionally. Since there is no longer the limitation of having to wait until the recording ends until beginning viewing, and you can record two shows while watching something previously recorded, this enables you to simply record nearly every single show you ever watch, even if you rarely recorded TV before. Then you have a near video-on-demand experience, pick the show you feel like watching at the moment, instead of only what's airing now. Plus you get to skip over all the commercials (and segments of news/talk shows/sporting events that don't interest you), and pause/replay or switch shows whenever you feel like it. Live viewing, you have to schedule yourself to be home for shows you like, only get to choose one show per time slot to watch in HD.

It is worth putting up with the occasional remote lag, lock-ups, etc. for that.

And I'm only asking about cable boxes!

Well, if you're only interested in leasing equipment from your cable company, then I would suggest giving their HD DVR a spin and if you find it doesn't suit you, simply swap it out for a HD receiver. Cable doesn't require a commitment so it shouldn't be a problem.

Thanks for all the opinions and feedback on dvr, I totally agree with whats been said so far...I'll probably give it a try!