What Is a DVR That Supports Netflix?

by Elijah Chau
TiVo's DVRs allow you to combine DVR functionality and Netflix streaming within your home theater.

TiVo's DVRs allow you to combine DVR functionality and Netflix streaming within your home theater.

Gary Cornhouse/Digital Vision/Getty Images

Netflix has brought its streaming video service onto numerous third-party devices, ranging from video game consoles to dedicated media players. These all allow you to watch Netflix streaming content on your home TV. When it comes to Netflix-compatible DVRs, the options are much simpler, though, because several TiVo-branded DVRs exclusively support Netflix streaming.

TiVo Premiere

As of February 2011, the Premiere is a Series4 model offered by TiVo. In addition to Netflix streaming, it features HD support up to 1080p, an improved user interface, and faster performance. It can also store up to 45 hours of HD content and 400 hours of SD content.

TiVo HD

As one of the predecessors to the TiVo Premiere, the TiVo HD is no longer available in North America, but features similar functionality. Besides HDTV support up to 1080i, the TiVo HD also features a modest 160GB hard drive and standard TiVo DVR functionality.

TiVo Premiere XL

The TiVo Series4 Premiere XL is the upgraded version of the standard Premiere DVR. Both share many of the same basic specifications --- HD support and port support, for instance. However, the Premiere XL includes an improved remote, THX sound and video certification, and a larger internal hard drive. It can store three to five times as much video as the TiVo Premiere.

TiVo HD XL

The TiVo HD XL also preceded the Series4 TiVo DVRs, but still features hefty specifications. HD support is also capped at 1080i, but the DVR features a 1TB hard drive, expandable internal storage and support for a variety of third-party content providers, including Amazon, Netflix and Rhapsody. The HD XL is also discontinued, but available through some third-party retailers.

TiVo Series3

The TiVo Series3 is from the same production line as the TiVo HD and HD XL, and features similar specifications. Besides HD support up to 1080i, the Series3 features a 250GB hard drive and THX audio and video support. At around 4 years old, though, the Series3 is the oldest TiVo DVR with Netflix support, so it will operate with a significant performance deficit.

About the Author

Elijah Chau has been writing professionally since 2007 and has worked as a writer at publications such as "LAPTOP Magazine" and "The State News." He currently attends the University of Chicago and is working towards a bachelor's degree in political science.

Photo Credits

  • Gary Cornhouse/Digital Vision/Getty Images