Want to replace Uverse

[DBissett]

Currently I receive ATT Uverse TV and Internet via their Gateway, and run 4 TV's in the house that each has an ATT receiver attached (one is wireless). The gateway is in the office next to a recently built desktop PC. The main TV is attached to an HT sound system in the family room. Besides TV we stream Netflix(via Wii), watch DVD's, and record a lot of TV from all of them(Uverse allows 4 signals at a time). Very light gaming via daughter's Wii. Question is how best to replace the Uverse system with an internet based system and still get the same functionality, or gain more. After a lot of reading I'm leaning toward an HTPC but is that overkill or a good idea? I could build it easy enough. Than what? How do I get the PC output to the other TV's and enable record/playback on them? Any suggestions about hardware/software appreciated.

 

[Aggdaddy]

Try hdhomerun.
https://www.silicondust.com/products/hdhomerun/atsc/

You can get over the air tv, pretty good, and unencrypted cable, but anything else you'd have to experiment with it. You might be able to do some hackery with satellite or cable to get all the channels, but this is the only thing I know of that give you a feature like u-verse.

 

[tential]

I'd think you'd be able to cut down your cable bill quite a bit. Not quite get rid of it.

For example, you can use a Ceton Quad Tuner in an HTPC hooked up to a main TV. That Quad Tuner, can tune up to 4 channels. So you can send TV to up to 3 other TVs.

You can record/PVR a LOT of movies on TV (There are tons of free movies on TV), and cut the NetFlix out if you really don't need it. Etc.

You just have to see what works for you and use the tools at your disposal. A lot of methods people use their HTPCs aren't allowed to be talked on on this forum.

 

[dagamer34]

UVerse does not work with CableCard. It's pure IPTV, there are no "tuners" involved.