Finest over-the-air DVR for wire cutters in 2025
Subsequent to an over-the-air antenna, an over-the-air DVR is a necessary device within the lifetime of a cord-cutter.
With an over-the-air DVR, you may file exhibits from an antenna, rewind stay TV broadcasts, and even fast-forward by commercials. Some DVRs may even stream video to a number of TVs and even allow you to watch recorded TV exhibits in your telephone, pill, or laptop computer whilst you’re away from residence.
Fewer producers are constructing over-the-air DVRs as of late, however some smaller {hardware} and software program makers are nonetheless placing up the great combat, offering a degree of management you simply don’t get from streaming providers alone.
Why it’s best to belief us
As TechHive’s resident cord-cutting skilled, I’ve been reviewing over-the-air DVRs since 2017. These are remarkably advanced merchandise, and I do my greatest to grasp what of us are searching for as they attempt to transfer on from the cable DVR expertise they’re accustomed to. Past simply product opinions, I write a weekly column about streaming and over-the-air TV for TechHive, together with a weekly cord-cutting publication for greater than 30,000 subscribers.
The OTA DVRs TechHive recommends
BitRouter Zapperbox M1 — Finest OTA DVR proper now
Execs
- Simple method to file over-the-air TV
- Performs and data encrypted ATSC 3.0 channels
- Product is usually enhancing by software program updates
Cons
- Tuner administration can get difficult
- No visible preview to assist skip over commercials
- Can’t kind sequence recordings by season
Finest Costs Right now:
₹65,950
Why we just like the Bitrouter ZapperBox M1
The ZapperBox M1 is an easy, plug-and-play DVR with a listing of options that’s steadily rising. It connects on to your TV’s HDMI port and makes use of your alternative of a microSD card or an exterior USB drive for storage. The $30-per-year DVR subscription offers a 14-day grid information and series-based recordings.
As of February 2025, it’s the one over-the-air DVR available on the market that may file encrypted ATSC 3.0 channels, which a rising variety of broadcasters are adopting. It additionally helps different ATSC 3.0 options, comparable to Dolby dialog increase, HDR video, and extra broadband-based channels.
Who should purchase the ZapperBox M1
The ZapperBox M1 is right for folk who wish to future-proof their DVRs for ATSC 3.0 and keep away from the vagaries of in-home streaming, which another over-the-air DVRs require. It’s expensive at $275 for a dual-tuner mannequin (plus the subscription payment), however reliable.
Nonetheless, those that need extra superior options, comparable to out-of-home streaming and automated advert skipping, ought to look elsewhere.
Learn our full
ZapperBox M1 evaluate
Channels DVR — Finest OTA DVR for energy customers
Execs
- Data each over-the-air and stay streaming channels
- Slick software program with plenty of DVR creature comforts
- Wonderful audio and video high quality for broadcast channels
Cons
- Difficult setup
- No Roku or recreation console assist
- Subscription payment is increased than different over-the-air DVRs
Why we like Channels DVR
Channels DVR is a software program resolution that runs on a desktop laptop, NAS field, or Raspberry Pi. You will need to additionally provide an HDHomeRun tuner to seize over-the-air channels and relay them to your server gadget.
For individuals who hassle setting all of it up, the result’s a deeply rewarding media heart expertise with automated ad-skipping, out-of-home viewing, customized channel classes, and extra. You’ll be able to even herald video from different sources—comparable to DVD rips and on-line M3U streams—supplying you with one app wherein to view every little thing.
Who should purchase Channels DVR
Between the {hardware} necessities and the subscription value of $8 monthly or $80 per 12 months, Channels DVR shouldn’t be for everybody. However for those who search an over-the-air DVR resolution that enables for personalisation and extensibility—whereas nonetheless being a pleasure to really use—that is nearly as good because it will get.
Learn our full
Channels DVR (2020) evaluate
Plex DVR — Finest OTA DVR for energy customers, runner-up
Execs
- Entry your DVR on virtually any streaming gadget, from wherever
- Automated advert skipping and elective business deletion
- Plenty of granular management over what to file
Cons
- Occasional glitches with loading the stay TV menu
- Interlaced channels can look uneven on Apple TV, iPhones, and iPads
- Free streaming content material integration can get annoying to work round
Why we like Plex DVR
Plex’s over-the-air DVR resolution presents ad-skipping, out-of-home viewing, and an inexpensive subscription, together with a lifetime possibility. The software program offers granular choices for selecting what to file, and you may play your recordings on any virtually any streaming gadget from wherever on this planet you will have broadband entry. This isn’t an out-of-the-box expertise, although, so pay attention to what’s concerned. You’ll want a TV tuner, a TV antenna, and a tool that may function as a house server. That may be an Raspberry Pi, a NAS field, or an outdated laptop you will have laying round the home. No matter you choose, it can want be powered up 24/7 and also you’ll additionally want some storage to carry your recordings. Channels DVR presents a smoother expertise general, nevertheless it’s costlier and also you’ll have fewer {hardware} choices.
Who should purchase Plex DVR
DIYers who’ve the know-how to arrange the required {hardware}, don’t thoughts not having the ability to file streaming content material, and might be affected person with occasional glitches in Plex’s stay TV menu. Once you’re completed, you’ll have a strong DVR system with highly effective recording options, advert skipping, and out-of-home viewing; plus, no ongoing charges for those who go for a $120 lifetime Plex Cross. Word that subscription costs are slated to extend on April 29, 2025 to $6.99 monthly, $69.99 per 12 months, or $249.99 for a lifetime sub.
