8 replies to this topic

[Paradigm]

I don't have a cable box, but I watch a decent amount of broadcast television. I get HD channels over-the-air through my building's coaxial plugin.

I'd like to hook some kind of DVR up to my television so that I can record live sports, Sunday morning news shows that I don't wake up for, things of that nature. My TV is a year-old Sony Bravia LED HDTV. (If you're asking why I have a nice television but no cable, don't).

I'm content to buy something cheap, used, and outdated on eBay. I also don't want to pay a subscription fee.

What's the answer?

Edited by Paradigm, 09 January 2012 - 05:37 PM.

[InsideTheParker]

Magnavox (made by Funai) sells an HDD and DVD player/recorder with digital tuner. (MDR515H/F7). Got mine from Walmart. I easily recorded programs off HD antenna and SD satellite.I used it for Sox games, tuning in late without having to miss anything, but found that I actually preferred to start watching at 7 pm. Unfortunately, it died. It was still under warranty, so I got another one. Then, while we were trying to set up the replacement, it died, mysteriously. They graciously agreed to send us a third, which is still sitting in its box. I had finished getting onto DVDs everything I got it for (a PBS exercise show), so I gave it to my husband. For reasons I don't understand, he hasn't set it up yet.

Not a ringing endorsement, I know, but until the first one died, it was great!!!

[dirtynine]

If you have a decent computer lying around and you don't mind getting your hands a little dirty (tech-wise), you can do it for free.

Edited by dirtynine, 09 January 2012 - 06:50 PM.

[CallYaz]

I got the older Dish Network DTVPal but this newer device is exactly the same

http://news.cnet.com...20011472-1.html

And if you really want to geek out these guys have over 400 pages of discussion on the older and newer device.

http://www.avsforum....d.php?t=1099071


No monthly fees and awesome HD OTA recording. I did swap out my drive a year or so ago and now have an insane amount of space. Just seemed like a cheaper, easier solution that dealing with a PC.

[epraz]

I've used an Acer Aspire Revo for this purpose for the last 2 years. I bought a USB TV Tuner (~$20) and hooked the Revo up to my TV. It's got Windows 7 and Windows Media Center, which is fine DVR software. It also lets you watch any other internet video you want. The computer is not fast enough to do much heavy computing, but its chipsets are optimized for video, and I've never had anything but smooth HD.

[ean611]

Windows 7 Media center combined with an HDTV tuner (available from newegg, tons of choices) can act as a DVR.

Tons of data on how to do that, but it works extremely well, and everything you record is portable, as it's just a file on your computer that you can do whatever you want with.

[kneemoe]

Windows 7 Media center combined with an HDTV tuner (available from newegg, tons of choices) can act as a DVR.

Tons of data on how to do that, but it works extremely well, and everything you record is portable, as it's just a file on your computer that you can do whatever you want with.

This is what I use, WMC/W7 combined with a HDHomerun. The upside is you've got a full fledged HTPC, so netflix/hulu and god knows what else if you want it via things like ustream, justintv, etc. No subscriptions, and you can run it on relatively cheap hardware. I find it to be a great solution, all things considered.

[behindthepen]

I don't know what used Tivo's go for, but they work fine with antenna and an internet connection. I think some of them come with lifetime subscriptions too.

[Paradigm]

It looks like the best solution is to buy a Tivo with a lifetime subscription.