To get HDHR or not to??

[chrisc983]

So for some background info. I've been using Sage for several years and I used to use the hauppage tuners in my previous Sage Build with 4 inputs altogether. I had switched from using Sage for TV recordings to getting a Comcast DVR box for the last year or so but I'm am missing some of the features of Sage such as commercial skip and hard drive limitation. Also the Comcast DVR has been missing some recordings recently. I was thinking about going back to Sage for TV recording and picking up an HDHR or two but then I started reading about that Comcast is going to start encrypting the channels. Which from what I read means I have to get cable boxes and HDPVR which can get expensive quickly.

What is your suggestion?

[davephan]

The Comcast DVR is fairly expensive on a monthly basis, almost $20. You might be able to use a HDHomeRun if you have clear QAM. Although the clear QAM could go away in the future. Another alternative is to use a Hauppauge 2250 that can record clear QAM or analog cable TV. Another choice is to use the 2250 with SD cable boxes, about $7 per month and one USB-UIRT to change the channels. The 2250 requires a PCI-E slot on your computer. Another choice is to use a HD-PVR, USB-UIRT, and a HD cable box, about $10 per month, if you want to be able to record HD.

If you do go the HDHomerun route, you can always use it for the over the air digital channels in the future if clear QAM goes away.

Dave