MUMBAI: The usage of Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) is on the rise in the United States. 36 per cent of US homes have DVRs, four times more than the penetration just four years ago, reveals a study from Leichtman Research Group.

But even with the usage of these time-shifting devices, more than 90 per cent of TV viewing in the country remains the traditional, live-linear type.

The study also says that at least 65 per cent of those owning DVRs prefer to begin their TV-watching experience by watching live television and later switch to their recorded programming after determining there‘s nothing that interests them.

The data, contained in the report "On-demand TV 2009: A Nationwide Study on VOD and DVRs," is based on a survey of 1,300 US households.

The report also says more than 20 per cent watched VoD last month, accounting for double the rate four years ago. Also, despite the proliferation of TV shows on websites like Hulu, at least 98 per of television video is viewed on TV screens.

While VoD and DVRs are in vogue today, the report concludes that they are of less impact than was the introduction of direct broadcast satellite television 15 years ago.