Looking for Tivo-like set top box for parents

[dinki]

Hey guys. I'd like to buy a set top box for my parents that they can use to record programs occasionally. Is there some sort of set top box available other than Tivo? I'm looking for something inexpensive as well. Tivo would be ideal but I can't see my parents paying the monthly charge for the service.

[MitchSchaft]

If not tivo, then you'll have to set 'em up a Sage server with extenders or some other HTPC software I guess.

[GKusnick]

Originally Posted by dinki

Tivo would be ideal but I can't see my parents paying the monthly charge for the service.

So pay it yourself. If the box is meant as a gift, throw in a year or two of prepaid service. If they're not hooked by then, let them cancel.

Their cable or satellite provider probably offers a DVR appliance, but there will likely be a monthly charge for that as well.

[dinki]

I don't think they'll use it that much so the cost really doesn't justify the expense. I thought that at one point there were some competitors to Tivo and they used TV Guide data that was transmitted over cable.

[paulbeers]

There have been competitors, but basically they've all failed. Your choices are:

1. Tivo
2. Satellite/Cable DVR
3. Computer based DVR (Sage, WMC, etc.)

The issue is that even Tivo is having a tough time making any money and so there isn't a lot of competition from 3rd parties making stand alone DVR's (you won't find many copy cats when the industry leader can't make money). Trufthfully, the cable/satellite DVR's are too good of a deal ($5-10 a month usually) for people to justify spending $200 + $13 a month for another box!

[Clift]

What about the DTV pal?
http://www.engadget.com/2009/02/01/d...and-previewed/

[dinki]

Originally Posted by paulbeers

There have been competitors, but basically they've all failed.

That's pretty much all I needed to know. No wonder I couldn't find anything.

I just find it odd that there isn't anything between Tivo and VCRs. All she really wants to do is to record a show and watch it at a later time and then delete it.

[sic0048]

Before I set up my parents SageTV system, they were using a recordable DVD player solution. I'll see if I can find some more information about what they were using. But I think it worked pretty much like a VCR. They set a date and time to record, and then made sure the STB was left on (which wasn't hard since it was generally always left on).

[aflat]

You can buy a Tivo with lifetime, but lifetime is about $400. If you don't need HD you can get a cheap one, with lifetime on ebay, for $100-$200. If you want HD, then you need to spend money. You're options are Tivo, Moxi(just as expensive) or go with a computer and SageTV. There are other options for software, but your at the wrong place if you want opinions about those. No need to look too hard, SageTV is the best anyways.

[tchapin]

Don't forget about the Moxi DVR. I haven't used one, but it seems to be a credible competitor to TiVo. Moxi seems to have a number of features that TiVo doesn't.

Pros
No monthly fee.
They have their own extenders.
Not restricted to buying branded external HDs to increase storage.
Money back guarantee
2 and 3 tuner models available (vs only 2 w/ TiVo)

Cons
Priced like the TiVoHDXL at $500, but with less storage (75 hours vs 150 hours), or perhaps a different compression algorithm.

Features of both
Amazon and Netflix support, although Moxi support is via Playon


Questions
1080p support?


Seems to me they are worth considering.