Best OTA DVR Options – Best DVR for Cord Cutters

With rising prices from cable, satellite, and over-the-top (OTT) streaming video on demand providers alike, cord-cutting continues to skyrocket in popularity. While subscribing to the likes of Netflix and Hulu is a great means of accessing content, an over-the-air (OTA) TV tuner lets you watch free live television from local broadcast stations. Although you can simply hook up an OTA antenna to most televisions with an RF input, adding a digital video recorder (DVR) offers the ability to save recordings for watching later. Check out the best OTA DVR options for 2023!

What is an OTA DVR – Digital Video Recorders for Antenna TV

While digital video recorders are most commonly associated with traditional cable and satellite television set-top boxes, you can buy a DVR for antenna TV as well. Similar to cable and satellite DVRs, an over-the-air antenna DVR lets you pause, rewind, and record live television using an OTA antenna. As such, it’s a cost-effective solution for cord-cutters. You’ll still be able to save TV shows for on-demand viewing but without the high cost of a cable subscription.

What to Look for in an Over-the-Air DVR

When selecting a DVR recorder, there are tons of considerations.

Number of TV tuners: First, think about how many TV tuners you’ll need. While some HD digital video recorders can handle a single stream, others can handle broadcast and recording of multiple streams. A solitary OTA antenna delivers a television signal, but the number of TV tuners in an over-the-air DVR determines how many simultaneous recordings may be scheduled. Most users should be fine with a dual or even single tuner DVR while hardcore cord cutters may want a four-tuner DVR.

Internet connectivity: Most OTA DVRs feature Internet connectivity with Wi-Fi, Ethernet, or both. This allows for both whole-home DVR for streaming to phones, tablets, PCs, Rokus, game consoles, and Android TV boxes scattered around your house. Additionally, out-of-home streaming typically works for accessing saved recordings remotely on-the-go.

App compatibility: It’s important to make sure that your DVR has apps for your mobile devices, smart TV, streaming devices, or other gadgets. That way, you can stream to networked devices in your home as well as while you’re away from your house.

Software experience and subscriptions: Software is key as well. Most DVRs feature channel guides and a hub for accessing recordings. Similarly, a lot of DVRs offer paid software, although DVRs without subscriptions may be found as well. While subscription software may be purchased, it’s usually optional. What’s more, there are plenty of alternatives such as Plex Live TV.

HDMI output: Having an HDMI output can be convenient for hooking up a TV recording device directly to a television or projector. However, you may want an Internet-enabled OTA DVR for whole-home and out-of-home viewing.

Storage: Whereas select DVR boxes include storage, others require user-provided harddrives or flash drives for saving recordings. Likewise, certain DVRs can handle internal harddrives or flash drives for a self-contained, clutter-free experience while others only take external drives.

Whole-home streaming: With Internet connectivity, many OTA DVRs allow for in-home streaming. You’ll be able to access recordings and live TV on select devices including smart TVs, streaming set-top boxes, and mobile devices.

Out-of-home streaming: Similarly, some DVRs let you stream live TV and recordings to devices outside of your home. While on the go, you can fire up an app and watch live TV as well as saved recordings.

ATSC 3.0: There’s a revolutionary new broadcast TV standard in ATSC 3.0 that promises next-gen TV features like 4K HDR video, surround sound, and more. While any OTA antenna will be compatible with ATSC 3.0, you’ll need a compatible TV tuner to access ATSC 3.0.

Price: Cost is a major purchasing factor. Since an over-the-air DVR should be a one-time purchase and theoretically will save you money, even springing for a high-end model should still yield cost-savings over time.

OTA DVR considerations:

• Price
• Internet connectivity (Wi-Fi, Ethernet)
• Client device compatibility
• Software experience
• Subscription vs. no subscription
• Includes storage vs. user-provided storage
• Internal vs. external storage space
• HDMI output

Best OTA DVR for Most Folks – Tablo 4th Gen

The Tablo 4th Gen OTA DVR is an excellent option for cord cutters. It comes in a small puck-shaped form factor that resembles an Amazon Echo Dot or Google Home Mini.

Tablo’s latest over-the-air DVR sports a pair of ATSC 1.0 tuners for recording from two channels simultaneously. You’ll find 128GB of onboard storage, but you can add your own external drives as well.

Aside from DVR functionality, Tablo also added free live streaming channels into its Tablo app channel guide. You’ll find Tablo apps Roku, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, smart TVs, Android, and iOS.

You can purchase the Tablo fourth-gen OTA DVR in a bundle package with an antenna, or with no antenna so you can use your own like a Mohu, AntennasDirect, or another one of the best OTA antennas.

We like the Tablo 4th gen’s small form factor, whole-home support for watching live and recorded content on any device, plus integration of live streaming channels. And unlike its previous-generation DVRs like the Tablo Dual HDMI, there’s no subscription software of any kind. We’d like ATSC 3.0 support, but 1.0 support is great and provides 1080p high-definition (HD) recordings with up to 5.1 surround aound audio.

Pros:

• ATSC 1.0 tuner
• 2x tuners for recording up to four simultaneous channels
• Ethernet and Wi-Fi support
• 128GB of onboard storage and USB for storage expansion
• Channel guide includes free live-streaming channels
• Compatible with apps for Roku, Fire TV, Android TV, Apple TV, iOS, Android, smart TVs
• No subscription software

Cons:

• Lacks ATSC 3.0

Best Value ATSC 3.0 OTA TV Tuner – ZapperBox M1

The ZapperBox M1 is an outstanding ATSC 3.0 over-the-air DVR. This OTA DVR sports 4K HDR support and comes with dual tuners for recording content from two channels simultaneously. Thanks to its ATSC 3.0 compatibility, the ZapperBox M1 lets you enjoy recordings in up to 4K 60 FPS with Dolby Atmos audio. We like its great channel guide and the fact that there’s an included HDMI cable. Admittedly, the price isn’t cheap when compared with many rival devices, but since it’s a cutting-edge digital video recorder, the ZapperBox M1 is the best value ATSC 3.0 TV tuner on the market.

