Does Owning a DVR Make Sense In the Streaming Video Age?

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In 1999, the digital video recorder changed television forever by letting viewers pause live TV, ushering us into a new world of on-demand everything. "TiVo(R)" became a household word.

DVRs radically changed the video and consumer electronics industries, but today, the notion of on-demand programming has become something we take for granted. We expect this sort of functionality across apps like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon Prime. "Game of Thrones" might premiere on a Sunday, but if you miss it (and manage to avoid all the social media spoilers) you can always watch, pause, rewind and fast-forward whenever you want.

So, with on-demand video and the ability to pause TV now part of our daily lives, how can the DVR still be relevant?

Today’s DVRs give you more time, control and ability to discover better content quickly. Sure, most DVRs let you fast-forward, rewind and pause live TV, but modern DVRs also have the ability to speed up your content by 30 percent while maintaining perfect sound quality (say, if you’re watching a particularly slow sports game or awards show). And in a world where several subscription services still force you to watch some commercials, the ability to fast-forward through ads with your DVR is a very good thing. TiVo’s SkipMode(R) enables you to skip most ads at the click of a button, and even set your device to skip those ads automatically. This means if you are recording an over-the-air or network TV show, you can watch it without interruption and get a huge chunk of time back in your day.

A modern DVR lets you access all your content in one place. The best DVRs seamlessly display your favorite programs across live and on-demand TV as well as streaming video services like Hulu or Amazon Prime in a single interface. Although some TV “dongles” offer this, the search results are often incomplete or biased toward whichever content provider the dongle is associated with. With a modern DVR, you have one place (and one remote) to search, manage and discover all of your entertainment. You can set your DVR to record an episode or series of your choosing across channels and apps and have one central place to find it all.

Today’s best DVRs have smart personalization features that can also find the right shows for you. Don’t know what to watch? No problem. A high-end DVR will learn your preferences over time and make suggestions specialized for you. You can also set it to record any movie or TV show that features your favorite actor or director, or your favorite topic.

Modern DVRs now come with mobile and web apps that allow you to watch and program recordings from anywhere. How often do you hear about a show but forget about it later? Problem solved!

If you have a digital TV antenna and your DVR has “OTA” (over-the-air) capabilities, you can record dozens of high-definition shows available to you for free over the airwaves. Some DVRs like the TiVo BOLT(R) are compatible with the highest resolution available, capable of displaying 4K Ultra HD. The quality of the network TV video experience will meet or exceed that of 4K streaming services available today.

And today, many DVRs have advanced features like smart home connectivity and intelligent, natural language voice control. And of course, if you misplace your remote control between the cushions of your couch, the best modern DVRs have a "find-your-remote" button right on the set-top box.

Today’s DVRs do so much more than just pause live TV; they give you back time in your day. You can watch smarter, discover new shows and have complete control over your entertainment. With one seamless interface to search across all apps and video sources, a commercial-less experience, advanced and unbiased search and discovery features, smart home capabilities, voice control, personalized show suggestions, viewing speed functions, Ultra HD, mobile and web viewing and recording, and a single hub to operate from, having a modern DVR in your entertainment center is a clear choice that’s not only relevant today, but will enrich your TV viewing experience for years to come.

Money Flip or Flop? How to Avoid Falling for Online Scams

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Scammers are always cooking up creative new ways to separate people from their money. The sad reality is that it often works. The latest schemes involve so-called "money flipping," and it's showing up in consumers' newsfeeds on Twitter, Instagram, Facebook and even via text messaging.

Keep these things in mind when you see an enticing post or are randomly approached by someone about any form of money flipping or "get rich quick" schemes:

1. Trust your gut

If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is. You can ignore the testimonials with photos of big piles of cash, the fancy cars and the flashy jewels they displayed with captions of their "success" — scammers may tell you that they work for a money transmitter and have "tricks" on how to double your money. However, monetary systems cannot be "manipulated" by adding a few "extra 0s" to any transaction in an attempt to turn a small investment into big money in minutes. Cons claim they will keep a percentage of the profit as commission, but as soon as a victim sends the upfront investment money, they will unfriend or block you on social media, not answer texts or calls and disappear with your dough without a trace.

2. Don’t be fooled by a text from a "friend"

Even if a text or SMS appears to be from someone you know, if someone’s asking you for money for any reason, you should think twice before taking action. If you really think it’s from a friend or a social media acquaintance, contact them directly in another way (by phone, via email or in person) to confirm the situation. Chances are that it’s really a hacker who is masquerading as someone you really know to try to convince you to take the bait.

3. Use your head

Does it seem realistic that someone could turn your $200 into $2,000 by the end of the day? If it were that easy, surely everyone would be doing it. If it doesn't make sense to you, that's because it's nonsense. While common sense should tell us that this is a scam, you should also consider how it would be legal if it did work. In this instance, there is no logical, legal way that such a scam could be effective and legitimate. Never let your emotions blind you to these facts. Even if it were possible to modify the amount of a transfer, it would be criminal to defraud a legitimate business by participating in this scheme. Never invest in something you don't totally understand.

4. Remember that you don't really know who you're talking to

Even if the person posting on social media or messaging you says that they work in the financial industry, or that they've successfully made wads of cash and are just sharing their good fortune out of the kindness of their heart, remember that you have no idea who that person really is, even if they insist they want to get you a good deal or help you get rich quick.

5. Never click any links or give out personal information

Someone trying to scam you on Instagram or any other social media site will often lure you into a continuing conversation over text or SMS, then try to get you to click a link to a compromised site — or may even try to get you to reveal personal info like your bank account or Social Security number. Anyone asking you for your money or sensitive financial details is not a giver, they're just a taker.

Flip burgers, flip pancakes — just do not try to flip your hard-earned cash! Never give money to anyone promising to make you quick and easy money. There is no such thing as free money.