A DVR quandry

[Neptune]

I have been considering canceling my cable.  Besides waiting for the end of the final season of Battlestar Galactica, I've got a problem; my household relies on the Cox DVR.  I can live without it probably, but that's not to say anyone else can.

I've been digging around looking at DVRs, and it seems that getting around a subscription fee may be unlikely.  I'd like to try anyway.

What subscription-free options do I have for replacing the Cox DVR?

[nathanm]

quote:Originally posted by Neptune

I have been considering canceling my cable.  Besides waiting for the end of the final season of Battlestar Galactica, I've got a problem; my household relies on the Cox DVR.  I can live without it probably, but that's not to say anyone else can.

I've been digging around looking at DVRs, and it seems that getting around a subscription fee may be unlikely.  I'd like to try anyway.

What subscription-free options do I have for replacing the Cox DVR?

There's a sony you can buy on the used market. They quit selling it a couple years ago.

If you don't need HD, you could get a ReplayTV.

Otherwise you're looking at a Moxi (around $800) or a TiVo HD with lifetime service (around $600).

Alternatively, you could run some DVR software on a PC with a tuner like the HDHomeRun or whatever else. Most of those don't have subscription fees. You have to pay $20 a year to get guide data for MythTV now, though. I don't know about the others.

[sgrizzle]

I had a TiVo but the $15/mo fee made it pointless compared to renting a cox DVR.

[nathanm]

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

I had a TiVo but the $15/mo fee made it pointless compared to renting a cox DVR.

They're selling product lifetime service again.

Although you've always been able to pay around $8.33 a month if you're willing to go for a 3 year contract. (Or prepay for three years, which is better for resale value, of course)

And personally, I find it so far and away better than the Cox DVR, I'd be happy to pay more for TiVo than the Cox box costs. I just happen to also be saving money and getting a better box.

If the Cox boxes could even record reliably for me, much less share shows between boxes, have an upgradable hard drive, transfer shows to a PC or portable device, or any of the other things that TiVos do, I'd find them much more compelling and might consider them if, say, a lightning strike rendered me TiVoless.

The Uverse DVR was almost there for the basic functionality, but was still lacking in some ways.

[Steve]

This discussion is a perfect example of how technology has not only made life more complicated, but an expensive drain on the pocketbook.

Remember the good old days when you could pop in a blank VHS tape, program your VCR, and watch it at your convenience?  Without any ongoing financial committment or mothly fees?  Sure, VHS could only record one program at a time in analog quality, but are these "improvements" really worth the costs?

That is why I contine to rely on free broadcast (now digital) TV, and still use my old VCR when I choose to record a show.  The hassle and never ending flow of money to cable/satellite DVR ad naseum just ain't worth it to me.  All this worrying about DVR, Uverse, HDTV, etc. only illustrates to me that it is true, a "fool and his money are soon parted."

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by Steve

This discussion is a perfect example of how technology has not only made life more complicated, but an expensive drain on the pocketbook.

Remember the good old days when you could pop in a blank VHS tape, program your VCR, and watch it at your convenience?  Without any ongoing financial committment or mothly fees?  Sure, VHS could only record one program at a time in analog quality, but are these "improvements" really worth the costs?

That is why I contine to rely on free broadcast (now digital) TV, and still use my old VCR when I choose to record a show.  The hassle and never ending flow of money to cable/satellite DVR ad naseum just ain't worth it to me.  All this worrying about DVR, Uverse, HDTV, etc. only illustrates to me that it is true, a "fool and his money are soon parted."

*YAWN*

[Neptune]

My feeling is, anything that is a colossal waste of time, is probably a colossal of money.  Especially if you're paying for it.

That being said, I've indulged in wasting both time and money.  I've reflected on these issues for years, and have not come to a conclusion.

[sgrizzle]

quote:Originally posted by Steve



What the f*ck is your point?  If a horse and buggy is suitable transport for any family, who are you or anyone to critize or satirize?  My objective is that one not need give into the hype of this market, that there are free alternatives out there for TV viewing and reception, and one not need commit to endless cable/satellite/ bills for home entertainment when there is a free alternative available.

My point is that you butt into every conversation about something that uses electricity and tell people they are idiots for spending money on it. Cell phones, DVR's, etc.

There are free LIMITED alternatives out there. This thread is about different types of DVR's but your response is akin to telling someone they're an idiot for not riding a horse and buggy when someone asks which model sedan they should buy. If neptune wants to spend a monthly fee on a DVR, cable, etc or he wants to build a homemade DVR solution, that is his money and his business, don't crap on him for it.

