Living w/o DVR, suggestions pls

[teCh0010]

That was my 10th post so I can post the links now. Here is the link to the Microsoft overview of Windows Media Center :

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/windows-media-center

You can click on "set it up" for information on how to get it running.

You can get USB stick versions of the TV tuner card for easy installation.

 

[dreamer423]

Get the DVR and skimp on heat.

If you don't have a DVD player, how about a DVD-r? That way you could basically just use it like a DVR, as it doesn't seem like you have that many shows you watch regularly.

Sadly, not true! The list is huge!, I just go to sleep very early and have a DS who keeps me BUSY!

Interesting suggestion, though with DVR.

 

[dreamer423]

Otherwise find out how much a DVR from Comcast will cost.

A whopping $16/month, and its not whole house, and will only record 2 shows at a time. Beleive it or not, I've had 3 recording at same time.

Oh and $16 + tax for a rental does not sit well with me. Especially when I would also have to get a cable box for $9/per tv to upgrade to some of our choice channels..

 

[dreamer423]

That was my 10th post so I can post the links now. Here is the link to the Microsoft overview of Windows Media Center :

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/windows-media-center

You can click on "set it up" for information on how to get it running.

You can get USB stick versions of the TV tuner card for easy installation.

Very interesting. Unfortunately for this but otherwise happily, I have a Mac. But I do know a very tech savvy guy who may help solve this. Now I know more of what to research. Thank you.

 

[englishteacha]

Old school? Record using a VCR?

 

[teCh0010]

Very interesting. Unfortunately for this but otherwise happily, I have a Mac. But I do know a very tech savvy guy who may help solve this. Now I know more of what to research. Thank you.

Take a look at MythTV and Freevo, I know both of these will run on OSX and provide similar functionality to Media Center. avsforums.com may be a good place to do research on HTPC for a Mac.

SageTV was probably the leader in OSX DVR software but Google bought them and they aren't selling software any longer. That software will probably be rolled into some type of google set top box.

 

[C-CMom]

We've been using a DVD recorder - works fairly well. Large quantities of DVDs (which hold about 8 hrs) can be had for relatively little if gotten on sale. However, I just ordered a DVR that I saw recommended. Magnavox makes a 320GB hard drive model now, though I ordered the 500GB model which appears to be discontinued (or at least in short supply). If you buy a "freestanding" unit, you don't have to pay the monthly fees through the cable or satellite company. That said, I haven't really used it yet, so not able to give my final opinion.
Good luck

 

[DawnM]

How does this work? Like the old VCRs?

Is it easy to program? Can you set it to record Channel 7 every Sunday night at 8pm for example so that you never miss whatever show comes on then?

Are you recording to a DVD or is it a hard drive?

Interesting.

Thank you,

Dawn

We've been using a DVD recorder - works fairly well. Large quantities of DVDs (which hold about 8 hrs) can be had for relatively little if gotten on sale. However, I just ordered a DVR that I saw recommended. Magnavox makes a 320GB hard drive model now, though I ordered the 500GB model which appears to be discontinued (or at least in short supply). If you buy a "freestanding" unit, you don't have to pay the monthly fees through the cable or satellite company. That said, I haven't really used it yet, so not able to give my final opinion.
Good luck

 

[C-CMom]

How does this work? Like the old VCRs?

With the DVD recorder that I currently use, yes, essentially has timer like an old VCR and you set it for the time you want (not a menu like the systems with TV service). I think there are "rewritable" DVDs in the world, but we use the type that once you fill them up, you can't re-record over. On our machine it takes an extra 30 seconds or so when you start a new DVD to "format" it - perhaps newer machines don't make you do this. It's not a big deal, just have to remember it will take that extra bit of time if you are in a hurry. Still pretty cheap - I got a monster stack for very cheap awhile back - probably via a rebate at one of the office stores. You can type in the title of the show, save word phrases. It's probably not quite as easy as the systems that come with TV service, but I save a bunch in monthly fees. I really do not like recurring fees.

I don't know about the DVR that I just ordered yet, but I have heard it works basically the same, just records to a hard drive instead and does have some extra features. I found when I was searching there aren't too many options to buy the DVR by itself (not a TV service). I hope it works out! I hate to recommend it before I have tried it, but it sounds like it may be a viable option for you. The extra features listed include:
# Records up to 620 hours of video on the built-in hard disk drive
# 1080p Up-conversion
# Watch, forward, rewind or freeze live TV while recording
# Magnavox HDD/DVD recorder with digital tuner provides 4-way dubbing (HDD to DVD, DVD to HDD, DV to HDD, DV to DVD)
# 1-month, 36-even programming
# Dolby Digital Stream Out
# Virtual Surround System
# DV-Input
# DVD Video Recorder/Player Featuresrogressive Scan Video Out
# Plays DVD Video, DVD+R / RW [VR format], DVD-R / RW [Video format], CD-R/RW, Audio CD, MP3, JPEG
# Recordable Disc (DVD+R / RW, DVD-R / RW)
# Edit Functions (Scene Delete, Title Delete, Add Chapter etc.)
# Five Speeds for Up to 6-hours of Recording
# Closed Caption Data Writing
# Multi Angle, Skip, Pause and Resume Play
# 99 Programs and Random Play (CD)
# Title, Sub Title Display and Marker (6 points)
# Virtual Surround System

 

[hauntedcity]

A whopping $16/month, and its not whole house, and will only record 2 shows at a time. Beleive it or not, I've had 3 recording at same time.

Oh and $16 + tax for a rental does not sit well with me. Especially when I would also have to get a cable box for $9/per tv to upgrade to some of our choice channels..

$16 a month? That's crazy! We used to get a DVR for our satellite system for $5/month.

I'm not sure if this helps, because it sounds like you're sticking with cable, but here's what I did about 2 years ago...

We got rid out DirecTV, and switched totally to antenna. We're close enough to Indianapolis that we get a good signal on all the local stations. With the savings from that, we purchased a Tivo HD. We started paying the monthly Tivo fee, but switched to lifetime service when we realized that the setup would work. We get all the network shows on our DVR. For any cable shows we miss, we just get them from iTunes and watch on our Apple TV. That way, we will never miss Mad Men or Walking Dead ("braaaaaains").

Pros: Right now, we get all the network shows on our DVR in HD for free. Our initial cost has totally paid for itself. We don't watch that many cable shows, but most of those are available in iTunes. Despite some fears about losing Disney, Nick, and Sprout, our children have ended up watching lots of PBS Kids, instead, which has made them freaky smart.

Cons: high initial cost, -- paying for Tivo and service (we already had the Apple TV). There are still a few shows we miss that aren't available on iTunes. No more Ninja Warrior or Monday Night Football (unless the Colts are playing).

Overall, we've been very happy with the setup. It's not for everyone, and this obviously wouldn't work if you watch lots of cable shows.