DVR Second Only to Cell Among Gizmos: Survey

Consumers prefer digital video recorders to nearly every other appliance and gadget they own, a survey finds. The group asked 1,012 DVR owners across four countries to rank their gadgets and appliances. The respondents overwhelmingly elected the DVR their second-most essential gadget (behind their cell phones), and third-most valuable appliance (behind washing machines and microwaves), Ars Technica reports.

Even more revealing was how strongly users believed that the DVR had improved their lives. In the US, 79% said their recorder had improved their relationships with their spouses and significant others. Though the survey was sponsored by a DVR service provider, there’s no doubt they’re growing in popularity; by 2011, one group predicts half of US households will have one. (More TiVo stories.)