DVR without Tivo, basically a VCR replacement with no montly fees

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: bob4432
cable...

We also have cable (analog) it looks fine on my LCD, good reception.

I'm using an older Hauppauge WintTV-PVR-250 with hardware decoding.

 

[bob4432]

so are the Hauppauge cards a lot better than the kworld ones?

also, this machine will not have a internet connection for some time, will that mess up the recording software? or can i still tell it to record channel 10 @ 5PM til 7PM on mon-fri?

 

[oogabooga]

Originally posted by: RossMAN


I'm using an older Hauppauge WintTV-PVR-250 with hardware decoding.

i have that exact same card.. i hope you mean 'older' generation... and not that the card is old i only got it a couple months ago.. oh.. oops it is old.

 

[Staples]

Originally posted by: bob4432
is there anything that is basically a vcr but instead of a tape it uses a hdd? no subscriptions at all?

Either this

Toshiba SDH-400

Or nothing. The only other thing is a media center PC.

The term DVR is pretty ubiquitus (sp) but they all require monthly fees.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: Staples

Originally posted by: bob4432
is there anything that is basically a vcr but instead of a tape it uses a hdd? no subscriptions at all?

Either this

Toshiba SDH-400

Or nothing. The only other thing is a media center PC.

The term DVR is pretty ubiquitus (sp) but they all require monthly fees.

d@mn, maybe i will look for a cheap, used Hauppauge pvr-150 card..... as i will, in the next week or so have a spare 1GHz Athlon laying around

 

[Kelemvor]

http://www.sagetv.com

Just stick it on a computer with a capture card and away you go. I use it as a fancy VCR and it works great. Can get a package deal over at http://www.pcalchemy.com for a card and software....

http://www.pcalchemy.com/product_info.p...sCsid=65d2a2a724629691f5174a40cb1775e4
$140 for a 150 MCE card, SageTV license, remote, etc.

 

[ravana]

What's the upgradeability on the Toshiba DVR's HDD?

 

[mercanucaribe]

I think it's funny that people are saying to buy a hardware card but not posting any.

 

[rh71]

First, thanks for starting this thread - I've been meaning to ask the same thing.

I'm looking at the Hauppauge wintvPVR-150 and I can get it from ebay for cheaper. But apparently there's no "BeyondTV license" that comes with it. Descriptions do mention "WinTV-Scheduler"... is this a sufficient substitute ? I'm just replacing my VCR basically... just record onto the HDD instead. Don't need fancy scheduling days ahead or searches.

Or is there any other way to acquire the BeyondTV license free ?

XP Pro will work right ? No need for Media Center Edition ?

 

[isekii]

Originally posted by: rh71
First, thanks for starting this thread - I've been meaning to ask the same thing.

I'm looking at the Hauppauge wintvPVR-150 and I can get it from ebay for cheaper. But apparently there's no "BeyondTV license" that comes with it. Descriptions do mention "WinTV-Scheduler"... is this a sufficient substitute ? I'm just replacing my VCR basically... just record onto the HDD instead. Don't need fancy scheduling days ahead or searches.

Or is there any other way to acquire the BeyondTV license free ?

The only way to get it free is with the offer they have with rossman's link to it.

Diamond has something similar but it's only a 60 day trial and it's about the same price as what rossman linked.

 

[rh71]

Originally posted by: isekii

Originally posted by: rh71
First, thanks for starting this thread - I've been meaning to ask the same thing.

I'm looking at the Hauppauge wintvPVR-150 and I can get it from ebay for cheaper. But apparently there's no "BeyondTV license" that comes with it. Descriptions do mention "WinTV-Scheduler"... is this a sufficient substitute ? I'm just replacing my VCR basically... just record onto the HDD instead. Don't need fancy scheduling days ahead or searches.

Or is there any other way to acquire the BeyondTV license free ?

The only way to get it free is with the offer they have with rossman's link to it.

Diamond has something similar but it's only a 60 day trial and it's about the same price as what rossman linked.

know anything about this wintv scheduler ? I really just need anything basic. I don't want to have a card but not be able to tell it what to record.... is all...

 

[MagicConch]

You may be able to get a used Tivo with a lifetime subscription included.

 

[kurt454]

Originally posted by: mercanucaribe
I think it's funny that people are saying to buy a hardware card but not posting any.

Hauppauge pvr-150, pvr-250, pvr-500, ATI ehome wonder, are all hardware encoding cards.

 

[focusdchaos]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: bob4432
is there anything that is basically a vcr but instead of a tape it uses a hdd? no subscriptions at all?

Yes Toshiba SD-H400 and original ReplayTV 3060 (free lifetime subscription).

