Any of you have a digital video recorder?

[zzyzzx]

I'm thinking about buying a digital video recorder to replace an aging VCR. It needs to have a tuner that get over the air digitalTV ATSC. Mostly these things are TIVO or Direct TV type of things, but I hate monthly fees. So far the only one I have found is this one:
LG Electronics LST-3410A 120GB HDTV Digital Video Recorder/Receiver with ATSC/NTSC/Clear QAM Tuner.

However I am not sure if they even still make this or if there are any others that are not TIVO.

[Conquest10]

That thing is $450. You'd rather pay that than $5 a month? Comcast's DVR is only $5 a month.

[Dv8ted2]

I have one through my satellite company. It works on two tv's.

[zzyzzx]

That thing is $450. You'd rather pay that than $5 a month? Comcast's DVR is only $5 a month.

Yes. I'd much rather not have a monthly fee. And I don't believe that anything from Comcast costs $5/month either.

[yoda313]

I knew I remembered seeing an add for a no-monthly-fee dvr Here you go:

http://www.bestbuy.com/site/olspage.jsp?skuId=7384289&type=product&productCategoryId=c...=1122654250432


LG Progressive-Scan Multiformat DVD-R/-RW/+R DL/+R/+RW Recorder w/160GB Hard Drive - Silver

Model: LRM-519



Product Details

Warranty Terms - Parts 1 year limited

Warranty Terms - Labor 90 days limited

Product Height 2-3/8"

Product Width 17"

Product Weight 11.2 lbs.

Product Depth 11-7/8"

Hard Drive Capacity 160GB

Electronic Programming Guide 14 day

Service Fee None

Optical Digital Audio Outputs 1

Coaxial Digital Audio Outputs 1

Composite Video Outputs 1

Composite Video Inputs 1

Audio Outputs 1

S-Video Inputs 1

S-Video Outputs 1

RF Input 1

Component Video Outputs 1

5.1-Channel Output Yes

IEEE 1394 FireWire Port No

DVI Outputs No

Remote Control Type Universal


----------------------------------------

It uses a microsoft tv guide service. No monthly fee

[Doramius]

Get an ATI ALL-IN-WONDER or TV WONDER. You can get a REALLY good one & a 300GB HDD for less than the costs you're all talking about; And all brand new items. It also has a pretty good Guide system and comes with a remote.

If you have PCI Express on your PC and are willing to pay $450 for a DVR system anyway, the ATI X1900 AIW is a great card to use with a $200GB HDD. WARNING: It's a LONG card.

[zzyzzx]

The DVR's do seem a bit expensive when compared to the PC card option yes. The problem with that is that I'd still have to make a VCD or DVD out of it to watch on my regular TV. I'm beginning to think that if I bought in now I'd be an early adopter and I may as well wait. Still the LG thing for $500 is tempting though. Too bad I can't see it in the store first. There is another model that doesn't have the built in DVD burner for $420 also. That's at Circuit City or maybe only Circuit City online, or something.

[SquirrelDip]

I have the Zenith ZRH-516 (Zenith is owned by LG), paid $350 CDN about a year ago. Haven't seen it since but probably much cheaper if you can find one now.

Overall, I am very happy with it - it has a few quirks such as you can't create a recurring program... Plays Divx/Xvid without problems.

I originally was putting together a PC based PVR but quickly came to realize that only I would use it - wife has issues with using computers for appliances so had to find a stand alone unit...

[Treebeard]

my solution was a HTPC running windows MCE. the interface is easy enough for anybody to use and I picked up a MCE remote so no need for keyboard/mouse

[Doramius]

my solution was a HTPC running windows MCE. the interface is easy enough for anybody to use and I picked up a MCE remote so no need for keyboard/mouse

It all culminates back to the fact it'll be about the same cost or cheaper to do the HTPC. You'll get more use out of it that way.