I'm sorry if this has been dealt with before.

I want to record free OTA. I don't want to go to DirecTV, the cable company or buy an $800 Tivo unit and pay them a monthly subscription just to make it work.

What are the latest options to buy or build a high quality, dual tuner ATSC DVR and get channel programming lineup?

Thanks in advance.

What are the latest options to buy or build a high quality, dual tuner ATSC DVR and get channel programming lineup?

Thanks in advance.
That's quite an order right now. Other than the Tivo, there are no "appliance" DVRs that meet those requirements. The downside of the Series 3 is the $20/mo fee.

If you don't need the dual tuners, then the discontinued Sony DHG-HDD250/500 and the LG LST-3410A meet those requirements. I have the Sony and it works great, although it can be buggy. Plus, there's no real answer as to how it will continue to function after the analog shut-off.

If you're willing to go with a PC/Mac based DVR system, then you open up your options greatly. I don't know much about the PC systems, but with Macs, you could get a Mac mini and two EyeTV hybrids to satisfy the dual-tuner requirement. EyeTV software doesn't currently support dual tuners "officially", but I do think it works. Haven't tried it myself, but I've read up on it. I suggest the mini over PCs because it's small enough to fit nicely in a TV cabinet/stand. Plus, it's very quiet, which is important for TV devices.

ft

If you're willing to go with a PC/Mac based DVR system, then you open up your options greatly. I don't know much about the PC systems, but with Macs, you could get a Mac mini and two EyeTV hybrids to satisfy the dual-tuner requirement. EyeTV software doesn't currently support dual tuners "officially", but I do think it works. Haven't tried it myself, but I've read up on it. I suggest the mini over PCs because it's small enough to fit nicely in a TV cabinet/stand. Plus, it's very quiet, which is important for TV devices.
ft

I don't mind building a PC unit to do the job. Does anyone have recommendations as to what tuner card and software? I seen a few advertised on the internet but I would rather get feedback for those that have actually used the equipment.

Thanks for your help.

I don't mind building a PC unit to do the job. Does anyone have recommendations as to what tuner card and software? I seen a few advertised on the internet but I would rather get feedback for those that have actually used the equipment.Keep in mind that PCs -- except for Vista systems with OCUR -- won't record encrypted digital channels. With most cable systems, digital recording on the PC is limited to the local channels.

If you don't need the dual tuners, then the discontinued Sony DHG-HDD250/500 and the LG LST-3410A meet those requirements. I have the Sony and it works great, although it can be buggy. Plus, there's no real answer as to how it will continue to function after the analog shut-off. You might be interested in a post made today in the Sony thread - someone in Albany said TVGOS was in the process of switching over to a CBS digital host channel there, and that they had turned off the analog stream and they weren't getting info anymore.

If the Sony can't get the digital info, we may be screwed much earlier than we anticipated :(.

Keep in mind that PCs -- except for Vista systems with OCUR -- won't record encrypted digital channels. With most cable systems, digital recording on the PC is limited to the local channels.

I'm only concerned with recording over-the-air HDTV for now.

I already have a DirecTV setup with a DVR. I just bought a HDTV TV (with HDTV tuner built in). I know I can watch the free stuff with an antenna hooked up but I can't figure out how to record (without spending a ton of money).

I'm thinking a dual ATSC tuner PCI card and a dedicated PC next to my TV would work. I need recommendations on what really works.
Do they do something to the OTA HDTV signal for you can’t record it?

You might be interested in a post made today in the Sony thread - someone in Albany said TVGOS was in the process of switching over to a CBS digital host channel there, and that they had turned off the analog stream and they weren't getting info anymore.

If the Sony can't get the digital info, we may be screwed much earlier than we anticipated :(.Has TVGoS released updated firmware for the Sony to support that datacast from digital broadcasters? I know many cable providers don't pass this "datacast," so an antenna would be required, but if updated firmware is available for the Sony -- and you received it previously from the analog broadcast -- then mounting an antenna should resolve issue. I don't own the Sony so I don't know.

