Tivo/DVR Advice?

[ViRGE]

So I was talking to the old man today, and he wants to get a DVR for the wife. The thing is that they don't do that much recording, so all he really wants is a bare-bones setup, practically a VCR with a hard drive.

Now I don't know much about what's currently out there or what deals are going on, so I'm asking for some advice. What should I be telling the old man to get that will fit his needs, without costing any more than absolutely necessary?

PS This is just over analog cable, so there's no need for any digital/satellite functionality

 

[mchammer]

TIVO TIVO

 

[kami333]

Tivo.

Or whatever DVR his cable company offers, it's only like $10/month.

 

[Paulson]

Tivo is pretty easy to use I'd say...

Whatever you do don't mess with a HTPC lol... I've got media center 2005 as well as 3 tivo's (2 DirecTV TiVo's and one Stand Alone TiVo)

The TiVo's are sooooooooo much easier to use.

 

[olds]

He may not record much now but if he figures it out, he will with Tivo/DVR.

 

[RossMAN]

TiVo, they can usually be found for $199 - $100 rebate = $99

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
TiVo, they can usually be found for $199 - $100 rebate = $99

That's what I paid for mine. But we have Dish now. I was thinking of selling the Tivo in FS/T but it's not worth the effort when it's $99 new.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: RossMAN
TiVo, they can usually be found for $199 - $100 rebate = $99

That's what I paid for mine. But we have Dish now. I was thinking of selling the Tivo in FS/T but it's not worth the effort when it's $99 new.

Thanks to uber Elite Hot Dealer allisolm I got mine for $99 - $100 rebate = FREE @ BB.

 

[olds]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: oldsmoboat

Originally posted by: RossMAN
TiVo, they can usually be found for $199 - $100 rebate = $99

That's what I paid for mine. But we have Dish now. I was thinking of selling the Tivo in FS/T but it's not worth the effort when it's $99 new.

Thanks to uber Elite Hot Dealer allisolm I got mine for $99 - $100 rebate = FREE @ BB.

:Q

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: RossMAN
TiVo, they can usually be found for $199 - $100 rebate = $99

Ya, but what about price? I'm trying to come up with something economical to reccomend, but he's not going to go for something where he has to pay a monthly service fee, or where there's some huge up-front service contact. Last I checked, Tivo was either $12/month, or $300 for a lifetime subscription; neither of those seem very economical.

 

[KLin]

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: RossMAN
TiVo, they can usually be found for $199 - $100 rebate = $99

Ya, but what about price? I'm trying to come up with something economical to reccomend, but he's not going to go for something where he has to pay a monthly service fee, or where there's some huge up-front service contact. Last I checked, Tivo was either $12/month, or $300 for a lifetime subscription; neither of those seem very economical.

I think you can still use the basic functions of a Tivo DVR and not pay the subscription.

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: RossMAN
TiVo, they can usually be found for $199 - $100 rebate = $99

Ya, but what about price? I'm trying to come up with something economical to reccomend, but he's not going to go for something where he has to pay a monthly service fee, or where there's some huge up-front service contact. Last I checked, Tivo was either $12/month, or $300 for a lifetime subscription; neither of those seem very economical.

Good news and bad news, which do you want first?

 

The hdr box i got from comcast works great.

 

[ViRGE]

Originally posted by: RossMAN

Originally posted by: ViRGE

Originally posted by: RossMAN
TiVo, they can usually be found for $199 - $100 rebate = $99

Ya, but what about price? I'm trying to come up with something economical to reccomend, but he's not going to go for something where he has to pay a monthly service fee, or where there's some huge up-front service contact. Last I checked, Tivo was either $12/month, or $300 for a lifetime subscription; neither of those seem very economical.

Good news and bad news, which do you want first?

Bad news, followed by the good news please.

 

[RossMAN]

Bad news: This model is nearly impossible to find anywhere.

Good news: Some DVR's offer FREE TIVO BASIC the two major catches are:
No season pass.
Only 3 days scheduling vs 14 days.

The Toshiba SD-H400 is a very popular model and I have seen opened boxes for $149 - $199 @ Best Buy stores.

review

No monthly or lifetime fees FTW!

 

[ViRGE]

Ahh, so there is hope. Are these basic boxes just no longer made, or in short supply?

 

[RossMAN]

Originally posted by: ViRGE
Ahh, so there is hope. Are these basic boxes just no longer made, or in short supply?

I'm guessing both, they are still around just hard to acquire.

Looks like Amazon.com no longer carries it nor their marketplace private sellers:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0000AA9E8/

I bought my refurb Toshiba SD-H400 from PriceGrabber.com for around $235 shipped.

Looks like they're available on eBay.com
http://search.ebay.com/SD-H400