Might be looking for a good OTA DVR

Well, I went ahead and purchased another OTA DVR:

Amazon.com: Digital Stream DPH1000R HDTV Recorder with Digital Tuner and 250 GB HDD (Black): Electronics

The DVR should arrive by Tuesday.

I already had some buyer's remorse as I clicked the "make purchase" selection.

My need to buy came about last night as my DTVPal DVR goofed up again, on two recordings. While trying to record a program on NBC, the program (not commercials) was muted. Earlier, when taping the season premiere of "Criminal Minds", the DVR taped in "blind mode" (that is with a narrator's voice which is totally distracting while watching the program).

I considered four choices:

1) Just ignore the DTVPal goof ups. It's only OTA TV. So what that I miss a program here or there.

2) Buy the DVR (the choice I made) from Amazon. It lacks some functions of my DTVPal, and some functions are better. Hopefully, it'll be reliable and I'll get used to it. The thing I'll miss most is to just press the "Pause" button to pause LiveTV and quick skip commercials.

3) Upgrade an old PC with Windows Media Center 2005 and buy a tuner+remote, RAM

4) Buy a used PC witn Win7 and WMC included, and buy a tuner + remote.

As they say..To be continued... :blush:. I'll have a better idea if I made the right choice when I play with the purchased DVR a bit.
 
easysurfer said:
Well, I went ahead and purchased another OTA DVR....
Click to expand...

Keep us posted. I want to use something to record OTA broadcasts at home and in our RV so I'm hoping to learn from your experience.
 
My new DVR arrived today. I haven't had a chance to take it out of the box yet. Probably tomorrow is when I'll play around with it. I'll let you know my impressions of it.
 
REWahoo said:
I don't think I've ever seen a wider distribution of customer reviews on any electronic item sold by Amazon:

5 star: 5
4 star: 3
3 star: 3
2 star: 3
1 star: 2

Very interested to hear your input on how it works for you.
Click to expand...

Well, I did go ahead and set up my DVR tonight and gave it a test run. I used it enough to form an overall impression. Of course, I've only owned it for less than 1 day so can't accurately comment on its reliability.

For those interested...here's my impressions:

Overall, my gut says it's 3 out of 5 stars.

If you think of it like an old time VCR that's main job is to record progams off the TV and can handle scheduled recordings, recording only 1 show at a time, and allows you to watch live TV recording a show..then the DVR works. Using the remote to navigate around the screens is a bit cumbersome, but it works.

I haven't used TiVO or Windows Media Center so can't compare the user friendliness to those. I do have my DTVpal DVR and in comparison, navigating using the DTVpal remote is so much easier. Plus the DTVpal has functions like pausing live TV, 30 second skip fwd, skip bwd, two tuners to record two programs at once which the Digital Stream doesn't.

Also, though the Digital Stream mentions that it shows a week's full of program guide info, looking at the guide tonight, it did not. It only showed about 48 hrs worth. I'm not sure if that's all it will show at once or perhaps the guide amount just varies.

If it wasn't for my DTVpal having frustrating flaws (namely, recording muted or in Spanish on some programs) there's be no reason for me to get a new DVR. The function I'll miss most of the DTVpal is pausing live TV, find something to do as the pause is buffering, than skip the commercials when ready to watch.

A couple of features that the Digtal Stream has that the DTVPal does not is the ability to schedule programs (like the old VCRs) to record a program once, Everyday, Mon-Fri, Weekly. Also, (I haven't tried it yet), but I believe one can use the hard drive to "record" from a source like a movie camera or old VCR.

Also for some reason, the Digital Stream uses 24 hour time format which takes a little getting used to.

All in all, I think I'm gonna keep the Digital Stream and try to like it enough as my main DVR. (I'll probably still keep the DTVpal as a backup in case the Digtal Stream konks out). I think it goes down to putting my ducks in line first. That is, shows I watch/record regularly I'll set the DVR to record on a regular basis. That way, the cumbersome remote won't seem so bad.
 
ERD50 said:
This was announced at CES, 'coming Spring 2012':

https://www.simple.tv/getting-started

Though it says $5/month fee, I've read that a basic programming guide is provided for free.

Last time I looked into OTA DVRs, DW was not really interested - she said she can find most of her shows on the internet.

