Couldn't you have achieved the same thing with a current era Tivo?
With cablecard, it should be able to patch right into your cable feed (so you're not limited to non-encrypted digital cable).
With a network link, and software, you can have it export content to any computer on that network.
You get full DVR capability.
If you export the files, you could probably do the same anti-commercial crunching. (and, speaking of that: what are you using to remove the commercials? Something automated, or are you doing it by hand?)
Tivos have a number of problems-- don't get me wrong, I liked my DirectTivo when I had it, but:
1) Unless something's changed, standard Tivos are single-tuner. 2) Tivos cost more. 3) Tivos require a subscription to keep running.
I'm using EyeTV's Comskipper plug-in to chomp commercials. And double-checking by hand, but it's a lot easier and quicker than trying to find the commercials myself.
1) The current edition Tivo is the "Tivo Premier", which is all dual tuner (two models, the XL doubles the storage and adds THX). They basically don't make a single tuner model anymore.
2) as little as $0
3) yes, $20/mo, in varying lengths of commitment to monthly service (thus the $0 price + $20/mo for 2 years, but that's only offered for the non-XL model). or, for a little more up front, $13/mo ($300 for the non-XL, $500 for the XL, both with a 1 year $13/mo commitment). See this link for the pricing:
They also have various other add-ons now (built in Netflix viewer, Youtube, Pandora, Blockbuster, Amazon-Video, etc.; everything EXCEPT Hulu Plus, it looks like).
I've been considering getting one at the $0 level. The Comcast DVRs _suck_ ... and they also have a monthly fee, so I'm fine replacing that monthly fee with the Tivo monthly fee.
This setup has no monthly fee and the cost delta between what I had and what I built was about $100. ($90 for the device, $10 for cabling.)
Now, if you don't already have infrastructure, I think the Tivo is an exceptional idea, and even still I've not met a better DVR in terms of easy usability and delivering the total package. I really liked the one I had back when I had DirecTV, even though DirecTiVos weren't nearly as hackable.
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With cablecard, it should be able to patch right into your cable feed (so you're not limited to non-encrypted digital cable).
With a network link, and software, you can have it export content to any computer on that network.
You get full DVR capability.
If you export the files, you could probably do the same anti-commercial crunching. (and, speaking of that: what are you using to remove the commercials? Something automated, or are you doing it by hand?)
Reply
1) Unless something's changed, standard Tivos are single-tuner.
2) Tivos cost more.
3) Tivos require a subscription to keep running.
I'm using EyeTV's Comskipper plug-in to chomp commercials. And double-checking by hand, but it's a lot easier and quicker than trying to find the commercials myself.
Reply
2) as little as $0
3) yes, $20/mo, in varying lengths of commitment to monthly service (thus the $0 price + $20/mo for 2 years, but that's only offered for the non-XL model). or, for a little more up front, $13/mo ($300 for the non-XL, $500 for the XL, both with a 1 year $13/mo commitment). See this link for the pricing:
https://www3.tivo.com/store/premiere.do
They also have various other add-ons now (built in Netflix viewer, Youtube, Pandora, Blockbuster, Amazon-Video, etc.; everything EXCEPT Hulu Plus, it looks like).
I've been considering getting one at the $0 level. The Comcast DVRs _suck_ ... and they also have a monthly fee, so I'm fine replacing that monthly fee with the Tivo monthly fee.
Reply
Now, if you don't already have infrastructure, I think the Tivo is an exceptional idea, and even still I've not met a better DVR in terms of easy usability and delivering the total package. I really liked the one I had back when I had DirecTV, even though DirecTiVos weren't nearly as hackable.
Reply
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