is there such a thing as a hard drive recorder

[pjtech]

I cant use Tivo bc I do not have a phone line.
So I am looking for Hard Drive recorder so I can
record something while watching another.
Something that does nor require a subscription.
Is there such a beast?

Thanks
Patrick

[Ron Barry]

I am not aware of anything retail like that, but a lot of people do what you are talking about by building a Home Theater PC (HTPC). Do a search on the net and will find a lot of info on it. If you don't have a network connection or dialup you will have guide issues to deal with.

If you go the HTPC route, you still need a receiver.

[TNGTony]

Some of the better stand-alone DVD burners have a hard drive in them. A buddy of mine uses his just like a DVR. So, yes, there is such a thing. The draw-back is that you have to program it just like a VCR. Time, date, length and channel.

See ya
Tony

[pjtech]

Some of the better stand-alone DVD burners have a hard drive in them. A buddy of mine uses his just like a DVR. So, yes, there is such a thing. The draw-back is that you have to program it just like a VCR. Time, date, length and channel.


I did see those but at the $300-$400 dollar range. prob cheaper to go the Tivo route and get a cheap $15.00 phone line.

Thanks for the info

[FLWingNut]

The D*Tivo only requires a phone line for initial installation, then you can disconnect (you'll geta daily nag screen after a while). That is, of course if you get a D*Tivo. The new R15 doesn't require a phone line at all.

I'm assuming you're a D* subscriber, since you're in the Directv discussion area.

[pjtech]

Thanks for the great info!

[Bill R]

Some of the better stand-alone DVD burners have a hard drive in them. A buddy of mine uses his just like a DVR. So, yes, there is such a thing. The draw-back is that you have to program it just like a VCR. Time, date, length and channel.

See ya
Tony


I have had the Philips HDRW 720 DVR/DVD recorder with a 120 GB hard drive for a little over a year now. As Tony said, it is much like a VCR. However, with the Philips 720 you don't have to set timers. It has the on-screen TV guide and all you have to do to record something to the hard drive is to select it in the TV guide. It works with cable or OTA and, of course, you can hookup a DISH Network or DirecTV receiver to the video inputs so you can record from them and burn the programs to DVD (to DVD +R or +RW discs).

The Philips 720 has been discontinued (it had LOTS of software problems during the first six months that I had it but after three software updates it has been very stable) but I know that there are at least half a dozen other hard disk DVR/DVD recorders on the market. And several vendors have announced that they are coming out with HD versions of DVR/DVD recorders (with ATSC and/or QAM tuners).

[loudo]

I cant use Tivo bc I do not have a phone line.
So I am looking for Hard Drive recorder so I can
record something while watching another.
Something that does nor require a subscription.
Is there such a beast?

Thanks
Patrick

Yes there are some out there. Check out these few from B&H Electonics:
http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=404143&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation (http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=404143&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation)

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=341482&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=341482&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=375258&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

http://www.bhphotovideo.com/bnh/controller/home?O=productlist&A=details&Q=&sku=375258&is=REG&addedTroughType=categoryNavigation

They also have other units. Most save to Hard Drive and you can burn to DVDs. Just read the discriptions good to see if the units do what you want them to.

[Newshawk]

I cant use Tivo bc I do not have a phone line.
So I am looking for Hard Drive recorder so I can
record something while watching another.
Something that does nor require a subscription.
Is there such a beast?

Be aware that due to the fact that you are recording the output of the receiver, you can only watch what you record. The only way to be able to record one show while watching another when using satellite is to have a device that has two satellite tuners. This means the only thing that will do what you want to do is a D* DVR such as a R15, however, it does require a service fee.

[TNGTony]

What is the Tivo service fee a year? How much does the TiVo unit cost?

$300-400 unit without a monthly fee could be cheaper over the life of the unit!

See ya
Tony

[KenW]

If you use the D*TiVo the TiVo fee is waived if you have TOTAL CHOICE PREMIER, and $5.99/mo otherwise.

For existing customers, a DVR is $50 after rebate:
http://www.directv.com/see/landing/dvr_rebate.html