I'd really like to be able to pause/rewind live TV though (I don't watch much TV, but when I do I hate missing stuff). We already have Roku boxes on two TVs, so this might work for us.

-ERD50
Click to expand...

In reading about the Simple TVs, the biggest problem is it is a single tuner.
No one wants a single tuner these days. That means, you can only watch the program you are recording. You can't record one show while watching another. There is a new unit out now. Starts with the letter M, but it is priced in the $700 to $800 category, and when you start comparing it to a home built DVR, you'll get much more for your money putting it together yourself. I have never put a computer together, nor installed Windows on a virgin drive. I've put in a hard drive, and new memory, but that's the extent of it. Don't know how difficult it would be. Wish someone would post a YouTube video on the whole process. I'd like to build one.

I'm currently using a regular computer, but it is big and clunky and want a small factor one for the living room.

DVR's are readily available in all other countries, but the US. Tell me big business doesn't call the shots in the US.
 
Upate...Day 2 of my new DVR :D.

Well, I ended up today getting a universal remote for my new DVR and mapping the keys from the remote that came with my DVR to my new remote. With that, I like my DVR more as the new remote bigger keys for the common used buttons (pause/play, stop, fwd, rew).

If you ever want to get a universal remote, you may wish to try the Logitech Harmony remotes. It doesn't have those cryptic codes but instead uses the computer. Plus, there is a learn option (I needed to use that today) to learn from an orginal remote.

Here's the remote that I got: Amazon.com: Logitech Harmony 300 Remote Control 915-000143: Electronics

I had hoped the remote would create a combination of key entries. But unfortunately it doesn't. I was trying to teach it to simulate a skip forward/backwards 30 seconds, but no such luck. Still all-in-all, the remote worked out pretty well.
 
re: https://www.simple.tv/getting-started

modhatter said:
In reading about the Simple TVs, the biggest problem is it is a single tuner.

No one wants a single tuner these days. That means, you can only watch the program you are recording. You can't record one show while watching another. There is a new unit out now. Starts with the letter M, but it is priced in the $700 to $800 category, ...
Click to expand...

Never say 'never', or 'no one'. I'd be interested, even with just one tuner. I don't watch much TV, but I want to be able to pause, or delay what I do watch.

And at $200, you can buy two and have two tuners, and still be way under that $700 price. I haven't looked into it since that earlier post, I don;t know if it's any good or not, but I'm be interested in finding out.

-ERD50
 
Happy Days Are Here Again!

Well, after doing a little research online I found another remote that offers macro programming. That is, on that remote there are four macro programable keys. The remote was only about $15.

So now the good news...with new remote, I mapped out the keys from my old remote, plus I programmed the functionality to simulate skip forward and skip backward buttons.

Things aren't perfect. Each time I press the macro assigned button, I now need to point my remote to the DVR for about 2 seconds to make sure the macro runs (as opposed to just pointing and giving a quick click on my old DTVpal remote).

Other than that, I'm a very very happy camper again :dance:

It's amazing just restoring the ability to advance a recorded program 30 seconds at a time to skip past commercials makes viewing a lot more pleasant.

p.s. for some reason, I couldn't figure out how to use the remote to power up/down my TV. But I can use my tv remote for that.
 
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With the probably demise of Aereo, I think it might be worth resurrecting this thread. I for one have found a decent indoor antenna and wish to hook up some type of recording device so I can record a show and play it back later in time. Just like I used to do in the days of VCR tape.
 
Well, depending on a few things like improvement in the reliability department, might make this a viable unit for someone on a budget.
However, I would not consider anything less than a 1 TB hard drive for recording, and my preference would be 2 TB. This will add between $100 to $150 to the cost of the unit (you also want a hard drive that plugs into electric source preferably. They can keep up better than just the USB ones. Also, as he mentioned if you need wireless, than another $40 on top of that. I don't like the limited information on the programing that it gives you. Also, the fact that it can't record only the original would pose a problem for me, as much of what I watch is on PBS and they repeat the shows quite frequently.

