Most Americans say a digital video recorder is indispensable—and that it has improved their marriages, according to a recent survey.
About 81% of Americans surveyed said a DVR is an essential technology, beaten only by those who said they couldn’t live without their mobile phone (92%).
Meanwhile, 79% of DVR users who have a significant other said that using a digital video recorder has improved their relationship with their partner, by decreasing the likelihood of arguments over what to watch and allowing couples to watch shows of mutual interest together.
The survey was commissioned by NDS, which sells DVR software, conditional access and other technology to pay TV operators.
“The takeaway for me is, once somebody has a DVR, they can’t do without it,” said Steve Tranter, NDS vice president of broadband and interactive.
The survey was conducted in July by U.K.-based Consumer Analysis Group and included 1,012 consumers in the U.S., the U.K., Italy and Australia between 18 and 70 years old.
Other findings from the survey: 57% of American DVR owners watch more than 3 hours of live or recorded TV daily; male DVR owners watch more recorded TV on average than women (2.2 hours vs. 2.0 hours).
About half of those surveyed (52%) who own one DVR said they’d like to get a second one.