Pros:

• ATSC 3.0
• Supports up to 4K 60 FPS video, HDR10 and HLG HDR standards, Dolby Atmos video
• Excellent connectivity – Wi-Fi, Ethernet, HDMI
• Includes a great remote
• Good channel guide
• Dual tuner

Cons:

• Could be cheaper

Best OTA DVR for Plex – SiliconDust HDHomeRun Flex

Plex is arguably the best media server software option available. Since its inception, Plex has added a host of features for cord-cutters such as live streaming TV channels, free legal ad-supported movies and TV shows, podcast aggregation, and OTA DVR connectivity. Adding a compatible OTA DVR lets you watch and record live television with Plex DVR.

There are a handful of Plex-compatible TV tuners including options from AVerMedia, Hauppauge, AntennasDirect, and SiliconDust. But the SiliconDust HDHomeRun Flex is the best OTA DVR TV tuner for Plex. It’s compatible with Windows, macOS, Linux, NAS devices, and the Nvidia Shield TV. Configuration is a breeze. Just plug in an Ethernet cable and an antenna.

Plex’s DVR runs as a web app that you can pull up in a browser on a PC or mobile device. You’ll find various features such as commercial removal in Plex DVR that work extremely well. Of course, you can also use HDHomeRun software from SiliconDust instead.

The Scribe Flex packs four TV tuners with two of the four being ATSC 3.0 tuners. There’s great client support with wide-ranging Plex compatibility, and tons of HDHomeRun apps for the likes of Windows 10, macOS, Android, iOS, and Xbox One. ATSC 3.0 is the next big development in the OTA tuner space promising 4K video support at up to 120 frames per second alongside improved surround sound audio transmission.

In their testing TechHive found a delay when switching channels. Additionally, older televisions require a streaming device or dongle for full functionality. Still, the HDHomeRun Flex 4K is a fantastic ATSC 3.0 NextGenTV OTA DVR for Plex.

Pros:

• Best-in-class Plex DVR compatibility
• Great SiliconDust app support
• Four tuners, 2x ATSC 3.0, 2x ATSC 1.0
• Easy to use
• Fantastic video quality

Cons:

• SiliconDust software is clunky (not an issue if using Plex DVR)
• Requires smart TV for full functionality
• Delay switching channels

Best TiVo DVR – TiVo Edge

TiVo might not be the only digital-video-recorder on the market, but it’s certainly one of the most well-known and popular hardware manufacturers. The TiVo Edge OTA DVR provides a superb comprehensive cord-cutting landscape. There’s OTA antenna connectivity as well as streaming app support for the likes of Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hulu, and YouTube. Plus, there’s 4K video output with Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support.

You can record four streams at once, and store up to 300 hours of high definition video. Plus, TiVo software is incredibly refined. Still, there’s a catch. As polished as TiVo’s software ecosystem is, it’s nonetheless pricey. You’ll need to shell out for a monthly, yearly, or lifetime subscription. Despite the initial high cost, the Edge is a good investment as a cord-cutting and streaming box.

Pros:

• 4K video output
• OTA antenna connectivity
• Dolby Vision and Dolby Atmos support
• Four-tuner DVR
• Holds up to 300 hours of HD video
• Fantastic software ecosystem

Cons:

• Pricey
• Expensive for TiVo subscription

Best Budget OTA DVR – Mediasonic Homeworx

If you’re on a tight budget, the Mediasonic Homeworx is a solid choice. Its outputs include an HDMI, composite video out, and an antenna passthrough. There’s an RF input for connecting an OTA antenna as well as a USB port for hooking up flash drives or harddrives to save recordings. At under $50, it’s an absolute steal.

Of course, the Homeworx is admittedly barebones, Unlike over-the-air TV tuners and DVRs from the likes of Tablo, SiliconDust, or TiVo, the MediaSonic lacks a refined menu or channel guide. It’s an antiquated software experience. Whereas many DVRs like the Tablo Quad and Fire TV Recast provide internal storage space, the Homeworx only allows for external drives. Therefore, it’s not as tidy-looking and clutter-free.

Still, the MediaSonic Homeworx has a lot to offer, particularly for the price. Recordings are saved in formats suitable for watching on other devices. And the composite video outputs are perfect for older TV sets.

The basic remote includes useful buttons for the likes of pulling up a channel list or programming guide. What’s more, you won’t have to pay for any software subscription. Although the onboard Homeworx software isn’t impressive, it works just fine and is completely free.

Pros:

• Affordable
• No subscription fees
• HDMI output, composite video output, RF antenna output
• Antenna input
• USB input
• Recordings saved to external drives in DRM-free formats
• Compact, small footprint

Cons:

• No included storage
• Lacks internal harddrive bay, only external storage via front-facing USB port
• Clunky software experience
• Single tuner

Best OTA DVR FAQs

Best OTA DVR 2023- Final Thoughts

An over-the-air antenna is a nifty means of saving money. With merely an upfront cost and no subscription fees, OTA antennas are among the best investments for cord-cutters. And an OTA DVR TV tuner lets you save recordings just as you would with a traditional cable or satellite digital video recorder. There are loads of options at a range of prices. From single-tuner DVRs to quad-tuner devices with built-in storage, you’ve got an array of choices.

Your turn: Which OTA DVR do you recommend?