You would be much happier i think with a a custom made up HTPC, but that will most likely set you back at least $550 even if you have a copy of Windows 7 with Media Center on it. But the Channel Master above unit with hard drive added, is going to be up to $350 at least. I don't know where you live, but where I am in Vegas, there is a computer shop that will assemble any computer you want for a flat $59.95 and you don't have to buy the components from them.

You can get good recommendations on the forum that was mentioned earlier. They will have lots of build suggestions with the final price of components. All you need to do is order the components and bring it to a shop to be put together. It will be a much more capable unit, and one that should last for many years (and that you can upgrade if you want to later). Also if one of the component fails, you can always replace the component in a self build. So these are the things to take into consideration as well as initial cost.

I haven't looked lately, but prices for the components that will work well have probably come down. Heat is a factor that causes problems, so these assembled units have good fans in them to keep them cool. Something that the Channel Master probably doesn't have. First check and see if there are any shops who will assemble a unit for you reasonably where ever you live. If so, I would check out what components will cost you to have one put together yourself.

You will need either Windows 7 with Media Center (no tv recording program in Windows 8) or they have another free program that you can use. Don't remember the name but the forum will probably mention it. Once you start reading on the forum you will get the gist of it. Some people are really into it, and make up super duper units to play games now and in the distant far out future. Others are just looking for a good basic recording device. You can use a computer, but if you want it to look nice in your living space, you probably would want a case that lays the other way and looks more like a DVR. You can also use a laptop, but if you do a lot of recording with it, you might have heat issues. I record on my laptop while I'm away, with it hooked up to a Leaf Antenna. But at home, I have a full size one hooked up to outside antenna.
 
Actually, I'm going to answer myself. Been doing some reading on Amazon and another site about the new Channel Master. And despite some of it's limitations, it seems that most are very happy with it. I still recommend a min. 1 TB hard drive though. A number of people are using the portable drives it seems. They will not last as long, and if you have the room for a full size one with electric plug, I think you will be happier in the end. But for the price, it might be a good choice.
 
This looks interesting. For $37 I'm very tempted, since I could re-purpose an old hard drive for it to test it out.

Amazon.com: Mediasonic HW-150PVR HomeWorx ATSC Digital TV Converter Box with Media Player and Recording PVR Function/HDMI Out (Black): Electronics

Homeworx HW-150PVR, Support and Discussion - AVS Forum

A basic unit, just one tuner (all you can expect at this price) - but it sounds like it does a decent job with 'pause in Live TV' mode. I really want that feature, the one thing I hate about live OTA TV is missing something when I have to take attention away from the TV (like when cooking, or any other multi-tasking, plus the inevitable bathroom break).

No subscription, but that also limits you to the OTA guide. Not as flexible, but I don't plan on recording all that much.

Reviews look pretty good overall.

I also like the concept of the Simple.TV - you run your antenna cable to it, plug in your own hard drive, and an ethernet cable to your router, and then you pick it up on any TV in the house with a ROKU box. But it sounds like it is still very quirky, higher % of 1 star reviews, and more $ @ $120.

Amazon.com: Simple.tv Network Tuner DVR with Lifetime Premier Subscription: Electronics


Any feedback on these items?

-ERD50
 
Once you use the pause live tv it's easy to get hooked. I'm surprised that I haven't used the pause as much than I think. Probably that's because I end up sitting in front of my computer and just record the whole program to watch later.

Is there a skip forward button on the Homeworx? The OTA DVR I have now as that feature, (press once, skip a preset amount..like 1 min or I can set that to 30 secs for football season to skip the huddle and just watch the plays). That feature spoils me.
 
easysurfer said:
Once you use the pause live tv it's easy to get hooked. I'm surprised that I haven't used the pause as much than I think. Probably that's because I end up sitting in front of my computer and just record the whole program to watch later.

Is there a skip forward button on the Homeworx? The OTA DVR I have now as that feature, (press once, skip a preset amount..like 1 min or I can set that to 30 secs for football season to skip the huddle and just watch the plays). That feature spoils me.
Click to expand...

From the reviews, it appears you can only FF through commercials, no dedicated 'skip 30S, 1Min' type controls.

Maybe with a learning remote, one could create something close (like if FF is 8x, set a key to FF for ~ 3.5 Sec, then back to 'play'? I assume learning remotes have delay capability?), or just fiddle with the FF to come close? Plus, they do seem to be responding to some customer input, so maybe this feature will be added in the future, but it seems pretty basic to the whole concept of PVR/DVR.

