Any better options for comcast DVRs?

[Argo]

I'm pretty unhappy with the default one, the UI sucks - it looks like something from 1990s. The only alternative that I came across is TiVo, but I don't want to pay monthly fee.

 

[boomhower]

Satellite? That's one of several reasons I left TWC. The DirecTV whole home DVR is crazy good. I've got the one right before Genie and from what I can tell is essentially the same thing. Five tuners in the DVR. Extra boxes around the house have their own tuner so you can still record up to five shows on the DVR while watching something else in the other rooms. Watching recordings from the other boxes is seamless with no stuttering or jumping, even fast forward and reverse is very smooth. I've never been this satisfied with a TV service. The fact it was cheaper was just icing on the cake.

 

[Argo]

Satellite? That's one of several reasons I left TWC. The DirecTV whole home DVR is crazy good. I've got the one right before Genie and from what I can tell is essentially the same thing. Five tuners in the DVR. Extra boxes around the house have their own tuner so you can still record up to five shows on the DVR while watching something else in the other rooms. Watching recordings from the other boxes is seamless with no stuttering or jumping, even fast forward and reverse is very smooth. I've never been this satisfied with a TV service. The fact it was cheaper was just icing on the cake.

I used to have directv before we moved, and their interface is light years ahead. Unfortunately, no line of sight of the satellite from our house

I read that comcast launched new "x1" interface recently, but I haven't gotten that yet. And according to reviews it's still pretty buggy.

 

[dagamer34]

CableCard + Windows Media Center.

 

[A5]

Tivo is the only alternative unless you want to start down the WMC/HTPC route. I tried to go with WMC + Xbox 360 Extender but it was too buggy to pass WAF, so I'm back to the crappy Comcast box.

 

[Aikouka]

CableCard + Windows Media Center.

That's what I started using last week, and once I got past the initial setup woes, it's been pretty smooth so far. I've never been very big on cable, but you should see me setting up all my recordings now! I need to see if they let you use WMP as an extender, which means I could view the content on my main desktop too!

 

[A5]

That's what I started using last week, and once I got past the initial setup woes, it's been pretty smooth so far. I've never been very big on cable, but you should see me setting up all my recordings now! I need to see if they let you use WMP as an extender, which means I could view the content on my main desktop too!

I don't think WMP can do it, but there is probably a way to do it if the other computer has WMC. I think the Remote Potato plug-in is what you want to look at.

 

[DefDC]

That's what I started using last week, and once I got past the initial setup woes, it's been pretty smooth so far. I've never been very big on cable, but you should see me setting up all my recordings now! I need to see if they let you use WMP as an extender, which means I could view the content on my main desktop too!

If your main desktop is Win7, just make sure your HTPC and desktop are members of the same homegroup. They should share libraries at that point. (Or just share the directories and add them to your desktop's media libraries.)

I watch all my stuff around assorted computers in my house.

I hate my Comcast DVR, so bought a SiliconDust HomeRun Prime. So far, it's been really nice. I just got done ripping about 20 movies from DVD and adding them to WMC. The WAF is growing.

My daughter has now turned 5 and I trust she won't destroy a nice TV, so I am FINALLY getting a HDTV. I am going to heavily try to get my wife to use WMC as the default viewing experience. I'd love to toss the Comcast DVR back to them.

Edit:
Remote Potato will certainly do the trick, but adding the libraries manually, or through the homegroup, will keep you in the WMC interface, and then you can keep the goodness of commerical skipping and a cheap WMC remote.

 

[Aikouka]

Yup, I ran across the Homegroup stuff last night, but unfortunately, I forgot the password! I made it awhile ago on my old PC, which was recommissioned into my downstairs HTPC. I'll have to switch it to the non-HTPC account to get the password, but I should be good to go!