[TUalum0982]

quote:Originally posted by Steve

This discussion is a perfect example of how technology has not only made life more complicated, but an expensive drain on the pocketbook.

Remember the good old days when you could pop in a blank VHS tape, program your VCR, and watch it at your convenience?  Without any ongoing financial committment or mothly fees?  Sure, VHS could only record one program at a time in analog quality, but are these "improvements" really worth the costs?

That is why I contine to rely on free broadcast (now digital) TV, and still use my old VCR when I choose to record a show.  The hassle and never ending flow of money to cable/satellite DVR ad naseum just ain't worth it to me.  All this worrying about DVR, Uverse, HDTV, etc. only illustrates to me that it is true, a "fool and his money are soon parted."

I assumed the money you saved while calculating the per unit price at Reasor's could afford you one of these nice pieces of equipment!

[sauerkraut]

quote:Originally posted by Steve

This discussion is a perfect example of how technology has not only made life more complicated, but an expensive drain on the pocketbook.

Remember the good old days when you could pop in a blank VHS tape, program your VCR, and watch it at your convenience?  Without any ongoing financial committment or mothly fees?  Sure, VHS could only record one program at a time in analog quality, but are these "improvements" really worth the costs?

That is why I contine to rely on free broadcast (now digital) TV, and still use my old VCR when I choose to record a show.  The hassle and never ending flow of money to cable/satellite DVR ad naseum just ain't worth it to me.  All this worrying about DVR, Uverse, HDTV, etc. only illustrates to me that it is true, a "fool and his money are soon parted."

I agree, and digital is more complex than analog. It won't be long until Blu-Ray DVD is outdated and people will have to start their movie collections all over with something that is "better" and costs much more. Laser TV is on the way making plasma TV outdated. Then there's going to be 3-D TV. It won't be long till DVR's are old and out of date. I don't watch TV much anyhow and I'm happy with my analog TV & analog VCR. Analog Forever! [}:)][]

[Townsend]

quote:Originally posted by sauerkraut
It won't be long until Blu-Ray DVD is outdated  

You mean there will be progression?  Yes, there will be progression.  

[patric]

Hope this whets your appetite:

"The latest DirecTiVo units (HR10-250) can also record HDTV to a 250GB hard drive, both from the DirecTV stream and over-the-air via a standard UHF- or VHF-capable antenna. They have four tuners (two DirecTV and two ATSC digital over-the-air) and, like the original DirecTiVo, can record two programs at once; further, the program guide is integrated between over-the-air and DirecTV so that all programs can be recorded and viewed in the same manner. Recording capacity is variable, up to 30 HD or 200 SD hours."

[Nick Danger]

quote:Originally posted by nathanm

quote:Originally posted by sgrizzle

I had a TiVo but the $15/mo fee made it pointless compared to renting a cox DVR.

They're selling product lifetime service again.

I got real excited about this, as our 3-year contract is set to expire soon. So I checked the Tivo site, but couldn't find anything about it. Got any additional info??

[Conan71]

At the risk of having a horse and buggy stapled to my forehead, I can't remember the last time I recorded a program on my VCR or any other medium.

I bought my mom a DVR and three year TiVo subscription for Xmas two or three years ago, but I still don't have one myself.  I can barely figure out how to play a DVD on my home theater system I got last TV upgrade.  I needed to replace my old CRT TV about five months ago and bought a plasma as the prices are finally to a point I felt it was worth it.

Even anachronisms like me are being slowly converted.

[Nick Danger]

quote:Originally posted by Conan71

At the risk of having a horse and buggy stapled to my forehead, I can't remember the last time I recorded a program on my VCR or any other medium.

I bought my mom a DVR and three year TiVo subscription for Xmas two or three years ago, but I still don't have one myself.  I can barely figure out how to play a DVD on my home theater system I got last TV upgrade.  I needed to replace my old CRT TV about five months ago and bought a plasma as the prices are finally to a point I felt it was worth it.

Even anachronisms like me are being slowly converted.

Our DVD player is much more complicated to me than the Tivo. And of course, I quickly become hooked on watching a program when I wanted to, in 2/3 the time because you can zap through all the commercials.

I did some more searching and finally found the Lifetime Service offering for $399. I guess these units are pretty durable. I have a friend that has one of the original boxes and it is still working fine.