Help! DVR Questions

[Ranger REG]

I apologize in advance. I honestly don't know where I can post this Consumer Electronics topic thread.

I'm thinking of abandoning VCR for DVR (digital video recorder) but I want to make sure I have all the answers I need before purchasing, or perhaps wait a bit longer for a better model.

My #1 Question: Do DVRs have a built-in digital (ATSC) tuner? VCRs have built-in analog (NTCS) tuner so I can program what TV shows I want to watch later. I assume DVR would have analog tuner but now that high-definition is the way to go, I'd like to record shows that are broadcasting on OTA HD TV signals. Don't Force Me to Resign to Cable.

If some of them have, please give me some product recommendations. Even better, an 80GB (minimum) DVR with Digital Tuner and DVD Recorder.

 

[Aeolius]

for ATSC, you might look at these.

EyeTV hybrid:
http://www.elgato.com/index.php?file=products_eyetvhybridna
(It delivers free over-the-air digital TV to your Mac via antenna, as well as analog TV via antenna and standard cable.)

TiVo:
http://www.tivo.com/2.0.boxdetails.asp?box=series3HDDVR
(Series3 HD box provides access to HD Digital Cable, analog cable and ATSC over-the-air signals.)

 

[Ranger REG]

for ATSC, you might look at these.

EyeTV hybrid:
http://www.elgato.com/index.php?file=products_eyetvhybridna
(It delivers free over-the-air digital TV to your Mac via antenna, as well as analog TV via antenna and standard cable.)

Don't have a Mac. Never will buy a Mac.

TiVo:
http://www.tivo.com/2.0.boxdetails.asp?box=series3HDDVR
(Series3 HD box provides access to HD Digital Cable, analog cable and ATSC over-the-air signals.)

I assume this have a catch, so what is it?

 

[freebfrost]

I assume this have a catch, so what is it?

The monthly subscription fees perhaps...

 

[Aeolius]

Don't have a Mac. Never will buy a Mac.

Just providing the information I'm familiar with; don't have a Windows machine, never will buy a Windows machine.

I assume this have a catch, so what is it?

Freebfrost is correct. The Series3 is $800, on top of the $20/month (1-year plan), $15/month (2-year plan), or $12/month (3-year plan) you'll shell out for subscription fees. Mind you, if you already have a TiVo with a lifetime subscription (no longer offered), you can transfer that lifetime subscription to a new Series3 for $200.

 

[ssampier]

Freebfrost is correct. The Series3 is $800, on top of the $20/month (1-year plan), $15/month (2-year plan), or $12/month (3-year plan) you'll shell out for subscription fees. Mind you, if you already have a TiVo with a lifetime subscription (no longer offered), you can transfer that lifetime subscription to a new Series3 for $200.

Ouch. I can easily build a good PC with that much cash (with no subscription for DVR, either).

 

[Aeolius]

Ouch. I can easily build a good PC with that much cash (with no subscription for DVR, either).

Agreed. I might go for a Mac Mini coupled with an EyeTV hybrid, a Slingbox, and a DVD server... then again, my wife does like the TiVo interface... much better than that of the SA 8300 provided by Time-Warner.

 

[John Crichton]

Ouch. I can easily build a good PC with that much cash (with no subscription for DVR, either).

You could but it wouldn't record in HD on two tuners or have an interface as smooth as TiVos.

 

[John Crichton]

My #1 Question: Do DVRs have a built-in digital (ATSC) tuner? VCRs have built-in analog (NTCS) tuner so I can program what TV shows I want to watch later. I assume DVR would have analog tuner but now that high-definition is the way to go, I'd like to record shows that are broadcasting on OTA HD TV signals. Don't Force Me to Resign to Cable.

If some of them have, please give me some product recommendations. Even better, an 80GB (minimum) DVR with Digital Tuner and DVD Recorder.

If you are looking to record HD, 80GB won't be nearly enough to hold much. My 250GB TiVo model holds 30 hours of HD programming. 80GB may give you 10 hours and won't leave room for non-HD shows/movies.

If you can get a refurbished (or new) DirecTV TiVo HR10-250 (they can be found on ebay and other online non-auction stores), that is the one I use. It's not nearly as much as the new Series 3 TiVo but does a little less that you probably aren't interested in anyway.

I have plenty of experience w/ Tivo & DirecTV, separately and together. You pay a bit of a premium for all their services but the customer service is excellent. You can also visit these forums for some professional help:

http://www.highdefforum.com/
http://www.satelliteguys.us/
http://www.hometheaterforum.com/index.php

 

[Aeolius]

The Series3 also has an E-SATA port for "future use". In past product demos, they discussed an external hard drive add-on.