DVR for OTA

[kittyhas1000legs]

I was going through my pile of recorded shows and it got me wondering: what do you guys (and gals) use to record OTA shows? I have my computer set up as our DVR, and it uses the TV for the monitor. It's a pretty good setup so far, but I was wondering what other options there might be.

My setup:
-AMD Phenom II X4 955 CPU, 3.2GHz
-8GB RAM
-nVidia GeForce 9600GT 1GB
-Windows 7 Pro running Windows Media Center to watch/record OTA
-too many hard drives, using a 2TB Samsung drive for backup and TV recordings
-32" 720p Sylvania-branded tv, manufactured by Funai (native resolution 1366x768)
-Hauppauge WinTV HVR-950q USB tuner, supports NTSC/ATSC/ClearQAM
-cheap VHF/UHF antenna from Ocean State Job Lot for $20, don't remember the brand

Also, does anyone have recommendations for editing the .wtv files that WMC records? Apparently it's a proprietary Microsoft format. I could use the WinTV software to record regular MPEG files, but it's flaky at best.

 

[mike123abc]

I use a TiVo. Nice prepackaged option, can find them on ebay with lifetime, the series 3 ones you can replace the HD pretty easy to get a lot of recording time.

 

[osu1991]

I was using both a Sony DHG HDD250 and a DTV Pal Dvr for OTA, but just the Pal now since Rovio listings are no longer available as of last week for the Sony. I got a lot of use out of it. I hate to get rid of working equipment, but since Rovio is no longer providing listings it is nothing more than a glorified tuner now. May have to be on the look out for another Pal dvr now.

 

[Kraven]

Chanel master has a nice dual tuner OTA DVR. I feel its a bit pricey but the reviews are fantastic

Cheers, K

 

[zepol_wube]

So are there any other OTA DVR dual tuner devices out there besides the Channel Master 7400 for North America?

Owner of a recently dead Dishpal DVR Echostar TR50.

 

[zepol_wube]

Can something like the Dish DuoDVR® ViP 722k be used in OTA mode without a subscription?

 

[Tampa8]

No.

 

[jayn_j]

Can something like the Dish DuoDVR® ViP 722k be used in OTA mode without a subscription?

Nope. It won't work without a dish connected, and DISH will periodically send out a signal to disable it.

As mentioned earlier, a used TIVO HD or Premiere/Premiere XL with lifetime is a definite option, and the one I use.

The big issue with an OTA DVR is obtaining the guide data.

 

[mike123abc]

So are there any other OTA DVR dual tuner devices out there besides the Channel Master 7400 for North America?

Owner of a recently dead Dishpal DVR Echostar TR50.

See if you can pick up a cheap used TiVo HD on ebay with lifetime subscription activated on it. They are dual tuner and with lifetime no monthly fees.

 

[boba]

Can something like the Dish DuoDVR® ViP 722k be used in OTA mode without a subscription?

NO NO NO NO

No matter how many time this question is asked DISH does not provide a free OTA DVR.