Favorite DVR solution?

[airdata]

I use a FiOS HD-DVR. I use a PS3 to stream media to tv and Netflix.

My wife and I are very disappointed in the fios hd-dvr. The capacity is simply dismal. We had directv before and I really don't know the exact size difference, just that the fios box is capped @ 160gb. And it's $16/month.

We noticed it's lack of space just a few days after getting it. Ours is constantly at capacity which is annoying. Planning on getting a tivo series 3 or newer when I can w\ 1tb disk.

 

[Chapbass]

Tivo HD right here. As far as viewing on other TV's, I know that I used to be able to use tivotogo and move recorded things onto my pc, remove the DRM, and play them back streaming to whatever else in my house...been a long time since Ive done it though (have a projector hooked to the tivo, no reason to view it anywhere else )

Also: PS3 with ps3 media server on my storage machine for local streaming, also hooks to netflix for instant streaming.

 

[nageov3t]

TiVo. I don't know where you are getting your prices though.

fwiw, I bought my Tivo in August... I picked up a last-gen tivo off Amazon (because none of the differences between gens seemed to make up for the price increase for my usage) for $240 and 1 year of service for $140

I've never been able to bring myself to pull the trigger on a lifetime sub.

 

[s44]

You can get lifetime Tivo HDs for rather less on ebay. Some come pre-hacked with 1TB drives.

If you're the kind of guy who likes messing with stuff, the HTPC can work... if you can get your hands on a Ceton tuner. It's not really cheaper of course.

 

[joetekubi]

tivo
I messed around with an HTPC and Hulu, Boxee, always had limitations, program availability. Tivo "just works". Very happy with it.
I'm a bit surprised by the OP price quotes.
AFAIK, Tivo honors lifetime service for upgrades, and gives liberal trade in credit
for hardware upgrades.

 

[SlitheryDee]

I use an HTPC. I don't need a Ceton tuner because I only have cable, and netflix and hulu have everything I could possibly want with the notable exception of live sports. If it weren't for football season I wouldn't even have cable. The main problem is noise. There's a fan in my HTPC that makes an awful racket at random times when I start it up, and the general noise level of the PC is less than desirable. That's not too surprising considering I salvaged most of the parts from a gaming PC build. If I can let go of a little cash I'm sure I could make it inaudible from common watching distances. I wouldn't want to go with a Tivo because I've gotten attached to playing PC games on my HDTV ad the general flexibility that a true HTPC offers.

 

[simonizor]

Can't you just get the same thing? If your wife is very happy with it, and you don't have any problems with it, why change? Is it not produced anymore?

That being said, if you have home owners insurance or renters insurance, you should try to get them to cover the cost of it. I'm fairly sure that they will cover electronics that fail due to power outages.

 

[notposting]

First off, I thought what simonizor thought also--don't provoke the wife, just fix it

We use a 7MC setup currently.

Started with a VMC setup using dual PVR-150 cards and an old Sempron system with an X800 outputting to a 27" SD TV. Eventually transitioned to an HD setup on a 26" HDTV.

The current setup is:
7MC on an AMD setup. Athlon X2 4450e (45W part), with a Radeon 4350 (passive cooling). In a decent looking case (NZXT Duet) that most guests don't even realize is a computer, there are 2 120mm fans undervolted at 5V providing cooling, it's inaudible from more than a foot or two away. Have the MS Media Center keyboard and remote, only need the keyboard when fiddling with things, which isn't too often. It goes straight to MC so the wife never sees Windows. It's hooked into the new 32" TV.

Use the Silicondust HDHomerun for tuning via the network. We only have Limited Basic from Comcast so it's fine for that. We get FOX, NBC, ABC, CBS, PBS, ION, WGN, CW all in HD. Plus a few sub-channels and a couple locals as well.

Also use a Windows Home Server, have a MyMovies subscription and have been ripping DVD's and CD's to it. Nice to browse the collection from the couch Upstairs I have the old 26" wall mounted with a Linksys Media Extender, so we can watch TV or any of the movies off the server through it as well.

One beautiful perk of the decentralized setup is when something goes down you can keep things running pretty easy. Motherboard took a crap until I replaced the capacitors and I was able to swap the laptop in for a weekend with no one the wiser basically. For those who use pay cable if Silicondust ever releases their Cablecard setup it should be the shizzle.

There are other PC DVR solutions as well of course, Mythtv, GB-pvr, XBMC, Sagetv, etc. It definitely offers the freedom to do more, but someone has to maintain and keep it working. And it won't be your wife. So really, it's up to you Good luck with whatever you choose

 

[s44]

First off, I thought what simonizor thought also--don't provoke the wife, just fix it

It's SDTV! I'm just wondering what kind of set they were watching it on.