HD DVR Recommendations
http://live.pirillo.com/ – Should you get a dedicated HD PVR or install an HD TV Tuner for your computer?
The advantage of a PVR/DVR is that it’s a set top box that you can take it anywhere and plug it into your television. You’re generally limited with what you can do with the media files, but if you’re only looking for DVR functionality, this is the route to go.
The advantage of a TV tuner allows you to watch TV on your computer and, in some cases, record that video to your PC and then transfer those video files to your other machines. You’ll need space in your computer for this, and the recordings can take up several gigabytes of space. If you’re always on the computer, and don’t really have time to sit down and formally watch TV, this might be the solution for you.
If you don’t have any space in your computer, and you’re always on the go, you may think about picking up a PC TV HD Stick from Pinnacle – it’s an over -the-air HDTV tuner than connects to a Windows PC via an open USB port. This allows you to watch HDTV on any Windows machine.
You have a lot of options – what you decide to do is based on what you’ll be doing with your media.
Do you have any advice?
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2 Comments
Paul Sherman
July 2nd, 2007
at 5:47am
I’ve been looking for about 6 months, when my old VCR started collapsing. So far, I haven’t found anything worth spending the money on. My caveats – I don’t have cable or satelite TV signals, strictly other-the-air (OTA).
The closest so far is going with an ATSC tuner on my PC ($129), then uploading to a media box (there’s a few, running $400 and up) to then display on my HDTV. We’re looking at $550 to record 3-4 shows a week. Doesn’t seem worth it…
I may go with a dual tuner Tivo, paying the subscription for two years (even though I won’t be able to use it). Cost about $400 that way.
Still looking for better alternatives…
Paul Sherman
July 2nd, 2007
at 5:47am
I’ve been looking for about 6 months, when my old VCR started collapsing. So far, I haven’t found anything worth spending the money on. My caveats – I don’t have cable or satelite TV signals, strictly other-the-air (OTA).
The closest so far is going with an ATSC tuner on my PC ($129), then uploading to a media box (there’s a few, running $400 and up) to then display on my HDTV. We’re looking at $550 to record 3-4 shows a week. Doesn’t seem worth it…
I may go with a dual tuner Tivo, paying the subscription for two years (even though I won’t be able to use it). Cost about $400 that way.
Still looking for better alternatives…