Standalone DVR

AsSiMiLaTeD
AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,726
edited February 2010 in The Clubhouse
It's not for me, I'm all set with my TiVo boxes.

I have someone who gets channels over the air (no cable service) and wants a DVR. TiVo won't work because they don't want to pay the monthly fee. They don't care about the program guide, they just want to record by date and time.

I personally think it's retarded, but whatever, not my decision.

Do you guys know of anything out there besides a VCR that will do the trick:

- No Monthly subscription fees
- Can tune over the air channels, so no cable or satellite
- HD would be nice, but not mandatory
- Not a VCR
- Something that records to DVD would work as long as you can write over the discs, so that you're not using a new disc each time
- Needs to be a standalone device, a tuner card in a PC isn't going to do the trick

Anything come to mind for any of you, I'm drawing a blank on this one.

Thanks
Post edited by AsSiMiLaTeD on
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Comments

  • swegyptian
    swegyptian Posts: 316
    edited February 2010
    Yup, DVRPal. Basically a converter box that outputs HD and has a DVR built in. Really neat product, but can be hard to find (always seems to be on backorder). Check with a dish network retailer, as its made by echostar.
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  • swegyptian
    swegyptian Posts: 316
    edited February 2010
    Oh, and LG also has a DVD recorder with a digital tuner, called the RC897T. No hard drive, but could be programmed to record to disc.
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  • BlueFox
    BlueFox Posts: 15,251
    edited February 2010
    Tivo let's you manaully setup recording time and channel just like a VCR. I don't think the program guide is needed for that operation.
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  • billbillw
    billbillw Posts: 6,724
    edited February 2010
    If they were willing to have the signal come through a PC, they could use something like one of the ATI TV Wonder products or the Hauppauge products. Both of them have free DVR software. Honestly though, they are still so glitchy, I'd much rather pay $10/month for Tivo HD. In fact, I do, for two boxes. Still much cheaper than Directv or Comcast.
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  • AsSiMiLaTeD
    AsSiMiLaTeD Posts: 11,726
    edited February 2010
    BlueFox wrote: »
    Tivo let's you manaully setup recording time and channel just like a VCR. I don't think the program guide is needed for that operation.
    Yeah, but I don't think you can buy a TiVo box through them without at least a year subscription.
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  • wayne3burk
    wayne3burk Posts: 939
    edited February 2010
    I'm using a Phillips 160GB DVDR3575H it's DVD DVR recorder. It records to DVD or HD and plays DVDs with 1080p HDMI upconversion.

    review on CNET

    Where to buy -- Google Products

    I'm using mine with straight Cable and use the SDTV built in tuner for channel selecting
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  • wayne3burk
    wayne3burk Posts: 939
    edited February 2010
    p.s. I have mine programmed to record House on mondays, NCIS on tuesdays, Bones on Wednesday, Greys anatomy on Thursday, and Medium and Numbers on Fridays.

    The big drawback is there is no battery backup for the memory, that is, if you lose power you have to reprogram the date and time and reprogram your recording schedule.
    Yamaha RX-V2700, EMI 711As (front), RCA K-16 (rear), Magnavox Console (Center & TV Stand), Sony SMP-N200 media streamer, Dual 1249 TT =--- Sharp Aquas 60" LCD tellie
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  • Serendipity
    Serendipity Posts: 6,975
    edited February 2010
    Panasonic DMR series or the Toshiba HDD/DVD recorders.

    I have a Panasonic DMR-E95HS.
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    Front projection, 2 channel, car audio... life is good!
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