Inexpensive DVR suggestions

Keep in mind that, in addition to HD vs. SD, if you have anything besides the basic cable plan, you'll probably need a Cablecard to record the extended cable channels. Otherwise, you'll be stuck with whatever Cablevision provides in unscrambled analog or in Clear QAM.

Cablevision may charge for renting the Cablecards from them. Rental charges could be around $5 per card, and you'll probably need 2 (1 for each channel you want to be able to watch/record simultaneously).

Doing some research, it looks like Switched Digital Video (SDV) may be an issue if you go with a non-Cablevision DVR:
http://www.broadbandreports.com/forum/r21977257-Cablevision-HD-T...

marsilies said: Also, with any non-Cablevision DVR, you'll lose the On Demand features.

Is this right?

I don't have cablevision (I have comcast) but I would have thought the concept was the same

I stuck a splitter on my incoming coax... one goes to my comcast set-top-box and one goes to RF In on my DVDR. I can record the basic channels directly on the DVDR and the extended channels via a line-out from the STB to a line-in on the DVDR

So basically, I can record a basic channel while watching another one, but if I want to record an extended channel, the STB has to be tuned to it. OnDemand works fine too

legzakimbo said: marsilies said: Also, with any non-Cablevision DVR, you'll lose the On Demand features.

Is this right?

I don't have cablevision (I have comcast) but I would have thought the concept was the same

I stuck a splitter on my incoming coax... one goes to my comcast set-top-box and one goes to RF In on my DVDR. I can record the basic channels directly on the DVDR and the extended channels via a line-out from the STB to a line-in on the DVDR

So basically, I can record a basic channel while watching another one, but if I want to record an extended channel, the STB has to be tuned to it. OnDemand works fine too
Your arrangement would work for someone with a Cablevision settop box and a DVR, but I didn't think that's what comptalk had in mind, since he'd then probably be paying for a settop box rental, which is probably, at best, $5 cheaper than renting the DVR.

The main appeal of a DVR is its dual-tuners and constant recording features. I can watch one channel while recording another, or watch a recorded show while recording two other shows. Your setup limits the DVR's ability to record multiple channels.

marsilies said: marsilies said: Also, with any non-Cablevision DVR, you'll lose the On Demand features....since he'd then be paying for a settop box rental, which is probably, at best, $5 cheaper than renting the DVR...Comcast supplies ONE 'Full-Featured SD' STB (i.e. Motorola DCT-700) and TWO 'Dumb SD' DTAs (i.e. Pace DC-50X or Thomson DCI-1011) *FREE* (ala at the same total price the user was paying for 'Extended Basic').

I added the code to control the Pace and Thomson with my ReplayTV 5xxxs from a file on AVS Forum (and now on JP1 Forum). The Motorola uses standard (already built-in) Motorola codes.

I use an old RadioShack Audio/Video Switcher with TWO Composite OUTs to feed both one ReplayTV and my Magnavox DVDR from the DCT-700 simultaneously. When I want to record from 'On-Demand' onto the DVDR (to eventually burn to DVD), I unplug the IR Blaster from the ReplayTV (to disable channel changing - if any 'above channel 20' shows are scheduled to record, it records the 'On-Demand' show instead so you have to plan ahead).

I feed 'below channel 20' into the ReplayTV via RF and 'above channel 20' via Line 1 (Composite).

I feed 'Clear QAM' in the Magnavox DVDR via RF and 'On-Demand' via Line 1 (Composite).

I'm still using CRTs to view.

I 'experimented' this past weekend (wife was away so I could borrow the 'test' LCD from the bedroom) recording live golf from CBS-HD (1080i) and live basketball from ABC-HD (720p) onto the Magnavox 2160A DVDR @ SP and then playing back to my 'test' Sylvania LC195SLX 19" LCD TV via composite, s-video and component and the results were disappointing. HD via RF (1080i and 720p) looks fine; SD via RF (480i) looks fine; so I expected SD via component (480p) to look the same - it didn't.

I'm hoping that it's a crappy scaler in the Sylvania.

ellory said: I'm impressed. I'm hoping for the "Dummies Guide" when TakeTheActive is done"Dummies Guide" to what?

BTW, what's holding up your participation in:

• {Research | Comparison | Discussion} Media Players / Streamers?

(Still getting 10+ VIEWS per day though... 1073 views / 31 days old / 8 GREEN )

comptalk said: Everything on Cablevision is HD now. There is no more SD. Have a Sony Bravia 34 in.So, you answered my last question - what about the other two???

comptalk said: Spend as little as possible. Since no SD, have to record in HD.Then TiVo HD w/Lifetime it is...

I disagree that Clear QAM days are limited. One of the few places it has disappeared is in NYC and Cablevision(CV) was only able to get a waiver to do it there because of the theft of service problem. Except for NYC and soon Bridgeport, CT, even analog is still available on CV, but I doubt for long. However, once you get used to HD, you probably don't want a DVR that uses an analog tuner. I have a number of DVRs that have analog tuners ( two different RCA models, two different Panasonic models, and the previously mentioned Toshiba RS-TX20 - good luck trying to find a used model for $100) and the picture quality is OK for a small screen but not for 32" or above) I also have two with digital ATSC and clear QAM tuners ( a Polaroid, and the Magnavox 2160A). The best of all is the Magnavox 2160A and one of the few non-TiVo units still being sold new (at WalMart for about $239). Clear QAM on the Magnavox works well. The OTA ATSC tuner ( the clear QAM is worthless on the Polaroid) gives a nice picture on the Polaroid ( refurbs might still be available at J&R), but it has a number of other problems. Unless you want to pay a TiVo subscription fee, the only real option to record HD is a Windows Media Center PC ( preferably Windows 7 because you need to jump through hoops to configure Vista to record QAM since MS doesn't officially support it).

marsilies said: Your arrangement would work for someone with a Cablevision settop box and a DVR, but I didn't think that's what comptalk had in mind, since he'd then be paying for a settop box rental, which is probably, at best, $5 cheaper than renting the DVR.

ah, yes. good point, you're absolutely right

TakeTheActive said: marsilies said: ...since he'd then be paying for a settop box rental, which is probably, at best, $5 cheaper than renting the DVR...Comcast supplies ONE 'Full-Featured SD' STB (i.e. Motorola DCT-700) and TWO 'Dumb SD' DTAs (i.e. Pace DC-50X or Thomson DCI-1011) *FREE* (ala at the same total price the user was paying for 'Extended Basic').
OK, but the OP has Cablevision. Cablevision may or may not charge for a STB, but it's something for the OP to look into and consider.

ZenNUTS said: ClearnQAM is dead with Comcrap, son of a... this forces everyone to pay through the nose for DVR. I also hate having to deal with the stupid remote and having to turn on multiple devices just to watch TV.
Can't help on the Clear QAM front, but as for the remote and "turning on multiple devices just to watch TV," you should look into buying a Logitech Harmony remote, which will turn on all the devices for you when you choose "Watch TV," for instance.

Silicondust will be releasing an M-Card supported version this year. Add this to a simple HTPC and you won't even need the cable box.
http://www.silicondust.com/

My Setup:
I've got two ReplayTvs on Comcast. I'm using IR blasters to DTAs. These are SD only.
I bought these years ago with lifetime service so they don't cost me anything extra per month. The eBay price of these items have dropped a lot since people want HD.

I've also got a Comcast DVR for HD content. I also have a Acer Revo running XBMC for local/downloaded/online/streaming content. With a HTPC you can do Hulu, Netflix, and a bunch of other online sites. I've been using the online sites more and I'm seriously considering mostly dumping cable (just basic) and doing internet only.