VCR Replacements after 02/17/09?
 

What can I purchase now to replace my VRC that has an analog tuner? I am receiving over-the-air TV broadcast only and I already have the Hi-Def TV.
I am looking for some kind of DVR that has a hard drive built in. Please be specific as to make and model number. Thanks!

Re: VCR Replacements after 02/17/09?
 

Build a PC and install Linux and Mythtv (best option), or Windows and Media centre - much more versatile than a Manufactured DVR.

Re: VCR Replacements after 02/17/09?
 

Yeah, I recommend just buying a good PC and build your own PVR. If you want to install MythTV, I recommend either KnoppMyth, MythDora, or MythBuntu. Of the three, MythDora is the most user friendly, but KnoppMyth is perfect for power users who love to tinker. Here's a roundup I did on the three distros and what to expect.

KnoppMyth
MythBuntu
MythDora

Hope those help you in picking a distro. And a purpose built Linux distro really is the best way to go when switching over to MythTV for your DVR.

Re: VCR Replacements after 02/17/09?
 

Maybe look into those small computers from Dell, Asus, etc... Or, I heard that Boxee is making a box.

I recommend Windows for a media center, but a Linux box would work great with the tablet as a remote control, using such software like Bluemaemo and irreco.

Re: VCR Replacements after 02/17/09?
 

Or a laptop with a busted screen, if your luck is such that you have or can readily get one.

Re: VCR Replacements after 02/17/09?
 

A TiVo HD won't be nearly as capable as a HTPC (Home Theater PC), but they're only $250 plus $13/month and have 2 tuners. And they can use CableCards to receive digital cable, which MythTV will unfortunately never be able to do.

MythTV's listing data service is much cheaper ($20/yr), which will eventually make up the difference in initial cost.

Re: VCR Replacements after 02/17/09?
 

If you don't want monthly subscriptions and don't want the hassle of building your own, try Echostar's DVR. It was supposed to be shipping in December '08, but the site still says 'pre-order'. Here's the link: http://dtvpal.com/

Re: VCR Replacements after 02/17/09?
 

Gery market satellite = Every single channel you ever wanted for free

Just FYI...

Re: VCR Replacements after 02/17/09?
 

Aw common, doesn't anyone have the guts to spill the beans?

Just torrent whatever shows you want to watch... ;)

Re: VCR Replacements after 02/17/09?
 

get a bittorrent client, a USB flash drive and this for your HDTV

http://www.buy.com/prod/wd-tv-hd-med.../209975073.htm

http://ak.buy.com/db_assets/prod_lrg.../209975073.jpg


I use OTA tv but get the show I missed on the torrents then listen to it in HD on the tv. (...no... I try not to download pirated movies... too often )

Re: VCR Replacements after 02/17/09?
 

By definition I cannot be a pirate. Some time ago Belgium quietly passed a law that put a tax on all recordable media. This tax is supposedly paid to our equivalent of the RIAA (meaning that just about everyone bar the actual content creators gets a share, but I digress), so I cannot illegally download movies, as I already paid taxes for them.

Of course, that means I have to store all downloads on DVDs, but I can live with that. It's still a heck of a lot less than the price of a prerecorded movie.

Re: VCR Replacements after 02/17/09?
 

Just this week I got a Hauppauge WinTV digital capable tuner card for over-the-air TV ($59, but you might want to go a little higher-end - I've learned that having 1080i off-loading could be a good thing). That, with a 10 year old Jensen set of rabbit ears, is turning up some 18 TV stations - some in 1080i, many in 720 and a handful in 480 ...

There's some PVR software readily available -- haven't tried it out yet (this is on my linux desktop) - but MythTV gets good reviews.

I wind up getting much better reception off of the digital side than I /ever/ did for analog ... -- $60.00 and a recycled set of rabbit ears ... heh.

Re: VCR Replacements after 02/17/09?
 

I've actually got a Hauppauge 1600 HDTV capture card, and love it to death. It works great. The only catch is, in order to use it I have to take it out to my dad's, because where I live, you can't get any HDTV signals. :( You have to go outside the area in order to get ANY HDTV signals. I tested the card and it works great, but it won't pick up any signal in my apartment because all HDTV signals are killed by the buildings around me. :(

So if anyone wants it, give me $50 and it's yours. It's almost brand spanking new too.

Re: VCR Replacements after 02/17/09?
 

I highly recommend building your own media center using a Hauppauge card and BeyondTV (www.snapstream.com) to record your shows. I also have a custom front-end for everything else (www.opensoms.org), but haven't updated the install instructions in awhile.

Re: VCR Replacements after 02/17/09?
 

I use a Hauppauge 1600 HDTV capture card with GBPVR software on a windows xp machine. The software is free and the community is great (just like the ITT community).

http://gbpvr.com/

Re: VCR Replacements after 02/17/09?
 

I highly recommend the HDHOMERUN from silicondust. It tunes ATSC or Clear QAM and sends it over your network to wherever(most dvr apps like gbpvr, media center, sagetv can use it as well as just plain old VLC). Each box has two tuners. I have two on my network.

Re: VCR Replacements after 02/17/09?
 

Joan, wow, I was using Media Portal, but I like your suggestion better. :D