DVR boxes - I really don't want to pay $10 / month to cablevision for 1. What are my options?
My first year of service with Cablevision is coming to an end and now have to start paying $10 / month for what was a free DVR.
$120 for a year of a glorified VCR? Yeah, it's a nice device. But are there options? Tivo and Replay have monthly charges.
I looked but don't see DVR boxes for sale at Best Buy.com, etc.. And then how do they get the schedule of shows? are you back to doing it like a VCR - entering specific hours and channels, rather than highlight the show you want to watch?
And I have a Windows Media Center OS on a desktop my son uses. It has VGA and Svideo connectors on the back. I thought I heard windows media center PCs can be used as a DVR? But that doesn't have a coax in connection. It would need a video receiver type of card? And what's the cost of that?!
I am amazed with the economy in the toilet, that watching TV is so expensive!
$120 for a year of a glorified VCR? Yeah, it's a nice device. But are there options? Tivo and Replay have monthly charges.
I looked but don't see DVR boxes for sale at Best Buy.com, etc.. And then how do they get the schedule of shows? are you back to doing it like a VCR - entering specific hours and channels, rather than highlight the show you want to watch?
And I have a Windows Media Center OS on a desktop my son uses. It has VGA and Svideo connectors on the back. I thought I heard windows media center PCs can be used as a DVR? But that doesn't have a coax in connection. It would need a video receiver type of card? And what's the cost of that?!
I am amazed with the economy in the toilet, that watching TV is so expensive!
You can get a television tuner card for your pc. most come with the software to schedule recordings, set reminders and record series.
This is the card i have...
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3296076&CatId=1427
My video card has dvi out and my tv has dvi in - but then again i have a pc dedicated to media center use.
you could use that card and run an s video cable to your tv.
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3296076&CatId=1427
My video card has dvi out and my tv has dvi in - but then again i have a pc dedicated to media center use.
you could use that card and run an s video cable to your tv.
ASKER
dirt - I forgot to mention - we have an HDTV and would want to watch / record HD shows.
and I'd dedicate this PC to being just the DVR.
some other questions I just realized
I can 'tape' 2 shows at the same time. can this card / a PC do that? and you can tape 1 show / watch another.
does it get channel guide info or is this like a VCR - just enter time and channel?
what's the basic connection scheme? does the cable box feed the PC and that feeds the TV? Or do you split the incoming cable signal to the cable box and to the DVR and then each is a different input on the TV?
IF you do the 2nd setup, the PC doesn't get all the channels, right? not even talking about scrambled premium channels. I am thinking the standard HD channels, and other channels - you still need a cable box to receive them?
Fios said you can't get any channels without their cable box at $x / month. seems they should build that into the lowball price they advertise - here's a low price for a car. but you will need wheels to drive it... that's extra.
I have cablevision and think I can see at least some channels without a box?
and I'd dedicate this PC to being just the DVR.
some other questions I just realized
I can 'tape' 2 shows at the same time. can this card / a PC do that? and you can tape 1 show / watch another.
does it get channel guide info or is this like a VCR - just enter time and channel?
what's the basic connection scheme? does the cable box feed the PC and that feeds the TV? Or do you split the incoming cable signal to the cable box and to the DVR and then each is a different input on the TV?
IF you do the 2nd setup, the PC doesn't get all the channels, right? not even talking about scrambled premium channels. I am thinking the standard HD channels, and other channels - you still need a cable box to receive them?
Fios said you can't get any channels without their cable box at $x / month. seems they should build that into the lowball price they advertise - here's a low price for a car. but you will need wheels to drive it... that's extra.
I have cablevision and think I can see at least some channels without a box?
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ASKER
DAMN! I liked the price on the 1st card!
I wound up signing up with Verizon Fios and they are giving the DVR free for 1st 6 months. buys me some time to debate this with myself.
thanks for your time and info!
I wound up signing up with Verizon Fios and they are giving the DVR free for 1st 6 months. buys me some time to debate this with myself.
thanks for your time and info!
I should also note... i have charter as a cable provider, they may be configured different than your service provider. so what works for me is not guarantee to work for you.
Here's a step by step to turning your pc into a personal video recorder -
http://www.pcworld.com/article/101780/stepbystep_turn_your_pc_into_a_personal_video_recorder.html
Here's a step by step to turning your pc into a personal video recorder -
http://www.pcworld.com/article/101780/stepbystep_turn_your_pc_into_a_personal_video_recorder.html