TIVO alternative?

[dieselstation]

So my gf wants Tivo.. but i'm not too happy about spending $799 for the box, and then $13/mth on top of that. What are my options for alternatives? She's in a dorm at UCLA and she has cable tv. Is Tivo basically the same thing as a DVR?

1. Is it possible to use any cable tv DVR box as an alternative? If so, can i just buy any DVR box and hook it up and it'll work with her dorm's cable tv?
2. Perhaps build a mini computer with tv tuner card and run some type of software? What software? what about the remote?
3. Are there cheaper Tivo like boxes out there?

 

[KLin]

You'll have to lease a DVR from the cable company.

 

[Reel]

If you don't need HD, look into MythTV. If you are a linux geek or want to learn some, the stress of setting it up will be not so bad. I currently run a MythTV system and I am awaiting an HD-DVR cable box from Comcast. I am not sure if it will replace my Myth system.

 

[amdskip]

BeyondTV is what you want. Runs on windows and is easy to use. Set it up and you don't have to mess with it. There is no monthly cost, just the cost of tv card $50-70 and the beyondTV software (http://www.snapstream.com). You can use a Firefly remote too if you'd like (I use one). PM me if you have any questions.

 

[MrBond]

The $800 Tivo is the Series 3 HD model. If your girlfriend doesn't have an HDTV or the cable coming into her dorm room isn't digital (I doubt it is), then the Series 3 will be a waste of money.

A Dual Tuner Series 2 isn't all that expensive ($100 after MIR), it will probably be the simplest DVR solution since you can't just rent one from the cable company.

There's the MythTV option, but unless you have the hardware laying around, you'll probably spend more than you would on a Tivo and a couple years service.

 

[loup garou]

Text

 

[dieselstation]

Originally posted by: loup garou
Text

oooh... thanks! i guess i can live with this price. or... Even Better

 

[scttgrd]

Go to the source.
http://www.tivo.com/2.0.boxdetails.asp?box=series280hrDvr

 

[doze]

The cheapest tivo you can find will save you a whole of headaches from your girl after she gets annoyed with a linux PC, tv tuner etc... suggested earlier in the thread.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: dieselstation

Originally posted by: loup garou
Text

oooh... thanks! i guess i can live with this price. or... Even Better

I just got the dual-tuner model a few weeks ago. It's really nice, and it's so easy that my wife figured out how to use it without me teaching her and without her looking at the manual.

If you buy it, don't buy from TiVo. The box price is cheaper from TiVo but the monthly fee is more expensive. Instead, buy the TiVo from a retailer like Circuit City or Buy.com. You will pay a bit more for the box, but the service will be cheaper. I paid up front for a 3-year contract. It cost $299, which works out to about $8.30 a month.

Another option is the TiVo unit with DVD burner. It plays DVD movies, records TV, and can burn TV shows to DVD. You can only record one show at a time though. This might be a good option because it's not complicated. TV + DVD TiVo and you're all set!

 

[NickelTitanium]

tivo is still the best.

 

[scttgrd]

Directivo is the best. Hope they bring it back.