Some newb DVR questions...

[Mark_H]

Hey guys, I'm an in-the-closet TV nut and want to get myself a DVR. I have no idea how I've lasted this long without one. I have Comcast basic cable right now.
My question is: Is there such thing as an aftermarket DVR unit I can just buy, plug in and use to record my favorite shows? I know Comcast has one for $11.99/month but for some reason I'd prefer to just buy a unit and use it.
If something like this exists do you guys have any suggestions on what I should look for(specs etc??). And also, where could I find one?
Thanks for any info you can pass on.

[Kwando]

Tivo has a stand alone unit. you should be able to find one online or even bestbuy. another thing you can do is if you have a powerful PC, use it as a media center. Or even an xbox will work. I don't have any experience with the media center. I work at dish so i know our shit is the best.

[afrointegra]

Doesn't the Comcast box double as a HD reciever as well though?

[Evil_SpeedRacer]

You can get a standalone DVR, or a dual tuner DVR that has HDTV capacity with Comcast service. The TIVO units are not all that great. They don't work very well with any service but the dish services so far. There have been people who have gotten it to work with Comcast service, but then complain when it records whatever it wants and sometimes purchases PPV movies without your knowledge as well. The series 3 ones were supposed to remedy this, however the propblems persist. The series 3 ones also don't always sync up properly with the channel lineup you subscribe to. If the box breaks, or needs service you will be out of luck while the Comcast one will be supported and or replaced if you happen to have any trouble. Those are important things to take into consideration when dealing with these TIVO units.

[john]

I was going to get a comcast hd/dvr box, but it would have added $40 to my monthly bill due the the funky programming we've got (mandatory upgrade of programming to be able to get the comcast hd/dvr box).

Mark - if you are geek enough, you can build one out of a spare computer with either linux or windows running on the box.

Freevo, MythTV, etc.

[Evil_SpeedRacer]

What package do you have? Are you on limited basic?

[john]

I'm not sure. Digital classic plus something else. I'm sure you could look it up. :)

[Bedlam]

I have a windows media center PC that I built quite a few years back and I LOVE it. Its not the lowest startup cost in the world (to do it right) but they are very nice once you have them set up. Wouldnt trade mine for any tivo, comcast unit, or non full computer crap out there.

[nicklk]

I was going to get a comcast hd/dvr box, but it would have added $40 to my monthly bill due the the funky programming we've got (mandatory upgrade of programming to be able to get the comcast hd/dvr box).

.

They were saying I needed to do that as well...So what I did, was ordered the higher package to get the DVR into my place, then reduced my package and I got to keep the DVR

[Mark_H]

Cool, thanks for the info guys. I suppose I may just get the one from Comcast. I talked to them yesterday when I went down to pay my bill. The lady said all I need to do is upgrade to Basic Plus(or something like that) which is only $1 more then my current basic cable, then I have to rent the DVR box for $11.99/month. So for $12.99/month I can get it through Comcast. She also said the boxes are in stock and I can pick one up their anytime if I want one.

[Evil_SpeedRacer]

Cool, thanks for the info guys. I suppose I may just get the one from Comcast. I talked to them yesterday when I went down to pay my bill. The lady said all I need to do is upgrade to Basic Plus(or something like that) which is only $1 more then my current basic cable, then I have to rent the DVR box for $11.99/month. So for $12.99/month I can get it through Comcast. She also said the boxes are in stock and I can pick one up their anytime if I want one.

This is why I asked John if he had basic services. You would actually be getting "starter" cable which is the lowest digital package. This is all in assumption that you don't have any box for your cable at this time. The starter is $1 more than expanded basic, and this is the old school way of doing things. What Nick is talking about is the requirements put on the higher end boxes after we ran out of them in all of the markets. They may have lifted the requirements in our market, I will have to check on that with someone in residential. If they did lift the restriction, then that means I might be able to get the DVR for my Living room finally! They only let us have one each as employees since they had run out, so I put it in my bedroom. :D

[Mark_H]

This is why I asked John if he had basic services. You would actually be getting "starter" cable which is the lowest digital package. This is all in assumption that you don't have any box for your cable at this time. The starter is $1 more than expanded basic, and this is the old school way of doing things. What Nick is talking about is the requirements put on the higher end boxes after we ran out of them in all of the markets. They may have lifted the requirements in our market, I will have to check on that with someone in residential. If they did lift the restriction, then that means I might be able to get the DVR for my Living room finally! They only let us have one each as employees since they had run out, so I put it in my bedroom. :D

Yes, just to clarify I do not have any kind of cable box or anything. Thanks for the inside info.

[Evil_SpeedRacer]

No problem, let me know if they give you ANY guff about this. If so, I will straighten it right out for you.

[Kwando]

Evil_SpeedRacer comcast finally figured out that my parents had expanded basic cable free along with their high speed. those fuckers came over and cut all the lines, and put a line blocker.

[Evil_SpeedRacer]

Yikes, thats no good! I heard they were doing the audits, but usually they don't target homes for that, they are usually looking for people who got into the box and started stealing from there. I may not be able to do anything about that, since a technician would have to remove the trap that is on there. I will check into it and PM you later on after I talk to my residential contact.

[myshtern]

This thread has actually gotten me really interested in building a budget type DVR. I'm looking at both programs John mentioned and reading this right now:
http://www.mythtv.org/docs/mythtv-HOWTO-3.html

[myshtern]

Alright, so I'm hoping you guys can help me tie some thoughts together here. The main gist of what I'm getting is that I need a cheap machine (low processor and memory), but it must have good TV tuner card that has hardware for MPEG-2 conversion and a fast/large HDD.

If I'm not using this computer to connect to a monitor, do I need a second video card? I'm assuming that even if I need to I can use the s-video out for the monitor. Why does my sound receiver have an s-video input?
I'm looking at this video card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16815116609

I'm assuming once you boot up the machine and the program you want to use, I'm assuming you can just disconnect the keyboard? You want to make sure your video card has a remote control, or do most people use something else to control that?

[hatchbackgirl]

I love our DVR...our one unit controls both TV's. It's a beautiful thing!

[myshtern]

Alright, so I'm hoping you guys can help me tie some thoughts together here. The main gist of what I'm getting is that I need a cheap machine (low processor and memory), but it must have good TV tuner card that has hardware for MPEG-2 conversion and a fast/large HDD.

If I'm not using this computer to connect to a monitor, do I need a second video card? I'm assuming that even if I need to I can use the s-video out for the monitor. Why does my sound receiver have an s-video input?
I'm looking at this video card:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductReview.aspx?Item=N82E16815116609

I'm assuming once you boot up the machine and the program you want to use, I'm assuming you can just disconnect the keyboard? You want to make sure your video card has a remote control, or do most people use something else to control that?
bump and can someone move this thread to the computer's section?