Cheap Over-the-Air Standard Definition DVR?

[travisk]

I am trying to find the cheapest way to build/buy a standard def over-the-air DVR. I've searched around and these are my options, but there has to be something better -

1. Build a MythTV DVR from an older PC. Downsides: Decoder card costs $150, most cheap PCs are too loud for the living room and I would still have to pay for programming guide service.

2. Buy an old Tivo. Downsides: $150/yr in subscription fees, and some models don't support over-the-air.

There has to be something better... I just want a cheap DVR solution without monthly fees or expensive hardware.

Any suggestions?

 

[harshness]

You might look into the Echostar TR50.

http://www.satelliteguys.us/2008-co...orum/120656-video-echostar-tr50-atsc-dvr.html

Their other DVRs are industry leaders.

 

[jgantert]

Or a DVD recorder with hard drive.

Magnavox 80GB DVD Recorder w/ Digital Tuner - Wal-Mart

 

[travisk]

But does that DVD Recorder w/ hard drive have an easy-to-use programming guide? Or does it just do time-based recording?

 

[air.jason]

Look at a Windows Media Center PC. You don't have to pay for the programming guide service. An upgrade to Windows Vista Ultimate may work.

 

[lumpkin666]

You can use most series 1 Tivos as a time-based recorder with no fees.

 

[mdonnelly]

Vhs

 

[Jim5506]

Your problem is that the old TiVo's are all analog tuners as are the ReplayTV and other old SD DVR's.

I use a TiVo Stand-alone SD unit with a digital tuner on the composite or S-video input. These Tivo's with lifetime subscription are still about $300 and the new Digital tuners will be about $40-75.

It will save you the monthly sub to Tivo.

I found a Panasonic Showstopper (similar to SD TiVo) dead at a garage sale and put a replacement HDD in it and for less than $50 i have an SD DVR with lifetime subscription. It has composite inputs too, so I use it with my Dish Network 301.

 

[Peter Parker]

Vhs

Cheap certainly but not a DVR.

 

[jgantert]

But does that DVD Recorder w/ hard drive have an easy-to-use programming guide? Or does it just do time-based recording?

Doesn't look like it, sorry! Just time based recordings.

 

[Tower Guy]

Look at a Windows Media Center PC. You don't have to pay for the programming guide service. An upgrade to Windows Vista Ultimate may work.

Vista Home Media Edition works fine and has an easy to use programming guide. Instead of an internal capture card, consider a cheap USB HD tuner.

I also have the Magnavox. Yes, it is time based recording only.