Anyone have a Tivo

[TexasBushwhacker]

I HATE that cable companies make you lease a DVR. I'd rather just add my own DVR. I was wondering if anyone has or had a TiVo and did you like it. I realize you have to pay monthly or yearly for the TiVo guide but it's still comes out cheaper than leasing a DVR from Comcast. I may not ever get cable, just internet. But it would be nice to be able to record shows.

[OriginalGeek]

1. how handy are ya?

there are a ton of tutorials for building your own DVR. Basically you need a TV source, a TV capture card for your computer (may already have it depending...) and DVR software (some free, some not)and a big ol honkin hard drive (or two).

I have never known anyone who stayed happy with their TiVo - frankly, I didn't even know they were still in business lol. (FUll disclosure - I've only ever known 4 or 5 people who had it and that was in the early days)

As per my username, a computer project like this would appeal to me BUT, in addition to being a geek, I am also lazy and haven't been annoyed enough by my Brighthouse cable/DVR to look into it other than reading about it online.

[Codeine]

2. I had a TiVo ages ago with DirecTV.

Since then I've used a number of DVRs from two cable companies and from ATT Uverse; even a decade later the interface and recording technologies used by the old TiVo system is still leagues ahead of anything else I've used.

In fact, I've yet to use a streaming service that had a comparable interface system. TiVos are really the absolute best for user experience in my opinion.

[TexasBushwhacker]

4. Thanks. Good to know n/t

[Wounded Bear]

3. I used to own a DVR with record function...

that would burn DVD's in various formats, or there are computer cards that will record TV shows too.

Do a little research, you might find what you need. They won't decode the cable signal, of course. For that you still need their box. I think there has been some movement on OTC cable boxes, but I'm not up on the latest there.

[annabanana]

5. I love my TIVO.

It has the most intuitive interface for a DVR that I've ever seen. I get hulu & Netflix & Amazon Prime through it too. All very easy to navigate.

[TexasBushwhacker]

6. Which model do you have? N/t

[annabanana]

7. no idea

I've had the same box for maybe six years, with the lifetime subscription..

[TexasBushwhacker]

8. Gotcha thanks n/t