What's your price range? I'm thinking about selling my ReplayTV 3060 with NO MONTHLY FEES!

How much for the 3060?

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: focusdchaos

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: bob4432
is there anything that is basically a vcr but instead of a tape it uses a hdd? no subscriptions at all?

Yes Toshiba SD-H400 and original ReplayTV 3060 (free lifetime subscription).

What's your price range? I'm thinking about selling my ReplayTV 3060 with NO MONTHLY FEES!

How much for the 3060?

I dunno, it would be a bitch for me to package and ship since I don't have the original box.

 

[Parrotheader]

I've got a Hauppauge PVR-150 and previously had mine setup to run with GBPVR, a freeware DVR program. GBPVR even has a 'season pass' like feature which was pretty nice for a freeware program. Unfortunately I'm in the process of rebuilding that system so it's not up and running at the moment. Definitely a good 'cheap' solution though as it didn't require paying for software from Snapstream or Sage (both of which are good products though.)

The monthly fees are what keep me from personally jumping over to Tivo. I've got a Dish PVR-508, the last Dish PVR to come WITHOUT an ongoing fee requirement and love it. I'd love to have Tivo's Season Pass functionality, but I can live without it since I'd rather not pay Tivo's non-Directv customer fees.

 

[Parrotheader]

Originally posted by: geckojohn
Costco has a dvr right now that records to a hard drive and DVD-r discs.. Has anyone tried this?

Would you be referring to the Toshiba RD-XS34? Product link from Costco's site.

If so, that does seem pretty cool and there are a few similar products on the market (more of them now seem to be touting the ability to pause/rewind live TV too instead of just programed recordings.) But at $429, so much for an inexpensive DVR alternative eh? I guess that's a bargain compared to similar products that usually start around $600+.

 

[bob4432]

Originally posted by: Parrotheader
I've got a Hauppauge PVR-150 and previously had mine setup to run with GBPVR, a freeware DVR program. GBPVR even has a 'season pass' like feature which was pretty nice for a freeware program. Unfortunately I'm in the process of rebuilding that system so it's not up and running at the moment. Definitely a good 'cheap' solution though as it didn't require paying for software from Snapstream or Sage (both of which are good products though.)

The monthly fees are what keep me from personally jumping over to Tivo. I've got a Dish PVR-508, the last Dish PVR to come WITHOUT an ongoing fee requirement and love it. I'd love to have Tivo's Season Pass functionality, but I can live without it since I'd rather not pay Tivo's non-Directv customer fees.

parrotheader - what did you use to control it with? i think i have some type of ir device that looks similiar to the ir blaster item on the snapstream website - here

were you using a tv or monitor? if tv was it a regular tv or hd?

 

[huesmann]

HTPC.

 

[nitsuj3580]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Toshiba SD-H400 with FREE TIVO BASIC

What's the difference between Tivo Basic and Tivo Plus?
http://customersupport.tivo.com/knowbase/root/public/tv1199.htm

spend the money and get this one. I have it as well and love it!

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Toshiba SD-H400 with FREE TIVO BASIC

What's the difference between Tivo Basic and Tivo Plus?
http://customersupport.tivo.com/knowbase/root/public/tv1199.htm

:thumbsup: I own this- it rox!

 

[RossMAN]

I was considering selling my Toshiba SD-H400 but now I might keep it.

 

[jiggahertz]

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Toshiba SD-H400 with FREE TIVO BASIC

What's the difference between Tivo Basic and Tivo Plus?
http://customersupport.tivo.com/knowbase/root/public/tv1199.htm

:thumbsup: I own this- it rox!

Some reviews mentions there is no 30 second commercial advance and you can't watch tv while recording. Can any owners comment how much of an inconvience these are?

 

[Staples]

It is true but there are three speeds to FF and the motion is fluid enough to tell what the hell is going on on screen. You will get used to clicking foward three times, letting it sit for 3 seconds and then slowing it down so you will not overjump the start. If so, there is a handy quick 8 second rewind button. It is very useful.

 

[Fritzo]

Originally posted by: jiggahertz

Originally posted by: Fritzo

Originally posted by: RossMAN
Toshiba SD-H400 with FREE TIVO BASIC

What's the difference between Tivo Basic and Tivo Plus?
http://customersupport.tivo.com/knowbase/root/public/tv1199.htm

:thumbsup: I own this- it rox!

Some reviews mentions there is no 30 second commercial advance and you can't watch tv while recording. Can any owners comment how much of an inconvience these are?

Press FF three times- commercial go past in about 10 seconds.

Like any recording device, unless your TV has two tuners, you can't record one show while watching another. TIVO records shows you want to watch though, so if you're watching TV, you're most likely watching the show it's recording anyway.