Old topics are old.

We have basic cable (wall ---> tv) with not box in between. We would like a simple DVR.

I just checked out some Tivos, but it appears they require a monthly fee -- which is extremely strange to me. We don't need any streaming option as the tvs, game systems, chromecast, etc all have that covered. I would like to be able to "Record Channel X every week at 8pm" and I can't find a simply product.

Perhaps I need to bring back the VCR... I wonder how HD shows look on VHS tapes....

6/2/2014 3:11:05 PM

Get an old desktop PC and put a cable card in it. If you don't have a box to decrypt anything and it's just direct basic cable then it shouldn't be a big deal.

6/2/2014 4:11:43 PM

Welcome to the future buddy. What you want literally doesn't exist.

Want simple? Get the Tivo.

Want no monthly fee? Get a computer with Windows Media Center and a cable card tuner.

6/2/2014 4:24:49 PM

http://simple.tv
buy a tivo with lifetime support
silicondust hdhomerun

6/2/2014 4:27:52 PM

is there software to turn a PS3 into a DVR?

[Edited on June 2, 2014 at 5:42 PM. Reason : i guess you can't run cable into one though. ]

6/2/2014 5:42:25 PM

Never saw this before but what about something like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-1212-Definition-Personal-Recorder/dp/B0018LX0DY/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1401745929&sr=8-1&keywords=vcr+player+recorder+schedule+time

It's basically an HD recorder that uses a scheduler so you can schedule certain shows at certain times.

Don't know how well it works...

6/2/2014 5:53:30 PM

This is mind blowing... I do have an old pc with a cable card, may just go that route - but it may be a bitch to wire/hide

6/3/2014 11:14:38 AM

Because I think most people who want to record HD don't mind paying the $12-18/month for the HD-DVR box.

6/3/2014 11:21:09 AM

I simply don't understand the monthly charge... It seems very much a ripoff.

6/3/2014 11:46:22 AM

Most services still dial home to grab a list of the shows that are available for each time-slot I think. I would imagine there would be a bunch of overhead for services like that, especially considering how many different providers exist. (I'm just guessing this is how it works). Tivo also likes recommend shows based on your choices. I would have assumed that Tivo selling your information to Big Data would cover most of this, though.

I admit its weird that there isn't a DVR-like option equivalent to a VCR (albeit with recurring time periods). Perhaps the companies are forcing customers into this model because the subscription is just much more profitable? I would have still expected a cheap box option (aside from a PC/CableCard).

6/3/2014 12:07:05 PM

Yeah and with most cable providers the HD-DBR box is also the decrypter / cable box which they charge a monthly fee for anyway.

6/3/2014 12:15:30 PM

^yep thats exactly why. Microsoft bundles this in WMC, but if you use something else you'll end up paying schedulesdirect add for the listing data.

TiVo also includes a ton of other metadata, but I couldn't justify the price either.

6/3/2014 12:18:35 PM

For WMC in Windows 8 you need Pro right?

6/3/2014 1:08:31 PM