DVR info...

[Volt]

Any DVR gurus out there? What I am looking for is a modern day replacement to the VCR. No services, no fees, etc. Just some device to record a show so I can view it later. Any recommendations? Thanks.

[AD720]

Originally Posted by Volt

Any DVR gurus out there? What I am looking for is a modern day replacement to the VCR. No services, no fees, etc. Just some device to record a show so I can view it later. Any recommendations? Thanks.

Just a straight up DVD recorder would do the trick. That is pretty much the modern day VCR. The only fees would be paying for the blank media.

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage....=1199496320397


You can do better on a price, that is just the first link that came up.

[Volt]

Hmmm, I thought the recorded to a hd... Not sure what I would do with all the dvd's I'd be creating.

[taltos]

Originally Posted by Volt

Hmmm, I thought the recorded to a hd... Not sure what I would do with all the dvd's I'd be creating.

Get some of the re-recordable blank media. It would then function as a blank vcr tape. I still use my vcr's, still work, why change.

[ResIpsa]

There are plenty of dvr's out there to choose from, you have to keep in mind that the providers (Dish network, Directtv,Tivo, etc) subsidize the cost so that if you sign up for the service you can get the recorder for free.

If you don't want the service, the dvr's will run you 2-300 but there are loads to choose from.

[AD720]

The dvd recorders with hard drives built in are getting hard to come by.

You can try to find a "lifetime" Tivo (which is one that was bought with the lifetime subscription) or an older ReplayTV which was made by Panasonic and did not have a monthly fee but was substantally more expensive than it's monthly-fee-subsidized counterparts. .

[AD720]

Originally Posted by ResIpsa

There are plenty of dvr's out there to choose from, you have to keep in mind that the providers (Dish network, Directtv,Tivo, etc) subsidize the cost so that if you sign up for the service you can get the recorder for free.

If you don't want the service, the dvr's will run you 2-300 but there are loads to choose from.

Good point there.

Volt -

How do you get your programming? Cable, Satellite, Over-The-Air?

[boonedoggle]

yeah, most HDD recorders have a multi DVD recording format, so you can choose either or. This one is pretty good:

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/c/produc...rder_with.html

[Hammerhead]

Originally Posted by Volt

Any DVR gurus out there? What I am looking for is a modern day replacement to the VCR. No services, no fees, etc. Just some device to record a show so I can view it later. Any recommendations? Thanks.

Have you considered a TV tuner card for your PC? I've been using an ATI All-In-Wonder card to record broadcasts for years, now. They now have support for cable card technology, so that if you were to buy their HDTV Wonder card, you can get a card from the local cable company that will enable you to tune scrambled broadcasts (like HBO, ShowTime etc) and record directly to your drive.

I like the option to be able to record something, edit out the commercials and archive it for later viewing. It's a great solution for me, though I recognize it's a bit 'cumbersome' for average recreational use at home.

[jdbwolverines]

I use a tv tuner on my computer for recording tv now. You can get pretty decent ones for around $50 these days and some are as simple as plugging in a usb stick with a coax cable hooked up. The shows then record to your hard drive, which you can then burn to dvds if you want to watch them on a regular tv instead of on the computer.

[Volt]

Cable... I don't want or need a service as it's just not something I need. I guess I can do the media if need be. Secondly, some service attached to me house monitoring what I watch, not so much. Even if I am 46 watching Bugs Bunny.

Originally Posted by AD720

Good point there.

Volt -

How do you get your programming? Cable, Satellite, Over-The-Air?

[rack04]

Originally Posted by Hammerhead

Have you considered a TV tuner card for your PC? I've been using an ATI All-In-Wonder card to record broadcasts for years, now. They now have support for cable card technology, so that if you were to buy their HDTV Wonder card, you can get a card from the local cable company that will enable you to tune scrambled broadcasts (like HBO, ShowTime etc) and record directly to your drive.

I like the option to be able to record something, edit out the commercials and archive it for later viewing. It's a great solution for me, though I recognize it's a bit 'cumbersome' for average recreational use at home.

I too thought this was a great solution. Now that I've moved to Dallas and about 60 miles from broadcast antennas my ATI HD Wonder is useless.

[AD720]

Originally Posted by rack04

I too thought this was a great solution. Now that I've moved to Dallas and about 60 miles from broadcast antennas my ATI HD Wonder is useless.

It doesn't do in the clear QAM?

[AD720]

Originally Posted by Volt

Cable... I don't want or need a service as it's just not something I need. I guess I can do the media if need be. Secondly, some service attached to me house monitoring what I watch, not so much. Even if I am 46 watching Bugs Bunny.

Understood. I'd go with the DVD-burner. It is the closest to VCR that you can get. Storing DVD's takes up a lot less space than storing VHS tapes anyway.

[Wattsie]

I use cable and I pay a little extra for DVR. My wife and I will watch some shoes togheter, and I have no patience and dont like the time they're on so I DVR to speed through commercials. If you consider a $200 - 300 machine that I rent for ~$5 a month, that works out to 5 years. THat's more than the warranty would be, and I can always upgrade when new equipment/technology comes out.