Looking for a Non-subscription DVR

[HeyEK!]

I'm looking for a recommendation on a non-subscription DVR that I can use to capture cable in standard and high def. I'd also like to use it to capture video from my camcorder. Finally, I'd like to be able to pull the video off digitally. Any good suggestions? Thanks in advance. - EK

[usually_quiet]

A Windows 7 HTPC with a CableCARD tuner or Hauppauge HD PVR (USB) or Hauppauge Colossus HD PVR is as close as you are going to get to what you want, unless you can find a used TiVo HD recorder that includes a lifetime subscription. There have been several recent threads on this subject (if you care to use the site's search feature you will find them), but what you want simply does not exist in the USA.

[HeyEK!]

Any reason why is this the case? Is it from the fear of lawsuits?

Maybe I should try and repair my old ReplayTV, or do you think an HTPC, or Haupauge box would give me better functionality in the long run?

The following links popped up in the similar threads box under your reply:
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/303921-need-dvr-without-subscription-plan
https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/203008-Subscription-less-DVR

I did a search for DVR and the most recent thread result was from 2005. So, If you can point me to other good threads I'd appreciate it. Thanks for your help.

PS I expect to use my digital cable box.

[usually_quiet]

Read these recent threads

https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/287803-No-Subsciption-free-DVR-DVD-Recorder-Combo-i...=1#post2047554

https://forum.videohelp.com/threads/331120-Want-a-DVR-without-box-rental-fees?p=2053136

It isn't fear of lawsuits to any great extent.

If you love tinkering with computers, maybe you will love using an HTPC. Otherwise, no.

[yoda313]

As far as the hd part you can do it from over the air high def with any atsc tuner card and its included software.

For hd cable you can only do that with a hd cable package and either a cablecard or cable dvr with component out and a hauppauge hdpvr (it records high def with component cables - analog in realtime).

The others have mentioned the basics too.

[usually_quiet]

I was short on time, so I didn't write much before. Here's a better explanation.

The reasons for the lack of recorders are technical and economic in nature. Only your local channels are required to by law be provided unencrypted, so most cable providers choose to encrypt the majority of their other digital offerings, especially HD channels. A CableCARD is the only way for third-party devices to have direct access to the encrypted channels. Adding CableCARD support to a device is costly. The required hardware itself is not cheap, plus the device and any software used have to pass an expensive certification performed by Cable Labs. That is why there are so few devices available that use CableCARD.

You should be aware that CableCARDs are addressable have to be activated by the cable provider to function in their network. Cable providers won't permit you to use a CableCARD that did not come from them and is not tied to your account, so don't even think about buying a cableco DVR from eBay or a garage sale.

The other part of the equation is the lack of standardized free guide data for PVR-style scheduling. Cable providers don't make theirs available in a standard format, and other sources of guide data would want to be paid something if a commercial product used their service.

If you have analog service and the only HD channels provided in your cable package are locals, you might be able to use a PC with PVR software plus a NTSC/ATSC/QAM tuner to record those, instead of a CableCARD tuner. I say "might" because PC tuners often require a stronger signal than your TV or cable box. Sometimes cable amplifiers will boost a marginal signal enough to make them work well, but that is not always the case. Also, cable companies have a habit of re-assigning channels to new frequencies from time to time, and when they do, it is necessary to re-scan channels and set up PVR software again.

The Hauppauge HD PVR (USB) or Hauppauge Colossus HD PVR are other PC options for recording cable, but they need to be connected to an HD cable box or HD DVR, which acts as an external tuner.

If you can live with timer recordings (no program guide) of your analog channels and your clear QAM locals in SD, one of the recent Magnavox DVD recorders (MDR513H/F7 or MDR515H/F7) with a hard disk would be another option.