Simplest cheap DVR solution for parents

[Ken g6]

I've been trying to figure out a DVR solution for my parents for awhile, to get them off VCRs. The ASRock CoreHT 252B Review on the main page got me thinking about small, simple DVR solutions. I have gotten them a little used to DVD recording, with a dedicated DVD recorder. So I was thinking that maybe I can replace a VCR that's just used for temporarily recording a second show with a DVR.

Requirements:
- Receive and save ATSC TV.
- Self-contained, no internet connection required. (They keep threatening to go back to dial-up!)
- Timer recording (just like an old VCR, no electronic program guides.) Daily/weekly recording options.
- Playback to RCA or S-Video standard-def output so recorded shows can be transferred to the DVD recorder. (They know how to transfer.)
- All controlled (once set up) just from a remote.
- $400 or less, preferably.
- Optional nice feature: Automatic commercial removal/skipping? Is that even an option?
- Optional nice feature: Live TV viewing with some kind of HD video out to a monitor, in case they ever decide to upgrade their TV.

I figure that ASRock machine, plus a Hauppage USB TV tuner, plus a VGA to RCA and audio cables, would do the job. Am I right?

If so, that's the top-end I'd ever want to pay for such a thing. ($6-700 altogether?! Under-400 would be better.) Would a simpler machine like an Atom/ION work as well? Is there a pre-made device that would do the job? Or would I be better off building a machine from scratch? (No bigger than VCR-sized, please.)

I also have a couple components lying around I could use in a machine if I built one:
- Western Digital Caviar Green 750GB 3.5"
- One stick CAS7 DDR3-1066 4GB
- One stick DDR2-800 1GB

Would either of those help lower the price?

I might buy something in two or three months. But I have a strong tendancy to put off purchases, so if something better is coming, I'm happy to wait.

 

[tw1164]

Have you looked at a 7000 Pal or a Tivo. The tivo has a monthly fee of $10. I don't think the 7000 pal does. A set top box maybe better then building a HTPC for them.

 

[NutBucket]

Yeah, tw1164 is right. My parents got used to their DirecTIVO and then decided to drop DirecTV. Anyway, the transition to the 7000 Pal was fairly painless and they're definitely not tech savvy at all.

 

[vi edit]

Why not go with something like this with a DVR and DVD-Recorder built in?
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B00...RPRC7KZ8V95MM3

 

[Ken g6]

tw1164: That looks nice. But for $300+, I'd rather have something I could repair myself.

vi: That looks really nice! I didn't know they'd gotten that cheap. :hmm:

 

[bobdole369]

TiVOHD - It has composite out (and component and HDMI to boot). Works with a landline, which your folks seem to still have for some reason. It'll cost ya. All of it can be done with the remote, this is the ONLY solution I've found which will meet every one of your requirements - and its only $13.99/month for the program guide info for ATSC.

Everything home-brewed will be terrifically more difficult, though a gracious nod to MythTV for the closest match so far (and that + schedulesdirect is my current solution)

(Did something similar for my folks - my mom is dead set on using this DVD recorder with an svideo input. )


Let me run through it:


- Receive and save ATSC TV. TiVO + MythTV done easily.
- Self-contained, no internet connection required. (They keep threatening to go back to dial-up!) TiVO only - uses a phoneline.
- Timer recording (just like an old VCR, no electronic program guides.) Daily/weekly recording options. (TiVO does it, but this is really stupid. Once your folks see how simple TiVO is - just pick the show and say "record it - and record this many of it" answer reruns or no - even the crustiest of croners will forget they ever knew how to set a VCR timer).
- Playback to RCA or S-Video standard-def output so recorded shows can be transferred to the DVD recorder. (They know how to transfer.) TiVO - with MythTV SIGNIFICANTLY more difficult.
- All controlled (once set up) just from a remote. Only TiVO.
- $400 or less, preferably. TiVO $99 + $19.99/month or $199 + $13.99/month.
- Optional nice feature: Automatic commercial removal/skipping? Is that even an option?
Only MythTV - Never ever going to be an option on any successful DVR.
- Optional nice feature: Live TV viewing with some kind of HD video out to a monitor, in case they ever decide to upgrade their TV. I take it your folks have a composite input TV? TiVO is unique in that its the only thing that I've seen that outputs simultaneously to multiple outputs. I had a composite outside monitor (little 19" TV on the patio) - my 42" in the living room - and a component input to Hauppauge HD-DVR that I was using to test for my work.

NOTHING in the Homebuilt DVR world is perfect.

Media Center from MS has some issues with playback, only works with certain cards and remotes.
MythTV is easier than it used to be but unless you know bash and various Linuces, stay away. It IS however the most complete and feature filled DVR I've used.
MediaPortal is clunky and since it relies on Windows - constantly screwed up for me.
Sage used to be the leader, but since it was bought by Google its future is uncertain.
GB-PVR was fairly nice but really hard to set up with my hardware.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Comparison_of_PVR_software_packages

It is not nearly as simple as it seems, the biggest hurdle: Where to get the program guide info - and don't think you can live without it. OTA EPG is a joke at best. You WILL require Internet for it.

 

[Ken g6]

It is not nearly as simple as it seems, the biggest hurdle: Where to get the program guide info - and don't think you can live without it. OTA EPG is a joke at best. You WILL require Internet for it.

I'm quite certain they can live without it. They have for many years, with VCRs. There are two sources for program guide info that are way cheaper than $14/month:

1. Sunday newspaper: $1.25/week, or ~$5/month, no internet required.
2. http://www.titantv.com/ - free, with internet connection.

Of course, to set a timer recording, you don't select the program; you enter the start and end times and channel. That's just fine.

Really, vi edit's suggestion is the best so far. I also found a better price on such a thing.

 

[vi edit]

Heh. More info than you'll ever care to know about that Magnavox:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=12244086#post12244086

 

[bobdole369]

Oh No No. I didn't mean your FOLKS can't live without it - I meant the SYSTEM will not operate without it. As in without program info it won't tune. It's inbuilt and to the core of all the PVR's. I'm not aware of ANY digital recording system short of a dummy VCR or DVD recorder that will function solely as a time/channel recorder.

Now that I do think about it though, I'm fairly sure that MythTV tuned and got the OTA EPG but if I recall it needed that to allow any recording, so the time/channel thing still wouldn't have worked (but I might be wrong, I honestly saw "schedules direct YAY!" and typed my stuff in).

In this day and age you cannot set the time and channel. You select a program. (please prove me wrong someone!)

I'm quite certain they can live without it. They have for many years, with VCRs. There are two sources for program guide info that are way cheaper than $14/month:

1. Sunday newspaper: $1.25/week, or ~$5/month, no internet required.
2. http://www.titantv.com/ - free, with internet connection.

Of course, to set a timer recording, you don't select the program; you enter the start and end times and channel. That's just fine.

Really, vi edit's suggestion is the best so far. I also found a better price on such a thing.