1988RedT2
1988RedT2 PowerDork
5/23/14 3:58 p.m.

What's the cheapest way to DVR programs received via antenna? Looking to trim the cable/internet/phone bill and the biggest part is the digital HD cable TV and DVR's.

Yeah, I know. We've had some cord-cutting threads in the recent past, but I'm lazy, and technology changes quickly!

SyntheticBlinkerFluid
SyntheticBlinkerFluid PowerDork
5/23/14 4:24 p.m.

Possibly TIVO? I think they can still work with antenna and it may need an internet connection to download the guide and such.

May not be the cheapest, but has to be one of the only ways.

DrBoost
DrBoost PowerDork
5/23/14 4:46 p.m.

I didn't go with the cheapest way because I wanted it to be reliable too. I purchased a refurb'd mac minim (it's new, just a return unit). I got about 35-40% off but still had the new warranty. Then I added El Gato EyeTv. It's a USB tuner card with the software installed. It's simple, has a remote, and works well. It uses TV Guide for it's EPG.
I've had this setup running for something like 8 years. Though I think the Mac Mini has only been in place for the last 2 or 3 of those years.

novaderrik
novaderrik PowerDork
5/23/14 8:11 p.m.

i had a tuner card in my WIN98 powered pc that had these capabilities back in the 1999/2000 time frame, so there should be something available now..

donalson
donalson PowerDork
5/23/14 10:14 p.m.

a TV tuner card and an older computer will do the trick... linux, windows and mac all have options.

also could do it with cable if they don't require a converter box... just have to make sure the tuner card will read the proper signal

oldopelguy
oldopelguy SuperDork
5/24/14 3:23 p.m.

Or you could dig out a VCR.

N Sperlo
N Sperlo MegaDork
5/24/14 3:30 p.m.

My idea was right in line with the TV tuner cards. It should be pretty easy to do with that and some disk space.

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