Tivo alternative?

[DawnM]

I seem to remember reading about a DVR that was an alternative to Tivo several months ago and now I can't find it!

Someone mentioned a DVR that you could use with Over the air channels (no cable or satellite) and you could pay $20 per year for a guide so that you can program it to record.

What was it called and how do you do it?

Thank you!,

Dawn

 

[redlawyer]

I am looking for something like this, too. Does anyone know of it?

 

[Tina]

You may be talking about ReplayTV. We had one about 7 or 8 years ago. It was a great competitor to Tivo. You can no longer buy NEW equipment, but you can still subscribe. Read this wiki about ReplayTV:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ReplayTV

You can find the equipment online from different sellers. Try Ebay or Amazon resellers.

 

[DawnM]

I found it. I don't think this will work for me as I am not willing to have a computer dedicated to the TV nor do I have the computer savvy to build this.

Mythdora.com

BUT, if you know of another alternative, I would love to know!

Thanks.

Dawn

 

[Tina]

Here's another one: The EchoStar TR-50

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-13855_1-9840910-67.html

 

[mickeymaker2003]

If you don't mind using a converter box for digital channels (the TiVo can control it) and recording in standard definition instead of HD, there are TiVos out there that don't require paid service to work. The Toshiba TiVos (SD-H400, RS-TX20 and RS-TX60 all came with something called TiVo basic service). They can record by time and channel and have three days worth of information about shows at a time. You can watch a show that is already recorded while something else is recording.

The SD-H400 has a built in DVD player and the RS-TX20 and RS-TX60 even have built in DVD recorders (that also play DVDs). They can be found on ebay for under $200. I highly recommend them (I like the RS-TX series better because they use the regular TiVo remote--the SD-H400 uses a different one that I don't like to use and it is hard to replace. They work like TiVos because they are TiVos, but you don't have to pay for service They don't have Season Passes or Wishlists, but as long as you are willing to tell it when to record and what channel, it will be fine.

 

[Steve BWV'99]

If you have a spare PC and get a TV Tuner card for cheap, you can get Beyond TV, which is like TIVO without the subscription fees. It costs $99

http://www.snapstream.com/products/beyondtv/

Ive heard good things about it.

 

[DawnM]

We don't have a spare PC, but does this hook up directly to the TV? Can it record in HD?

Dawn

If you have a spare PC and get a TV Tuner card for cheap, you can get Beyond TV, which is like TIVO without the subscription fees. It costs $99

http://www.snapstream.com/products/beyondtv/

Ive heard good things about it.

 

[DawnM]

Are there any like this that WILL record in HD?

I really don't want to go back to non-HD TV if I don't have to.

Dawn

If you don't mind using a converter box for digital channels (the TiVo can control it) and recording in standard definition instead of HD, there are TiVos out there that don't require paid service to work. The Toshiba TiVos (SD-H400, RS-TX20 and RS-TX60 all came with something called TiVo basic service). They can record by time and channel and have three days worth of information about shows at a time. You can watch a show that is already recorded while something else is recording.

The SD-H400 has a built in DVD player and the RS-TX20 and RS-TX60 even have built in DVD recorders (that also play DVDs). They can be found on ebay for under $200. I highly recommend them (I like the RS-TX series better because they use the regular TiVo remote--the SD-H400 uses a different one that I don't like to use and it is hard to replace. They work like TiVos because they are TiVos, but you don't have to pay for service They don't have Season Passes or Wishlists, but as long as you are willing to tell it when to record and what channel, it will be fine.

 

[DawnM]

Oh, this might be what I am looking for....I will have to read more about it. That website didn't quite answer all the questions I had.

Ok, looks like this has to go through a PC as well......

Dawn

Here's another one: The EchoStar TR-50

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-13855_1-9840910-67.html

 

[Steve BWV'99]

We don't have a spare PC, but does this hook up directly to the TV? Can it record in HD?

Dawn

Yes, the tuner card you install in the PC has a coax cable connection you would directly connect to your HD antenna. It records in HD Here is an overview:

http://www.snapstream.com/support/beyondtv/helpfile/index.html?digitalhdtv.htm

The connection from the PC to the TV would be HDMI.

This solution is designed for Home Theater PC's obviously. We replaced our DirectTV service with a HTPC that we use to stream netflix/hulu/boxee. Some upfront costs for the PC unless you have one laying around but defenitly a cost saver in the long term.

 

[csharpwv]

We just have a DVC through our cable company which is Time Warner.

 

[DawnM]

I am looking for one that does not require a subscription or cable or satellite.


Dawn

We just have a DVC through our cable company which is Time Warner.

 

[DawnM]

Thank you. I will take a look.

Dawn

Yes, the tuner card you install in the PC has a coax cable connection you would directly connect to your HD antenna. It records in HD Here is an overview:

http://www.snapstream.com/support/beyondtv/helpfile/index.html?digitalhdtv.htm

The connection from the PC to the TV would be HDMI.

This solution is designed for Home Theater PC's obviously. We replaced our DirectTV service with a HTPC that we use to stream netflix/hulu/boxee. Some upfront costs for the PC unless you have one laying around but defenitly a cost saver in the long term.

 

[superminnie]

Here's another one: The EchoStar TR-50

http://ces.cnet.com/8301-13855_1-9840910-67.html

Was this product ever released and if so where do you buy them? This article and all the other info I have found on this is back from 2008. Surely it would have been released by now 2 years later???

 

[mickeymaker2003]

Are there any like this that WILL record in HD?

I really don't want to go back to non-HD TV if I don't have to.

Dawn

There are no TiVo basic boxes that will record in HD (AKA: No Tivos that don't need service in order to record in HD). You could get a HD TiVo from ebay that has lifetime service on it and then you'd never have to pay again. It isn't a cheap option (probably $350 - $400), but it would be dual tuner so you can record two shows at once and watch something already recorded while it is recording on two other channgels if you want and it will accept both HD and non-HD channels.

 

[DawnM]

I did see those.

The short term cost is high but the savings in the long run would be better.

We currently have 3 DVRs with directv. I truly hate watching live TV anymore! Spoiled, I know!

We plan to run the antenna through the cable lines.....do I only need one line coming in in order to watch one show and record another, like regular cable?

I was really hoping for a cheaper alternative (no $400 lifetime subscription or $13/mo. fees).

Dawn

There are no TiVo basic boxes that will record in HD (AKA: No Tivos that don't need service in order to record in HD). You could get a HD TiVo from ebay that has lifetime service on it and then you'd never have to pay again. It isn't a cheap option (probably $350 - $400), but it would be dual tuner so you can record two shows at once and watch something already recorded while it is recording on two other channgels if you want and it will accept both HD and non-HD channels.

 

[mickeymaker2003]

One antenna connection is all you'll need for it to be able to record two channels at a time (and watch a pre-recorded show at the same time too).

Sorry, I don't know anything about the cheaper options... But I know lots about TiVos since we have one on every TV in the house. My 3 year old doesn't know a TV without TiVo and thinks everyone can watch Curious George whenever they want.

I did see those.

The short term cost is high but the savings in the long run would be better.

We currently have 3 DVRs with directv. I truly hate watching live TV anymore! Spoiled, I know!

We plan to run the antenna through the cable lines.....do I only need one line coming in in order to watch one show and record another, like regular cable?

I was really hoping for a cheaper alternative (no $400 lifetime subscription or $13/mo. fees).

Dawn