-ERD50
 
ERD50 said:
From the reviews, it appears you can only FF through commercials, no dedicated 'skip 30S, 1Min' type controls.

Maybe with a learning remote, one could create something close (like if FF is 8x, set a key to FF for ~ 3.5 Sec, then back to 'play'? I assume learning remotes have delay capability?), or just fiddle with the FF to come close? Plus, they do seem to be responding to some customer input, so maybe this feature will be added in the future, but it seems pretty basic to the whole concept of PVR/DVR.

-ERD50
Click to expand...

I had a previous DVR without the dedicated skips settings but did use a learning remote to do the best to simulated a FF by trial and error. That that wasn't exact and not as instant, the settings actually worked pretty well. I didn't get rid of that DVR because of the no dedicated skipping.
 
Thanks ERD, I think many of us will be waiting for your thought on this device.

I almost bought a Channel Master DVR+ but the $250 price just was too much especially in light of the fact that one still has to have a hard drive to be able to record more than a few hours of programs.
 
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Chuckanut said:
Thanks ERD, I think many of us will be waiting for your thought so this device.

I almost bought a Channel Master DVR+ but the $250 price just was too much especially in light of the fact that one still has to a a hard drive to be able to record more than a few hours of programs.
Click to expand...

Yes, for the $37 versus $250, I figured it's worth a try. I also considered the whole Myth-TV route and a Tuner like Silicon Dust, but I'm just not that into TV to get too excited about the complexity of setting that up, though the challenge should appeal to me. But it just doesn't for some reason.

-ERD50
 
ERD50 said:
Well, I did a bit more research and I just ordered it, so I'll report back when I've spent some time with it.
-ERD50
Click to expand...

Quick Product Review: I bought the Amazon.com: Mediasonic HW-150PVR HomeWorx ATSC Digital TV Converter Box with Media Player and Recording PVR Function/HDMI Out (Black): Electronics ...and give it a thumbs-up. :)

It's cheap ($40 on Amazon with tax); works with my old 150G USB drive and 16GB USB flash drive; and finds all my OTA (HD and SD) channels. I pass-through the antenna signal, and use the HDMI output to drive my television. Also seems to pause live TV pretty well. Only one tuner.

But--the manual is very poor, and it took be 2 hours to explore and test its features. Seems to need about 1 GB for each 10 minutes of HD. Much less for SD.

This is best described as a 'modern' VCR recorder--you essentially pick a channel and time to record, and it does it. One time saving feature is that the 12 hr look ahead schedule allows you to select one of those scheduled programs, and schedule a once, daily, weekly recording. Just like the old VCRs.

Good luck, but don't ask me for help recording programs!
 
easysurfer said:
How did it go with the device?

I was looking at video review on Amazon by a guy about a similar product
and he seemed pleased with that.

Amazon.com: Customer Reviews: Viewtv At-163 ATSC Digital TV Converter Box and Media Player w/ Recording PVR Function / HDMI Out / Coaxial Out / Composite Out / USB Input
Click to expand...

I'll let you know - this was one of the rare, slow-to-ship orders from Amazon, should be here Monday.



edit - small update to my update: It actually was sitting on the front porch this afternoon (Saturday). But we have a house full of guests tomorrow, and I still haven't freed up and formatted a hard drive to use with it, so it probably will be next week before I get a chance to do much anyhow.


But that's OK, my other 'toy', the Acer Tablet from Rakuten came in just one day (shipped from a nearby Chicago warehouse). So that's kept me busy. I plan on a fuller review of that later also - short story, for $130 ($123 and free shipping, but collected ~ $7 in IL sales tax), better than the $300-$400 iPad in many ways (HDMI out, SDCARD, USB micro charging, GPS, plus I prefer Android to IOS), but the screen and camera are not as good as iPad. Screen is fine for me, camera fine for casual use, but marginal for using as a scanner or magnifier, where I was super impressed with the clarity from the iPad. So from the screen and camera, 'you get what you pay for', but I'm very impressed with everything else.

8" 16GB Android 4.2 Grey - Rakuten.com Shopping

-ERD50
 
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