Alterative to Tivo?

[JTsyo]

Is there anything other than Tivo that records to a HDD? I know that you can setup a computer to do it but it seems like there should be a box set that would. It wouldn't need to interact with TV listings, just record at a certain time. Just the way VCRs used to. Verzion charges $20 a month for a DVR and that seems a bit excessive.

 

[krotchy]

Some DVD recorders have internal hard drives. They were getting big a few years ago then kinda fell the wayside when Tivo smacked em down, since recording TV to DVD's was always more of a hassle than it was worth.

Also most cable/satellite companies have DVR's you can rent for 5 dollars a month or so.

 

[Genx87]

3rd party units? I honestly dont know of any. It is either TiVo or your providers DVR. Or build an HTPC. For 20 bucks a month I'd get a TiVo. Well, I'd get a TiVo either way because I think they are better than what the providers offer and give you better options for storage(tivotogo).

 

[sdifox]

Software (and lots of drive space) is your answer. Look into BeyondTV. It has access to EPG (electronic program guide). IF you want free, look into linux system and mythtv.

 

[JTsyo]

Does Tivo still have the lifetime buy or do you have to pay monthly?

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: JTsyo
Does Tivo still have the lifetime buy or do you have to pay monthly?

I dont believe they have the lifetime buy anymore. When I got my HD-TiVo they had an offer for 99 bucks the first year.

 

[Schadenfroh]

Originally posted by: JTsyo
Does Tivo still have the lifetime buy or do you have to pay monthly?

ended in early January 2008

FWIW, TiVo is good, much better than what Comcast offers in my area in regard to DVRs (they do not have an option for TiVo software on the Comcast / Motorola boxes in my area yet). Recently switched to a TiVo HD from a Motorola Comcast DVR and there is no comparison.

 

[GregGreen]

Originally posted by: Genx87
3rd party units? I honestly dont know of any. It is either TiVo or your providers DVR. Or build an HTPC. For 20 bucks a month I'd get a TiVo. Well, I'd get a TiVo either way because I think they are better than what the providers offer and give you better options for storage(tivotogo).

Although it may be a better interface and more stable than what the cable providers offer, I would be hesitant to buy a TiVO HD until there is actually a way to watch SDV channels (which is what the cable companies will be switching to in the next few years to add more channels and is not compatible with current versions of TiVO, although there is a rumor they are coming out with an addon box to do this).

 

[erwos]

Originally posted by: GregGreen
Although it may be a better interface and more stable than what the cable providers offer, I would be hesitant to buy a TiVO HD until there is actually a way to watch SDV channels (which is what the cable companies will be switching to in the next few years to add more channels and is not compatible with current versions of TiVO, although there is a rumor they are coming out with an addon box to do this).

I totally agree. This is a particularly bad time to get into the third-party HD DVR game. Windows Media Center is also running into the same issue with regards to CableCard support. Wait for multi-stream, bi-directional cablecards to become standardized before making any hardware purchases.

 

[Genx87]

Originally posted by: GregGreen

Originally posted by: Genx87
3rd party units? I honestly dont know of any. It is either TiVo or your providers DVR. Or build an HTPC. For 20 bucks a month I'd get a TiVo. Well, I'd get a TiVo either way because I think they are better than what the providers offer and give you better options for storage(tivotogo).

Although it may be a better interface and more stable than what the cable providers offer, I would be hesitant to buy a TiVO HD until there is actually a way to watch SDV channels (which is what the cable companies will be switching to in the next few years to add more channels and is not compatible with current versions of TiVO, although there is a rumor they are coming out with an addon box to do this).

What is SDV?

Edit: NM, switch digital video. A glance at it makes it sound like multiplxing but for video streams.

Edit: There appears to be a fix planned for 2nd qtr of 08. A dongle that should fix the issue. Guess it is time to wait and see how well it works out.

 

[Muadib]

You mention Verzion. Does that mean you have Fios tv?