Network DVR pros, cons

Mediaweek looks at the promise -- and, alas, potential pitfalls -- of centralized "network DVRs" run by the cable company. Instead of using your own set-top box or a card installed in your computer, you'd simply have the cable company record shows for you, to be played back at your leisure.

The main advantage, of course, is that it would make DVR functionality instantly available to digital cable subscribers without any fussing about with installing or upgrading hardware.

The downsides are all on the content side. One, existing copyright law makes mass recording of commercial programming "for personal use" questionable from a legal perspective. Also, a big boost in DVR usage threatens programmers' business models if too many people skip commercials. One solution cited: network DVRs that don't let viewers skip through ads ... which takes away one of the main selling points of the technology.