Xbox One Getting Free TV DVR Functionality in 2016, Chatpad Announced

@barcaazul: maybe they will I hope so

@otterbee: Expanding the Xbox One's storage capacity is as easy as plugging in a USB 3.0 hard drive. Plug a 5 TB drive into your 500 GB console and you've now got a 5.5 TB console.

They've already made clear that the use of an external drive is recommend both for capacity and to separate game operations from video operations.

Why would it need to replace your cable box? This is imposed by the cable company and not under Microsoft's control. If a later version support cable/satellite and not just OTA, it would mean you no longer need to pay the cable company for a DVR instead of a plain cable box. If a USB CableCard accessory were produced, then the cable box could be eliminated, leaving just the minimal rental cost of the CableCard.

@otterbee: how big is a normal DVR box? Also there is no comment on using external HD or replacing the internal HD for something larger.

While companies have not fully replaced there boxes yet there is apps for Uverse, Fios, and TWC of I am not mistaken. Not to mention this allows you to replace your DVR with simply a basic digital box.

This is great innovation and could see use with SlingTV and possibly other options as well.

By the way I don't personally stream games but I would assume that the TV app would have to be active in order for this to work so not sure if streaming would effect the TV functionality but that could be a downside if iit did cause issues.

@ronan32: Simply not true. Microsoft found during the Xbox 360's career that a significant portion of the installed base was using it far more for stuff like Netflix than fro gaming. While something like a Roku is less expensive the Xbox 360 performed far better. The Xbox One ups the ante considerably in comparison to things like an AppleTV. So long as there is a revenue stream, it isn't in Microsoft's interest to tell people they can only use the Xbox as a game console. If it can be achieved with relatively inexpensive software development, adding more features to the Xbox is always going to add value.

@ronan32: wow, did you miss all the games that will coming out for Xbox in the next year. Maybe someone should tell Sony that their console is a gaming console considering they haven't really been pumping the games out. At least tell Sony that their console was released in 2013 and not 1995.

@ronan32: actually some of us use it for everything including the non-gaming apps.

@ronan32: SONY HAS CABLE TV THRU PS4 for $50 a Month

@ronan32: it's good to have options. Instead of having a digital antenna and a roku or Apple TV you can use the Xbox and some apps.

@amaneuvering: Probably...but you'll need the Sling TV service to get cable channels.

This DVR announcement applies to only free over-the-air broadcast channels: NBC, ABC, CBS, Fox, etc. And you need to be close enough to their broadcast towers for an antenna (indoor or outdoor) to pick-up the signal.

Under those circumstances, the Xbox One will give you full DVR capabilities for programming on the free OTA networks.

If you want ESPN, TNT, A&E and other cable networks, Sling has a streaming product which starts at $20 per month.

That package of programming will probably cost MUCH less than what most people pay their cable / satellite providers each month for programming and equipment. But for the Sling service you'll still want good high-speed internet and a sizable data allowance.

@amaneuvering: no this is for recording over the air TV not cable. The cable signal is scrambled and required a cable card and two way tuner to descramble and record.