Although many streaming services are similar in some ways, one area where they differ is DVR storage. Whether you get an unlimited amount of recording space or a minimal number of hours, DVR storage can be the difference between signing up for a particular service and going elsewhere. After all, there’s nothing worse than finding out you don’t have enough room to record the latest episode of your favorite show or that you have to pay extra to get a decent limit.
Below, we’ve rounded up everything you need to know about the DVR storage of various live TV streaming services: fuboTV, Hulu + Live TV, Sling TV, and YouTube TV. fuboTV is renowned for its sports streaming, while Hulu + Live TV offers an on-demand catalog to rival Netflix. With slimline plans, Sling TV is one of the most affordable options. YouTube TV, on the other hand, is pricier but does come with an impressive network line-up and competitive features.
What is a DVR?
DVRs made life much easier for those who don’t have time to watch all their favorite shows when they air. Standing for digital video recorder, a DVR is a device that can record and store content from a TV provider. You might remember them as a set-top box with the ability to record multiple titles at once and pause, fast forward, or rewind playbacks.
In the modern age, physical DVRs have moved to the cloud. This means you don’t have to find space to house an actual box. Instead, a cloud DVR is an online storage system that comes with a live TV streaming service subscription. Its functionalities are almost identical to regular DVRs, but it doesn’t have any of the limitations of a set-top box. For example, physical DVR devices have a hard drive that can only store so much content. Cloud DVR content, on the other hand, is kept in an online data center with no storage limits. And if numerous titles are on at the same time, you don’t have to worry about investing in the likes of a dual tuner. You can record an unlimited amount of titles at once with this new form of DVR.
Although cloud DVR doesn’t have any restrictions, in theory, streaming services do tend to set specific recording limitations — whether it’s to encourage you to upgrade to more storage space or to keep things running smoothly.
DVR storage on fuboTV
Can you record on fuboTV? fuboTV gives all users 30 hours of cloud DVR storage, so you can record on fubo. Plus, its DVR will automatically record the entirety of a title, even if you only hit the record button halfway through, and allow you to play back as soon as the recording has begun. You may be wondering if there’s a way to boost the limit, and there is. Get 250 hours of space for an extra $9.99/mo. or 1,000 hours for $16.99/mo. If you sign up for certain packages, these upgrades will be included in your monthly price. For example, the 250-hour fubo DVR comes with the Family and Latino plans, while the 1,000-hour DVR is a part of the Elite bundle.
DVR storage on Hulu + Live TV
Can you record on Hulu? Well, Hulu + Live TV subscribers get slightly more DVR storage for free: a grand total of 50 hours. Plus, the platform helps you manage your DVR space. It clearly shows you how much storage you have left and will automatically remove the oldest recordings when you run out. The service is also fully aware that people may need way more than 50 hours to satisfy their streaming needs, so it offers an add-on by the name of Enhanced Cloud DVR. For an additional $9.99/mo., you can enjoy 200 hours. Bonus: only enhanced Hulu DVR users can skip ads during recordings.
DVR storage on Sling TV
Sling TV has a number of packages to choose from, but it treats all subscribers the same. Everyone receives only 10 hours of cloud DVR storage space. That’s quite measly compared to rival platforms. But, again, there’s a way to upgrade. Pay an extra $5/mo. for Cloud DVR Plus to record on Sling TV for 50 hours of content. Again, this may not be enough for some. But the Sling TV DVR upgrade does come with the option to protect recordings so they won’t disappear when you reach the limit.
DVR storage on YouTube TV
Head to YouTube TV for a rare gem in the streaming world: unlimited DVR storage. Yes, that means you can record on YouTube TV endless amounts of content without having to worry about deleting titles or missing out on new episodes. There’s not much to knowing how to record on YouTube TV, as the service automatically records all upcoming airings of shows and every game from your favorite team, so you’ll never have to remember. Plus, the platform ensures you won’t miss any of the action — sports recordings are extended for an extra 30 minutes in case of lengthy games. The only downside is that YouTube TV DVR recordings are only kept for nine months, so you won’t be able to take your sweet, sweet time.
The final cut
Live TV streaming services offer very different cloud DVRs. Some only give you a tiny amount of storage space and ask you to pay more for extra, while others aim to please with an unlimited amount of recording potential. If you need all the room you can get, opt for YouTube TV’s unlimited DVR. But if you only need a couple of hundred hours and all the time in the world to watch recordings, try fuboTV’s various DVR options.