Without a Guide a DVR is just a VCR
In my opinion, the biggest difference that a DVR makes in your viewing habits is that it allows you to ignore when a particular show airs and instead just indicate the shows you want to watch. This is often called time-shifting in the industry, shifting the time that you watch a particular program, but I’d argue it’s more than that. This article discusses the Verizon interactive program guide that is key to a DVRs ability to operate.