Click to viewIt's 2009—no one should still be a slave to their TV Guide. With one of these six excellent digital video recording tools set up with your TV or computer, you won't be. Photo by Aaron Escobar.

Earlier this week we asked you to share you favorite DVR applications, and now we're back with the six most popular answers. This week's Hive Five Call for Contenders was one of our tightest races yet, which is why we're featuring six popular DVR apps instead of the standard five.

Intertraff MMS-DVR software is a professional Network Digital Video Recorder, that works with network and analogue cameras to provide video monitoring, recording and event management functions for up to 16 cameras.

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Best DVR Applications?

Whether you're timeshifting your TV with pre-built options like TiVo or rolling your own…

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NOTE: If you'd like to roll your own DVR using your computer, you'll need a TV capture card. If your computer doesn't already have one installed, don't worry—they're not that expensive (I've always had good luck with Hauppauge cards), and you can install them on your PC just like you would install any other PCI card (i.e., easily).

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Hack Attack: How to install a PCI card

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Windows Media Center (Windows)

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For many, Windows Media Center is the product Microsoft got just right. It's easy to set up, has a fantastic, user-friendly interface, and comes packaged for free with several versions of Windows—specifically Windows MCE 2005, Vista Home Premium and Ultimate, and, when it's all ready for public consumption, Windows 7. Windows Media Center's biggest downside is its sometimes less-than-portable DVR-MS format, but some of it's more impressive features—like using the Xbox 360 as an extender or streaming Netflix Watch Instantly videos—can make up for its downsides. If you really want to make your Windows Media Center sing, check out how to turn your Windows PC into a media center powerhouse on the cheap.

Turn Your Windows PC into a Media Center Powerhouse On the Cheap

Click to viewIf you've purchased a new Windows computer in the past few years that's…

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SageTV (Windows/Mac/Linux)

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SageTV is the only DVR application of the bunch that runs on all platforms. Like most of the others, SageTV is a champ at pausing, recording, and playing back live TV. It also integrates with online video, supports commercial skipping, and is about as customizable as you could hope for. SageTV is a commercial application; a license can be yours to the tune of $80.

BeyondTV (Windows)

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BeyondTV is a shareware DVR application for Windows. It handles all the duties you'd expect from a DVR with a few extra features you won't get from all the others, like automatic commercial marking and skipping, placeshifting (i.e., viewing your recordings over the internet), automatic transcoding, iTunes integration, and a simple tool for burning shows to DVD. BeyondTV will set you back $99 for a license.

GB-PVR (Windows)

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GB-PVR is a free DVR application and media center for Windows. GB-PVR boasts a great set of features, including everything from basic time shifting and media center duties to automatic video transcoding (to popular DivX or Xvid codecs, for example). The application has an active and loving community of users and a boatlad of great plug-ins, including a plug-in that integrates with Netflix Watch Instantly and others that add support for DVD burning, BitTorrent, and more. Best of all, GB-PVR can be yours for the low, low price of $0.

TiVo

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TiVo is the the device that introduced most of us to the concept of time shifting TV. Without a doubt TiVo offers an excellent service, but perhaps the largest benefit of owning a TiVo is its no-nonsense setup and operation. Unlike the rest of the options in this Hive Five, TiVo is the only one you don't need a computer to use. The set-top box integrates easily with your cable or satellite provider and connects to broadband services like Netflix Watch Instantly or your Picasa Web Albums. TiVo is a subscription service starting at $12/month (unless you go for an annual plan); you can also buy a lifetime plan for $400.

MythTV (Linux)

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MythTV is a free, open source DVR application. First released way back in 2002, MythTV is one of the first homebrew DVR apps. Once only a viable option for veteran Linux users and hackers, MythTV has evolved into an excellent DVR app for those of us lacking much Linux experience, although it still remains a system tweaker's dream. MythTV is available in several flavors, including KnoppMyth, a Linux live CD with MythTV preloaded, and Mythbuntu, a MythTV-focused distribution of Ubuntu.

Now that you've seen the short list, it's time to vote for your favorite:

Which Is the Best DVR Application?
( surveys)

Dvr Client Software Download

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Whether or not your favorite made the short list this week, let's hear more about the DVR that freed you from the shackles of your regularly scheduled programming in the comments.