I've done a search for this and everything that came up was over a year old so I thought I would get an update.
I have:
-Samsung PN42A410
-Samsung HL56A650
-Cox Cable
I live in Omaha, NE
I want:
-to figure out what options I have for HD DVR besides what cox offers for a monthly fee.
-the ability to record a show and program shows to be recorded and be able to record shows while watching others.
-to be able to do it in an easy to use format like with DTV DVR or Cox DVR where I have a guide and just click record on the show I want.

Is this possible or can I only do this with a paid service? What equipment do I need and what service do I need to pay for to get it to work properly?

Thanks in advance for any help.

Right now about your only options are a Tivo or a Vista media center computer. The Tivo has a monthly service cost, or you can pay a one time lifetime service cost. The media center computer has no service costs.

These will only get you your local channels over clear QAM. If you rent a cable card from your cable company (and have a media center computer that can use cable cards) you will be able to get all of the digital stations.

There are supposed to be more options on the way but they aren't here yet.

Another problem here is a lot of cable companies are going to be switching over to SDV (switched digital video). This may cause problems with older QAM and cable card tuner systems. Tivo supposedly has a solution, I haven't heard about anything for media center computers though.

Finally some cable companies are going to start supporting True2Way, which is a new version of the QAM/cable card setup. However, there are few products on the market now, and the only cable company I know of that has it up and running is Comcast in the Denver and Chicago areas.

In my opinion you are better off renting a box from the cable company for now, and check back in about 6 months to see how things are progressing. Feb 2009 is sure to bring about a lot of change.

I've been doing research since I asked and came across Moxi HD-DVR (https://moxi.com/moxi/discover_moxi_hd.jsp). What are thoughts on that?

Series 3 Tivo off eBay with Lifetime Subscription

I've been doing research since I asked and came across Moxi HD-DVR (https://moxi.com/moxi/discover_moxi_hd.jsp). What are thoughts on that?

No one has yet to really see one.

Are you sure they will be in business in a year supporting this product? Not the best economy to take a gamble on.

No word on SDV support. That might be important. The Tivo Series 3/HD/HD XL can be purchased with lifetime subscriptions and the do support the tuning resolver. I assume that the Moxi can support it if they update it or announce it. The tuning resolver allows a product like the Tivo or Moxi to watch/record SDV channels. SDV is a way for the Cable companies to save on bandwidth.

Series 3 Tivo off eBay with Lifetime Subscription



No one has yet to really see one.

Are you sure they will be in business in a year supporting this product? Not the best economy to take a gamble on.

never really thought of that. when you say no one has yet to really see one, are you saying they are not out yet? From what I read, it seems like they are available. Also, How much of the service is offered through them besides updates. I figured most of it would be run directly through the box/system itself, such as the guide and recording capabilities etc... Especially since there is no monthly subscription fee.

You use an Ethernet connection for the guide and software updates. You also get VOD through 3rd party providers. Also you might want to look at the Tivo HD and Tivo HD XL. The HD XL has a 1 TB HDD.

Right now about your only options are a Tivo or a Vista media center computer. The Tivo has a monthly service cost, or you can pay a one time lifetime service cost. The media center computer has no service costs.

These will only get you your local channels over clear QAM. If you rent a cable card from your cable company (and have a media center computer that can use cable cards) you will be able to get all of the digital stations.

There are supposed to be more options on the way but they aren't here yet.

Another problem here is a lot of cable companies are going to be switching over to SDV (switched digital video). This may cause problems with older QAM and cable card tuner systems. Tivo supposedly has a solution, I haven't heard about anything for media center computers though.

Finally some cable companies are going to start supporting True2Way, which is a new version of the QAM/cable card setup. However, there are few products on the market now, and the only cable company I know of that has it up and running is Comcast in the Denver and Chicago areas.

In my opinion you are better off renting a box from the cable company for now, and check back in about 6 months to see how things are progressing. Feb 2009 is sure to bring about a lot of change.

Beerstalker, do you have Tivo HD + Lifetime and Comcast in Peoria? I'm in Peoria as well and am sick of paying $15 month for renting a DVR..feel free to PM me or reply here..

No I do not. I got rid of Comcast TV service last spring and went to DirecTV. I am much happier with DirecTV except for the fact I still can't get "the CW" easily. I had to add the AM21 ATSC tuner in order to get it, and I only get it on one TV.

I still have Comcast for internet service, but I am going to start looking for different options there too. $40 a month is a bit rediculous anymore, the price really needs to come down in my opinion.