Help! DVR Questions

[Ranger REG]

The monthly subscription fees perhaps...

And if I don't subscribe, what would I be missing?

 

[Ranger REG]

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

Then by default, you and I are enemies.

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.

Well, gee, let me see if I can crap more money for the subscription.

*sees brown stools*

Nope, no more money.

 

[Aeolius]

Then by default, you and I are enemies.

How about some Goodwill , then?

Well, gee, let me see if I can crap more money for the subscription.

You might start off with a $70 Antenna to receive free high-definition TV signals without a satellite or cable subscription.

 

[Pyrex]

And if I don't subscribe, what would I be missing?

Without a subscription, your Tivo will make a great doorstop.

The subscription is what lets you download guide data. Without guide data, Tivo won't record anything.

Another option you might consider is a Windows Media Center PC.

Media Center is pretty slick and has no subscription fees to download the guide data.

Media Center supports ATSC (Over-the-air HD), but until Vista Media Center releases (which should happen in the spring along with the consumer release of Vista) there is no support for QAM (Digital Cable). Also, AFAIK, there are no supported MCE tuners for DirecTV.

 

[Ranger REG]

Without a subscription, your Tivo will make a great doorstop.

And any pay-2-play MMORPG software make great coasters. I blame Hollywood and Rosie O'Donnell for peddling TiVo and scamming people.

Look, I know how to program my own VCR, so give me a DVR with that level of user-friendly convenience without my having to pay a monthly fee. I didn't need to pay a monthly fee to record programmed events on my VCR. Heck, I hardly used the Plus+ Code.

Come on, leaders of high-tech consumer electronics industry. While you're at it, how about some HD TVs with ATSC tuner built-in on screens SMALLER than 21 inches! Don't wait for May 2007 FCC Mandate. I want it NOW!

 

[John Crichton]

Come on, leaders of high-tech consumer electronics industry. While you're at it, how about some HD TVs with ATSC tuner built-in on screens SMALLER than 21 inches! Don't wait for May 2007 FCC Mandate. I want it NOW!

HD on less than 21"? That is completely not worth it as you wouldn't be able to tell the difference in picture quality. Just more of the screen as it would be 16x9.

 

[Ranger REG]

HD on less than 21"? That is completely not worth it as you wouldn't be able to tell the difference in picture quality. Just more of the screen as it would be 16x9.

Okay, let me put it this way. I want a 20-24 inch LCD HD TV (with integrated ATSC tuner) for under $400 (MSRP).

And I still want a user-friendly subscription-free DVR that I can program myself ... with a hard drive that I can upgrade. Heck, I'd settle for being able to plug in external HD via USB or Firewire.

 

[Aeolius]

This listing from titanTV might help you get started.

 

[Ranger REG]

This listing from titanTV might help you get started.

Um, yeah. Don't think I want to buy a TV tuner card and install it in my 6-year-old PC with 1.4 GHz P4.

 

[Aeolius]

Um, yeah. Don't think I want to buy a TV tuner card and install it in my 6-year-old PC with 1.4 GHz P4.

I understand your frustration. The stipulation for a "subscription-free DVR" is a difficult one to work with.

A 6-year old PC, eh? Well, MacWorld Expo is in less than 2 weeks. Apple might announce the iTV product they've been working on. ::ducking::