DVR question

[Orange Julia]

I know I have asked before but figured the technology may have changed, but I would like to get my parents a DVR but the ones that Comcast offers are not only expensive, but you have to pay a DVR fee  on top of renting the box, or some such bullshit. is there a way to get them a DVR (like a harddrive for their tv) that isn't attached to comcast? Are they totally out of luck if they have Comcast?  Note that they do not have a smart tv by any stretch of the imagination.
 
If so, is there a way to make their computer into a media center that tapes shows? I used to have a great HP Media center that I used as my TV since the cable ran right to it. Is that still possible?
 
Thanks.

 

[Corsi]

https://www.tivo.com/discover/cable

 

[TheRooster]

doesn't Tivo charge a monthly fee?  they always did, except for the lifetime option that I thought they eliminated

 

[Corsi]

doesn't Tivo charge a monthly fee?  they always did, except for the lifetime option that I thought they eliminated

 
Doh, I honestly never knew that.  Thought you only paid for hardware.

 

[SumnerH]

If so, is there a way to make their computer into a media center that tapes shows? I used to have a great HP Media center that I used as my TV since the cable ran right to it. Is that still possible?

Kodi (nee XBMC), Windows Media Center, and MythTV will all do this, but setup is finicky especially if you need CableCard support (which you probably do). Comcast provides the 1st Cablecard at no cost, there's a moderate fee if you need multiples but they kick back some money if you don't need the additional cable company boxes so it's basically a wash depending on your plan.

You generally do need a cable company box to watch Pay-per-view and On Demand, since those need 2-way communication.

Hauppage sells no-monthly-fee PVRs that are easier to setup than spinning up your own media center. I've not used them, but they're generally well-regarded. e.g. http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_dcr2650.html or browse their site for other options.

 

[Orange Julia]

They have a cable box, and they pay extra for HBO but the last time I tried to get them a cable box/dvr it was so cost prohibitive that i was SHOCKED! it was something like an additional $35 (may have been more) a month for ONE dvr on one tv.  They are in CT in the sticks so they don't have any other kind of cable tv options. And yes TiVO does require a monthly fee. Do people still have TiVO?

 

[Corsi]

You may want to check the price again.  I pay $8/month for my Comcast HD/DVR service.

 

[InsideTheParker]

Hi OJ, this is the one we have, I guess it's still available, if only on ebay: http://www.ebay.com/itm/New-Magnavox-DVD-Player-Recorder-with-500GB-HDD-and-Digital-Tuner-MDR515H-/201232906649 This works with no recurring fees, but you are limited to recording one program at a time, I believe.

 

[bohous]

I know I have asked before but figured the technology may have changed, but I would like to get my parents a DVR but the ones that Comcast offers are not only expensive, but you have to pay a DVR fee  on top of renting the box, or some such bullshit. is there a way to get them a DVR (like a harddrive for their tv) that isn't attached to comcast? Are they totally out of luck if they have Comcast?  Note that they do not have a smart tv by any stretch of the imagination.
 
If so, is there a way to make their computer into a media center that tapes shows? I used to have a great HP Media center that I used as my TV since the cable ran right to it. Is that still possible?
 
Thanks.

 
 
I know this can vary from region to region but I would second Corsi's advice and double check this with Comcast. There shouldn't be any additional fee on top of simply upgrading the box at a higher rental fee. Our X1 box is like $12/mo or something. 
 
Also, if you go with a TiVo or another non-Comcast option your parents may still be on the hook to continue renting their current box anyway if it was included with whatever plan they originally signed up for. 

 

[Red Sox Physicist]

Kodi (nee XBMC), Windows Media Center, and MythTV will all do this, but setup is finicky especially if you need CableCard support (which you probably do). Comcast provides the 1st Cablecard at no cost, there's a moderate fee if you need multiples but they kick back some money if you don't need the additional cable company boxes so it's basically a wash depending on your plan.

You generally do need a cable company box to watch Pay-per-view and On Demand, since those need 2-way communication.

Hauppage sells no-monthly-fee PVRs that are easier to setup than spinning up your own media center. I've not used them, but they're generally well-regarded. e.g. http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_dcr2650.html or browse their site for other options.

For Cablecard, you can also do the Silicondust HDHomerun PRIME: http://www.silicondust.com/products/hdhomerun/prime/ . Ceton also makes them: http://cetoncorp.com/products/infinitv/ . The HDHomerun PRIME has 3 tuners for one Cablecard.
 
I use a Silicondust HDHomerun PRIME with a MythTV backend and Kodi for the frontend. I can record every channel except HBO using this setup with Verizon FIOS. HBO makes them enforce copy protection which requires the software to be certified by Cablelabs. Windows Media Center is certified and will record HBO but doesn't allow copying the recording to other machines. It can be fairly complicated to set this up and get the Cablecard activated properly. I had to go through a few layers of Verizon support to finally get the thing properly activated and validated.

 

[Orange Julia]

I have no idea why it was so cost prohibitive when I investigated it the first time (maybe a year ago) but I will give it another try with them when I'm home at Christmas. Thanks for all the advice.

 

[djhb20]

Also just say something to the cable rep like - we just got this great offer from Directv offering "blah blah blah free DVR service but we'd rather not switch if we don't have to" and almost certainly you'll get free DVR service offered to you.

A fairly high percentage of cable customers get free DVR service and this is how.

 

[Orange Julia]

I think the problem with that strategy is that they live in the the sticks in CT and I don't think there is any other cable type company that offers service to them except Comcast.

 

[HriniakPosterChild]

I think the problem with that strategy is that they live in the the sticks in CT and I don't think there is any other cable type company that offers service to them except Comcast.

Do they have a view of the southern sky? DirecTV is your negotiating threat if they do not, your alternative if they do. I've had DirecTV for almost 10 years and would be relucant to switch.

 

[Red Sox Physicist]

For Cablecard, you can also do the Silicondust HDHomerun PRIME: http://www.silicondust.com/products/hdhomerun/prime/ . Ceton also makes them: http://cetoncorp.com/products/infinitv/ . The HDHomerun PRIME has 3 tuners for one Cablecard.
 
I use a Silicondust HDHomerun PRIME with a MythTV backend and Kodi for the frontend. I can record every channel except HBO using this setup with Verizon FIOS. HBO makes them enforce copy protection which requires the software to be certified by Cablelabs. Windows Media Center is certified and will record HBO but doesn't allow copying the recording to other machines. It can be fairly complicated to set this up and get the Cablecard activated properly. I had to go through a few layers of Verizon support to finally get the thing properly activated and validated.

 
Newegg and Amazon has the Silicon HDHomeRun Prime on sale for $80 right now for anyone looking to setup a PVR.

 

[djhb20]

I think the problem with that strategy is that they live in the the sticks in CT and I don't think there is any other cable type company that offers service to them except Comcast.

If they could threaten Verizon, that'd be even better, but threatening to go to DirecTV is always a good idea too.