Learn our full
Plex DVR evaluate
Tablo 4th-generation DVR — An affordable possibility (with caveats)
Execs
- Data from an antenna with no subscription required
- Free streaming channels present much more to file
- Strong series-recording choices
Cons
- Vital stability points and bugs
- No schedule view makes tuner administration troublesome
- Roku app lacks a mini information
Why we just like the Tablo 4th-gen DVR
We’d like to put the 4th-gen Tablo on the high of this listing, as a result of on paper it presents a lot. For $99 with no subscription charges, a single Tablo DVR can stream video onto a number of TVs all through the house, utilizing companion apps for varied sensible TV and streaming platforms. It might even file from dozens of free streaming channels, supplying you with extra to look at than different over-the-air DVRs.
However in our testing, the most recent Tablo repeatedly dropped offline, failed to finish scheduled recordings, and had quite a few different bugs. We embody it right here as a result of there merely aren’t many different choices price contemplating.
Who ought to get the Tablo 4th-gen DVR
In case you have a excessive tolerance for bugs and actually wish to keep away from further subscription charges, take an opportunity on the Tablo. We’ll revisit this DVR sooner or later to see if its reliability points have been resolved by software program updates. Replace, April 15 2025: A latest replace has rendered the Roku app just about unusuable with the Tablo 4th-gen DVR.
Learn our full
Tablo (4th Technology) Over-the-Air DVR evaluate
Extra about DVRs
Regularly requested cord-cutting DVR questions
What can I watch with an over-the-air DVR?
This depends upon the kind of antenna you will have, the variety of broadcast stations close by, and the standard of your sign. At greatest, you’ll have entry to ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox, CW, PBS, and different public-access stations, together with digital subnetworks comparable to MeTV and ION. (An antenna received’t get you any cable channels comparable to ESPN, TNT, and HGTV, no matter what sleazy antenna advertising says.) Plug your tackle into Antennaweb’s lookup device for a way of what’s obtainable at your location.
Can I file streaming providers?
Whereas the fourth-generation Tablo can file from a small variety of free streaming channels, most over-the-air DVRs solely work with the channels you get from an antenna. If you wish to watch and file common cable channels, you’re higher off subscribing to a stay TV streaming service that features a cloud-based DVR. You’ll be able to’t file exhibits from providers like Netflix or Hulu, not less than not with out elaborate workarounds.
What’s a tuner and what number of do I would like?
Most over-the-air DVRs include both two tuners, which may play or file two channels at a time, or 4 tuners, which may play or file 4 channels at a time. Extra tuners means much less potential for recording conflicts, however the {hardware} is costlier, and splitting the sign from a single antenna can degrade sign high quality, which is an issue in case your reception is borderline to start with.
Can I anticipate higher or worse reception with an over-the-air DVR?
As talked about above, splitting an antenna throughout a number of tuners can lead to some sign loss, however networked tuners comparable to Tablo could will let you place your antenna in an space with higher reception, comparable to on an higher ground in a window dealing with your nearest broadcast towers. There’s at all times some trial and error concerned with over-the-air reception, and DVR merchandise aren’t any totally different. (Tablo has some useful tips about optimizing reception, with or with out an over-the-air DVR.)
Is an ATSC 1.0 DVR nonetheless price getting?
Broadcasters should assist ATSC 1.0 till not less than February 2027, however as a result of ATSC 3.0 isn’t backward-compatible with present tuners, it’s laborious to check them leaving the outdated customary behind in that timeframe. Many TV makers are nonetheless delivery new units with ATSC 1.0 tuners, and there’s no federal mandate forcing anybody to maneuver onto the brand new customary. Barring some authorities intervention that results in a surge in ATSC 3.0 adoption, ATSC 1.0 DVRs ought to nonetheless have a protracted lifespan forward.
Different over-the-air DVRs we’ve examined
AirTV Anyplace is an over-the-air DVR from a subsidiary of Dish Community, designed to combine with Dish’s Sling TV streaming service. Plug in an antenna, and you may watch or file stay TV by the Sling TV app, even with out a subscription. The dearth of subscription charges is nice, however recording capabilities are restricted, and Sling hasn’t up to date the product line since 2020, which doesn’t instill confidence.
Jellyfin’s open-source software program runs on any desktop laptop and makes use of an HDHomeRun tuner to seize video from an antenna. Whereas it’s free to make use of, the setup is a trouble, the companion apps are unintuitive, and you need to provide your personal TV-guide information, which you’ll most probably must pay for anyway. Skip it until open-source is a part of your private tech manifesto.
SiliconDust presents its personal DVR software program for HDHomeRun tuners, nevertheless it now not presents the Scribe tuner {hardware} that had built-in recording capabilities. Which means you want a separate desktop laptop to create and retailer the recordings. Its software program is much less refined than each Plex and Channels DVR, so we advocate these options together with an HDHomeRun tuner for DIY-minded customers.
Mediasonic sells subscription-free DVRs for lower than $40 beneath the Homeworx model, with no subscription charges. The expertise is cruder than each different possibility we’ve talked about right here, however you may’t argue with the value.
