My dad still uses VHS to tape golf or football or whatever show he cant catch. This is unacceptable.
Would it be easier/cheaper/better to make something like this or just buy one?
I am sure there are how-to’s out there but whats best one to follow? or which is the best dvr if I shouldnt bother making one?
budget is like $200
How does he get his TV? Cable, satellite, fios or over the air?
If it’s anything but over the air take that $200 and pay for him to get a DVR from his provider. Basic DVR service is between 5 and 7 a month from the providers I’ve been with. That’s over 2 years of DVR service for $200. It will be far easier to use and more reliable than anything you’re going to make. You have to remember that your dad has to use this, and any home built DVR is going to be geared more toward a “tech-tinker” than someone who’s still using a VCR.
Just buy it.
If he is using VHS, he isn’t going to figure out a homebrew PC based DVR. I think its $5/mo to rent my DVR, or just buy a TiVo. He clearly isn’t watching HD, so its not like you need huge capacity and can probably get a deal on an older used SD model if thats the case.
Yea he is a budding tech tinker, as am I. so I think it would be a fun project.
and I cannot give someone a present with a monthly fee, no matter how insignificant it is.
We didn’t say give him the monthly fee. Give him $150 and then make the calls to add DVR service for him and go pick up the box and install it for him.
$200 bucks isn’t gonna get you far at all. You need a capable PC with a decent video card, tuner card, remote, copy of OS, etc…
Yea, the tuner card is going to run you close to your budget for a decent one… +1 on buy a TIVO or rent a dvr.
I think it would be a fun father/son project. I guess I’ll have to do some research on my own (gasp!!!)
Another part I would like to look into is being able to ‘stream’ shows (maybe even ripped dvd’s in the future??) from the dvr in his man cave to other tv’s in the house
Just buy an old PC with Windows Media Center. My 5 year old computer works perfect as my DVR.
You can research all you want, your budget isn’t going to get the job done. For $200 the only good option is buying either the service or a tivo.
Buy that Replay TV DVR that’s on here. Best option IMO
Aren’t you going to end up needing some sort of cablecard even with a homebuilt? Also with a standard box he is going to have to watch everything he records and two shows at once won’t be an option…
Media Center PCs on eBay:
Bam, done.
no cablecard needed for basic cable shows. If he gets it on his TV without a cable box, the media center PC can get it. Any channels that require a cable box will not be watchable via media center pc.
Sounds really limited as more and more stuff is going digital even on regular cable. Do you really want to invest anything in making something that’s already obsolete? Switching to DISH/Direct/FIOS would render this useless and even TWC you’re limited to 70 SD channels
He has TWC and HD is not a priority. I dont think there are even any HD tv’s in the house.
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dont you still have to get the card that can accept the coaxial signal and then record it?
all thats really desired it to be able to set it at channel X for this time frame and record. fast forwarding through commercials can be done by hand as its always been done.
All Media Center PCs have TV tuner cards (as far as I know) built in with the graphics card. Just plug in a coaxial right to the back. The computer downloads the guide from the internet though so you’ll want a web connection. It’s easy to use once setup.
If it doesn’t come with a remote you can always buy one (tons on eBay) but remotes are not needed.
Just cause it’s a “media pc” doesn’t mean that it automatically has a tuner card. You’ll want to confirm that before doing anything.
Also, if your dad doesn’t have an HDTV, I bet you will struggle with getting the PC to output the correct resolutions. I never had a whole lot of luck with that kind of thing.
ugh. maybe he wants something else for christmas then. like golf tees or ties
but really, its 2010, I should be comfortable with this stuff
I don’t mean to discourage you, but I’ve been down this road before. The only thing it leads to is headaches, and half-assed solutions.