Is there a way to have DVR capabilities without paying a monthly service fee to subscribe to a programming service? I know the value of being able to click on a show that I want to watch 3 days from now and knowin that it is the right show at the right time, but my parents like the technology but don't want to pay a monthly fee for anything (it's not even worth arguing with them). They would buy a device that costs them one time if there wasn't a monthly fee associated with using it. any thoughts?

Media Center PCs can do this. Problem is, the PC costs more than you'll ever pay for DVR service. The benefit is you can have as much storage as the computer can handle.



Thank you,
Damon DG
= = = = =
http://www.ProRemotes.com - Authorized Dealer & Remote Programming Services

Their position is indeed not reasonable. They don't like the technology if they are willing to pay for no technology at all. When I like something, I'm willing to pay for it. If I'm not willing to pay for it, well, I don't like it that much.

They are asking for a Model T that you don't have to crank by hand, but they are not willing to pay for a starter motor. Other metaphors welcomed!

You might have to be blunt and tell them that the solution is to buy the local large Sunday newspaper and go through its weekly TV schedule by hand, then manually program the DVR to record the correct channel at the correct time. This might show them the value of the monthly fee, especially if the guide they get can be used for one-button record programming.

If they balk at paying a monthly fee for the newspaper, they can always scramble in to the library first thing Monday. This will require a monthly expenditure for gas for that particular set of trips.

They can also perhaps get this info for their local area via the internet, but that requires a monthly fee of either DSL or a phone line.

Both I and my Mother-in-law have Tivos without a a monthly fee. How? Pay them a one time fee of (I think it was $299) for a lifetime contract. Considering that sometimes you can get a TIVO free (with a rebate) it's a pretty good deal.

If you have cable TV you can typically upgrade to a DVR cable box for around $6 - $12/ mo. extra. Pretty hard to beat when equip cost, depreciation, and wear are considered.

Tivo won't let you pay a lifetime fee anymore.

I have a Panasonic DVD recorder that allows you to play the DVD back while recording on it. Works sorta like a DVR. It was something like $180 and with blank DVD's so cheap nowadays it works fine.

Heh, that’s not a bad idea at all. I believe D-VHS works similar to that too. If you have an internet connected PC nearby running XP, you could install AIVMS along with a USB-UIRT and then use TitanTV as an interface to schedule one-click recordings on just about any AV recording device. The only real caveat being that the PC would have to be running when the scheduled recording was started, but PC's are pretty cheap now and even old severely outdated PC's work great for something like that.

Turn's out, Super Member, that my parents (while sometimes cheap), are not alone and there are some viable solutions out there! Thanks everyone!

There *are* standalone DVR boxes that use the free TVGOS program guide rather than the cable company's or TiVo's. I have one. But some people have great difficulty getting the TVGOS service working correctly (mostly due to local issues).

What brand/model do you have?

I have an older Dish Network DVR receiver that has no monthly service fee. It was a special they had going. Pretty basic unit but works great in the bedroom.

Wal Mart sells DVD recorders witha hard drive. With that work for you?

Hey! You asked us for help and we shared what we could. Would you please share what you can? What are the solutions you are looking at?

Thanks...

My apologies to all super users. My somewhat tart response was meant for Ernie alone in response to his post. Everyone else has been extremely helpful. Once I make a decision on a DVR solution, I will post for others to use. Thanks again, you all have given me some great leads.