How many shows can the Time Warner DVR record?

Someone please help me. What do I need to record shows from Time Warner Cable?

• I was thinking of buying DVR or VCR to record shows off Time Warner Cable. I talked to reps from TWC and they told me I should lease $99.8 DVR per month. But I wanted a cheaper way. I asked them if could hook up a DVR that I could purchase from other places like Wal-mart or Fry's with TV, and they told me that VCR can be connected to TV without extra devices but I couldn't understand what the rep said about DVR over the phone. They recommended their DVR through whole conversation but off course they are sales reps. that's their job. So I was wondering what I would need to hook up a DVR with TV to be able to record shows Time Warner Cable. Do I have to get a special kind of cable or a device from Time Warner Cable to set in between DVR and TV? Or would a normal DVR and turner can do all the work?? Someone please help me.

• Answer:

  Forget VCR as these are below standard-def in quality. The DVR from the cable or sat company is your best bet because these devices save the exact bit-stream in the original broadcast. When you watch - there is no loss in quality. You can buy 3rd-party HD-DVR box's like the Moxie unit. I think it runs about $300 (do a search). But these have to do an Analog-to-Digital conversion. These other box's also have another problem: they dont read your TimeWarner Electronic Program Guide. The EPG is the 'secret sauce' behind a DVR. This information allows the box to accurately shift recording times, catch new shows when new seasons start, give you information to search for shows, etc. A VCR or 3rd party DVR does not have this EPG. You have to subscribe to TV guide or spend time searching each week for shows to record. In my opinion - the $10/month pays for the EPG and makes it all worth-while. This information changes daily and a team of people work to keep it up-to-date. My time - is worth more than that to scan for shows and setup "Record Channel 5 from 8-9 pm each Wed" type of grunt work. Hope this helps.