TivoHD(used)/MythTV/something else?

[mvbighead]

I've had DirecTV for the past 1.5 years, and will likely be cutting the cord once I hit year 2. I bought with the idea of it being $50/month, but that quickly turned into ~$100/month. Granted, Sunday Ticket adds a big chunk for 4 months, but I am ok without it... especially considering the fact that I tend to hit my DVR once in a while for something like the Walking Dead; but more often for local broadcasts.

After perusing these threads, I am most enthused about the idea of a TivoHD for about $250 (with lifetime subscription) and using that to record shows like Modern Family, Parenthood, etc. etc. etc. A one time sunk cost of $250, and no recurring monthly costs.

The question is, is there another system as convenient as this? I'm also considering buying a second TivoHD for my other TV (we have two satellite boxes).

I've read around about things like pyTivo, but not sure what that'll help with. I had considered running MythTV with a HDHomeRun device on a VM on my ESXi 5.5 host, and just adding a 2TB disk to store recordings. But in looking things over, it seems this Tivo approach would be simpler, or more like our current satellite setup. Also figuring I can add a 2TB disk to one of them just record all the network shows so as to have a good library of stuff to watch.

So, I ask, is there something better than TivoHD I should consider? I figure for two TVs, the price is under $500 (plus about $80 for a 2TB upgrade). Just looking for feedback.

The only other thought I had was to drop all the extras on DirecTV and record with Tivo similarly. Recurring monthly costs should be around $50. But doubtful I pursue that as I just don't watch that much on stations like TBS, USA, A&E, etc.

 

[NutBucket]

Depending on the tech-saviness of your family I would go the TIVO route. My mom figured out how to use the original DirecTIVO years ago and like it. When they went to OTA I bought them a DTVPal DVR...which worked OK. When that went wonky they decided to invest in a TIVO Roamio + lifetime service. Not cheap but man the UI is top-notch and buttery smooth. I think with TIVO you generally get what you pay for.

 

[mvbighead]

Depending on the tech-saviness of your family I would go the TIVO route. My mom figured out how to use the original DirecTIVO years ago and like it. When they went to OTA I bought them a DTVPal DVR...which worked OK. When that went wonky they decided to invest in a TIVO Roamio + lifetime service. Not cheap but man the UI is top-notch and buttery smooth. I think with TIVO you generally get what you pay for.

Pretty much what I thought the answer might be. i wouldn't mind some of these other options, but the cost and difficulty to put together an HTPC for it just seems like too much. I may at some point consider a Roamio, but the TivoHD for $230 seems like a no hassle approach to getting DVR functionality with OTA broadcasts.

 

[NutBucket]

Yep. I love my HTPC and it's fairly easy to use but it's only for my wife and I.

 

[bradly1101]

I went with Widows Media Center. It's great if you have an old PC lying around. It has the best navigation I've seen.

The recorded files can be converted to work on any device, and if the tuner is networked, two PC's can access it, and it will stream to mobile devices.

But without a second PC or a need to access files, etc., a $250 TiVo looks like a good option.

 

[mvbighead]

I went with Widows Media Center. It's great if you have an old PC lying around. It has the best navigation I've seen.

The recorded files can be converted to work on any device, and if the tuner is networked, two PC's can access it, and it will stream to mobile devices.

But without a second PC or a need to access files, etc., a $250 TiVo looks like a good option.

Well, I happen to have a LOT of old PCs lying around. The only trouble I have is investing a bunch of money in software and hardware if the TivoHD is a better option. In thinking about the available solutions, the one thing I was pretty sure I would go with (if not Tivo) was the HDHomeRun streaming appliance. I had seen Newegg put it on sale in a flyer months ago for $60ish, which at this point I would fork over just to play and test with.

Then, I figured if there was a Linux/opensource project that allowed recording and could get channel listing, I could use that to record from the home run. I figured I would run a VM and attach a 2TB disk for storage, and most likely use MythTV as the cost was better than a Windows product.

So, for the grand total of $80 + $60, I would have the recording system on a VM. If I throw Windows into the equation, that's another $80ish. Doing the math, thats $220, which is the cost of the TivoHD used with a lifetime membership on the device.

Now, the only flip side is that I'd still need a streaming device for MythTV. I suspect my Xbox 360 works for teh windows media center deal, so one TV would be covered. Then I'd just need another one for my other TV. That may work though, and come in cheaper than Tivo. The only other benefit to Tivo is that each TV would have its own coax input and channel listing at the source without streaming from the HomeRun. Not a requirement, but possibly a better solution.

