TV recorders

[Tonys]

I have a question for all of you up to date electronic junkies. Is there any recording devices for programing that does not need a subscription like Tivo. I am interested in purchasing a vidio recorder with a hard drive for storage, but I refuse to pay for a service agreement. I am more than happy to set it up like a vcr.

Thank you, Tony

[waterhead]

You can use a computer as a PVR (personal video recorder) to record HDTV.

Check out this thread:
http://www.milwaukeehdtv.org/forums/showthread.php?t=5096

Here's another to check out:
http://www.hdtvoice.com/voice/showthread.php?t=18441

[RickNeff]

In addition to a computer-based PVR, Panasonic, Toshiba, and others sell DVD & HDD recorders. These do not need a subscription to record. I have both a Panasonic DVD recorder as well as a Toshiba DVD and hard drive recorder.

[jkane]

You can buy a lifetime subscription from Tivo and get the best of both worlds.

[mrmike]

You can buy a lifetime subscription from Tivo and get the best of both worlds.

And right now on their website a 40 hour refurbished TiVo is free with lifetime sub, so you pay only $299 for what is (arguably) the most plug-and-play user-friendly solution.

[waterhead]

I just checked out the TIVO website.

TIVO does not support HDTV recording, in most cases.

Since this is a HDTV forum, Tivo would not be a recommended option. Also, when the NTSC standard becomes obsolete in a year and a half, you may not be able to use your TIVO anymore.

I am just guessing on this, as I have no actual info on the future of TIVO. But a lifetime subscription may not actually last a lifetime.

A DVR from a cable company, or a computer set up as a PVR are the most viable options. Also the DVD recorders mentioned earlier may work. DirectTV has a HDTV TIVO available.

[jkool]

I would check out the Sony DHG-HDD250 and DHG-HDD500. They are HD OTA DVR's, that also support Cable Card.

There a few reviews on this site about them.

[tazman]

Not to throw you guys too far off topic.  There is a product called Slingbox.  Allows you to, with a high speed internet connection stream your TV to a remote location over the internet.  It also supports the use of your remote control.  
 So you could be sitting half way across the country with your laptop and TV remote and watch your local TV stations from your own TV at home VIA the internet.  Reports are it works pretty good.

[jkane]

I thought since he put this in the off topic forum, he wasn't looking for HD specific recording.

I also didn't think a cable company box was able to be purchased and could not be run without the cable companies "subscription" service.

[Bebop]

I have a Pioneer 80 gig DVR with DVD burner for $190. It was a close-out model.


Right now, you can probably find a 160 Gig DVR and DVD burner for About $300.

http://www.buy.com/retail/Product.asp?sku=10391813&SearchEngine=PriceSCAN&SearchTerm=10391813&Type=PE&Category=Comp&dcaid=15938

[Tonys]

Thanks for the adviced, I am looking at the Sony DHG HDD 250, I think that unit will work great with the built in subsciption to TV Guide. Then I am done paying for dish. Thanks again.