HD DVR options?

[Edge1]

What do you use for HD DVR options if any? I'll be a Comcast customer for the first time due to a move. Was surprised that their HD-DVR was something like $25/mo for one and a second for $19/mo or something like that.

Coming from DISH Network, I was able to use 1 DVR for 2 TVs (not a HD device).

I'm tempted to go TiVo or something else if another option exists. Curious what you guys use. I know PCs can be used, but I'm not sure about that one in our case.

 

[nsafreak]

Depends on your preference and how much you're willing to spend up front. I'll tell you right now that unless Comcast has made some vast improvements in the HD DVR they give out customers (for me it was the Motorola DCH-3412) you'll be pretty disappointed in it. You do have options though:

Option 1

Build a HTPC with a CableCARD (M card specifically) TV tuner for recording purposes. The tuners aren't cheap and right now the only option is from ATi. There are other cards coming out in a couple months from SiliconDust and others, haven't seen an announced price yet though. This will be a pretty high upfront cost though to build unless you have spare parts lying around.

Option 2

Buy a prebuilt DVR such as a Moxi HD DVR or a Tivo HD DVR. The main advantage of a Moxi is that while it's not cheap upfront it doesn't have a monthly subscription fee. However some folks may prefer the Tivo interface. I haven't personally used either (currently use a Dish 722k DVR) but they're both worth looking into.

Option 3

Rent a Comcast box. This would be the lower upfront cost but it would add a good bit to your bill. I'd recommend going to your local Comcast office to see just what HD DVR options are available. At the least you'll know what is available and then look at reviews

 

[Edge1]

Thanks nsafreak. Good to get the insight on the Comcast DVRs. A BIG part of me does not want to give them any more on their monthly bill than I can. I do build PCs (mostly gaming), so an HTPC would be a fun, new approach for me. I will check out the ATI cards for what you referenced. There is a lot of benefit to an HTPC beyond DVRing so I do need to seriously consider it. And man, do I have a lot of spare parts laying around.

The Moxi or Tivo options sound preferable to Comcast at this point also.

 

[vi edit]

That price can't be right. I only pay $88 a month for HD Cable & Internet from Comcast. That's about $44 for the high speed internet and $44 for the TV part.

$25 of that TV part isn't from the use of the HD-DVR. It's like $6 to rent one.

 

[nsafreak]

That price can't be right. I only pay $88 a month for HD Cable & Internet from Comcast. That's about $44 for the high speed internet and $44 for the TV part.

$25 of that TV part isn't from the use of the HD-DVR. It's like $6 to rent one.

It varies from area to area it seems vi, although I'm not quite sure why. In my area for example it ran $15 a month to rent a HD DVR. I'm guessing it's still in that ballpark for the op though.

 

[acaoacao]

If you are looking for multi-room solutions, you should look into the Moxi since they released a new update that allows for live streaming between Moxi and the Moxi Mates.

 

[Edge1]

That price can't be right. I only pay $88 a month for HD Cable & Internet from Comcast. That's about $44 for the high speed internet and $44 for the TV part.

$25 of that TV part isn't from the use of the HD-DVR. It's like $6 to rent one.

It seemed outrageous to me. I better check my notes again (left them at work).

 

[Edge1]

If you are looking for multi-room solutions, you should look into the Moxi since they released a new update that allows for live streaming between Moxi and the Moxi Mates.

I'm intrigued. With Dish, we have one DVR which can record 2 different TVs, and the recorded programs can be played on either TV. That is ideal as we will want to record and watch DVRed TV from the bedroom TV and the Family Room TV. Sounds like the Moxi may even be able to help me with the basement should I want to go there. Must look into that.

 

[Sureshot324]

Build a HTPC with a CableCARD (M card specifically) TV tuner for recording purposes. The tuners aren't cheap and right now the only option is from ATi. There are other cards coming out in a couple months from SiliconDust and others, haven't seen an announced price yet though. This will be a pretty high upfront cost though to build unless you have spare parts lying around.

Can a cableCARD tuner fully replace a comcast cable box? Does it have any kind of DRM to stop you from making copies of what you recorded?

 

[nsafreak]

Can a cableCARD tuner fully replace a comcast cable box? Does it have any kind of DRM to stop you from making copies of what you recorded?

TBH I'm not sure if it has DRM to stop you from making copies or not. I know that digital cable can have 5C encryption for copy protection but I don't know if that's initiated by a CableCARD or not. I suppose it's possible but I don't know if Comcast implements it on CableCARDs or not.

 

[Edge1]

That price can't be right. I only pay $88 a month for HD Cable & Internet from Comcast. That's about $44 for the high speed internet and $44 for the TV part.

$25 of that TV part isn't from the use of the HD-DVR. It's like $6 to rent one.

vi edit, it looks like the first HD-DVR is $9.95, and getting a second one will run you $25.00.

I ordered the service for the new house, going with just 1 DVR . They have a multi-room solution in the beta phase now with no exact timetable for its release. DISH has them beat with regards to this and they know it, so it appears to be a priority.

Having said all this, if the Comcast DVR is problematic I will attempt to pursue another option.

 

[somethingsketchy]

TBH I'm not sure if it has DRM to stop you from making copies or not. I know that digital cable can have 5C encryption for copy protection but I don't know if that's initiated by a CableCARD or not. I suppose it's possible but I don't know if Comcast implements it on CableCARDs or not.

Yeah, while I couldn't find what kind of DRM standard/solution is used for CableCARDs, there would have to be DRM/copyright protection on the hardware to prevent distribution of copyright material *read: the Super Bowl for example*. Most broadcast companies and other entertainment industries such as the NFL, would piss and moan, if such devices had no protection

 

[Modelworks]

Be careful with satellite companies. They look good in the ads but both of them direct and dish are only quoting promotional rates. After that first 12 months they hit you with a steep increase and you cannot cancel because in order to get service you have to sign a 2 year or longer contract.

Directv $55 for HD DVR + all the channels except premium and sports for 12 months. It goes to $85 after the promotion.

Dish $58 for same package for 12 months, then $77

You are also subject to price increases while under contract, they both made sure to add lines like customer cannot cancel contract due to market conditions.
If you have cable and they rent dvr for $10 a month that is a way better deal than any htpc setup or using something else and no contract involved. Consider it would take paying comcast for about 3 years the monthly rental fee before you would break even with using another solution.

 

[nsafreak]

Be careful with satellite companies. They look good in the ads but both of them direct and dish are only quoting promotional rates. After that first 12 months they hit you with a steep increase and you cannot cancel because in order to get service you have to sign a 2 year or longer contract.

Directv $55 for HD DVR + all the channels except premium and sports for 12 months. It goes to $85 after the promotion.

Dish $58 for same package for 12 months, then $77

You are also subject to price increases while under contract, they both made sure to add lines like customer cannot cancel contract due to market conditions.
If you have cable and they rent dvr for $10 a month that is a way better deal than any htpc setup or using something else and no contract involved. Consider it would take paying comcast for about 3 years the monthly rental fee before you would break even with using another solution.

This is true for the most part however if I was to go back to Comcast for TV (still use the them for internet) I would not go with one of their HD DVR units even if I do have to pay a higher upfront cost to go with a Moxi box or a homebuilt HTPC. The main reason being that for a power DVR user like myself the current Comcast units stink. The largest hard drive that they had in the units available in my area was 120GB which is a joke for recording HD content with no way of even adding external hard drives. The interface looks like it's from the late 1990s, oh I could go on and on. For very basic DVR usage they aren't bad, but for folks that have gotten used to nicer HD DVR units its quite a step down.