All in all, Tivo would work out to $460 for two TVs, roughly. Maybe $80 to upgrade the drive on one of them. The Windows solution wouldn't be too terribly far from that, I don't think. Especially when I start throwing Xboxes around at TVs.

I guess that spells out what I have been mulling over. All in all, I am leaning TV just for simplicity for the wife and any guests. I wouldn't mind the other solution, and may even do it for myself just to tinker, but I think the Tivo would probably be less hassle.

 

[quikah]

I had a series 3 tivo for years (same as tivohd). It is slow and the netflix app is old and clunky. I have a roamio now, pretty much night and day difference in terms of speed and netflix, of course if you just need to record tv shows, not that much difference. You could do a roamio +mini for $850. Much more money, but it is very nice.

 

[mvbighead]

I had a series 3 tivo for years (same as tivohd). It is slow and the netflix app is old and clunky. I have a roamio now, pretty much night and day difference in terms of speed and netflix, of course if you just need to record tv shows, not that much difference. You could do a roamio +mini for $850. Much more money, but it is very nice.

Yeah, I am also giving that some thought. I figure if I only end up using it for 2 years, i should still be able to offload it for 200-300 and have roughly the same amount spent overall. And if I keep it, all the better.

Only trouble is the investment upfront is pretty steep for Tivo new. When I speced it out it was about 950, I think. 500 of that was lifetime licensing of the Mini and the Roamio. I've still got about six months to decide, but if I deal pops up, I may be inclined to take it in advance to be ready.

Actually, 499 just for the licensing of the Roamio... plus 100 for the Mini. This is what has me leaning toward TivoHD, as I can get the device and the lifetime support for $230. Granted, it's used, but that doesn't bother me. Still though, if a HDHomeRun pops up, I may grab that and test with my desktop for a while. If I like that enough with the Xbox, I may go that route.

 

[NutBucket]

Unofficially you can transfer lifetime service....

 

[mvbighead]

Yep, the folks selling them used on Amazon were giving me the impression that is doable. I guess as long as it transfers, great. If not... I guess my options change significantly.

EDIT: Oh wait, you might be talking about something else. Hmmm.

Well, I did read up and transfer of device with lifetime service is easy. Transfer of service from one device to the next is only possible for non lifetime service contracts.

 

[NutBucket]

Like I said, officially that is the policy. Unofficially reps tell me it happens with some regularity. I mean, if your box dies it seems silly to have to re-buy service.

 

[mvbighead]

For those considering this approach to HTPC, now is a good time to buy:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...15345007-L024B

Hopefully this is ok to put here, but I figure it mostly applies to those in this sub-forum. I was waiting for the price to drop, and low and behold it did.

 

[tential]

http://www.cetoncorp.com/documents/InfiniTV_4_Network_Tuners_Setup_Guide.pdf

Just found that from Ceton.... I wish I had known about it earlier. Couldn't figure out at all how to use WMC with network tuners but now that I do, pretty pointless for me to even have more than one PC feeding out all my TV.

I'll test it out later tonight and report back with how it works. Hopefully it doesn't destroy everything I've already done to make HDTV work on this PC lol.

 

[Chapbass]

I have an HTPC for local streaming and a tivo for tv recording. I wouldn't think about moving the tv portion to an HTPC. The Tivo is awesome for what I need it to do, especially when it comes to things like setting a show to record remotely (through their website).

/shrug to each their own, but for a family I'd do Tivo and never look back.

 

[mvbighead]

I have an HTPC for local streaming and a tivo for tv recording. I wouldn't think about moving the tv portion to an HTPC. The Tivo is awesome for what I need it to do, especially when it comes to things like setting a show to record remotely (through their website).

/shrug to each their own, but for a family I'd do Tivo and never look back.

I doubt I would disagree. At this point, i still have several months left on a DirecTV contract. The HDHomeRun is simply going to be used as a proof of concept. If we like it, we'll continue to use it. If we don't, I'll buy a used TivoHD with a lifetime support attached to it. Either way, this method is costing me $60 to play around. I got no problems with that.

 

[Chapbass]

I doubt I would disagree. At this point, i still have several months left on a DirecTV contract. The HDHomeRun is simply going to be used as a proof of concept. If we like it, we'll continue to use it. If we don't, I'll buy a used TivoHD with a lifetime support attached to it. Either way, this method is costing me $60 to play around. I got no problems with that.

Sounds like a good plan to me!