I'm thinking a dual ATSC tuner PCI card and a dedicated PC next to my TV would work. I need recommendations on what really works.
Do they do something to the OTA HDTV signal for you can’t record it?You can always record OTA HDTV signals. There's no DRM, encryption, or anything of the sort with those signals.

Most cable providers put their local DTV/HDTV channels on their system in unencrypted QAM as well.

For suggestions on ATSC (OTA) DTV/HDTV tuners, you should check the HTPC forum.

If you’re looking for hardware, here is what I purchased, and it works for me. I was in the same position after purchasing a JVC 56FC97 D-ILA and discovered the local channels OTA were perfect. The D* DVR was OK for the SD stuff but I needed a HD DVR solution and decided on Windows Media Center (broadband required, but the guide is free). My sons PC, a Dell E310 2.8 GHz P4 was underutilized, so I used that as a starting point. I purchased the following-
A Samsung 500GB HD ($135)
A Winegard SS-2000 antenna ($99)
A FusionHDTV5 RT Gold tuner ($149)
A Xbox 360 Universal Remote ($25)
I installed Vista Ultimate, the current Fusion drivers, and the Xbox 360 extender software. Installing the antenna and running the RG-6 coax was the most time consuming part. I had no incompatibilities or driver conflicts.
Watching HDTV through the Xbox 360 is a great solution, otherwise you’ll need a really good video card as well, maybe something with a DVI output.
Two tuners will work, but I went with only one tuner card to keep costs down. If there is a conflict, I’ll just record the other show in SD on the D* DVR.

I don't know much about the PC systems, but with Macs, you could get a Mac mini and two EyeTV hybrids to satisfy the dual-tuner requirement. EyeTV software doesn't currently support dual tuners "officially", but I do think it works. Haven't tried it myself, but I've read up on it.The problem is the EyeTV software has no way to address a specific tuner, so when a second program starts when one is recording, the software will just start recording the new program using the tuner that was recording the old one. :eek:

A JVC D-VHS HD-vcr combined with an OTA tuner with a firewire output will do the job. In my case, I have a UM-1000 (aka Integra-815) satellite & OTA receiver that had been modified with a 169-Time firewire output. The firewire signal feeds into the JVC HM-DU30000U DVHS vcr (there is a 40000 also). The recordings are virtually identical to the original HD picture. I got both on eBay. They are rare, but they become available now & then.

Since both of these older units were on the bleeding-edge of the HD revolution, they are a bit quirky. In fact the Integra was released BEFORE the HD specs were finalized. As a result it has a few problems handling some OTA channels. The JVC’s internal timer will not time-delay record any firewire programming. I have overcome this by using a Radio Shack VCR Programmer to control (turn on, record, shut-off) the JVC. I picked up a bunch of the VCR Programmers on ebay so I’m set for a while.

Bob

I have a series 3 TiVo and before that I had a PC setup to record OTA HDTV. While a PC worked, it had some problems. The first problem was Windows Media Center. With constant updates, reboots, and Windows legendary unreliability, I never knew if the show would be recorded or not. HDTV playback was better but still, I never knew if I'd be able to watch a whole show uninterrupted. Scheduling was also very poor. At the time, I was using an ATI HDTV Wonder and the sensitivity of that tuner wasn't even close to my TV. I couldn't even get receive half the channels that my TV did, even though both received signals from my roof antenna and the same splitter.

The series 3 TiVo works almost flawlessly and is light years ahead of any PC setup for HDTV. I also have another PC (not dedicated to HDTV though) with a Vbox Cats Eye HD tuner running BeyondTV and WinXP Pro. The Beyond TV software works incredibly better than the Windows Media Center junk and is very easy to use and highly reliable. If you're intent on setting up a PC for OTA HDTV, you can't go wrong with Beyond TV. The Vbox Cats Eye isn't a very strong tuner for long distance reception either, but it was a heck of a lot easier to setup than the HDTV Wonder.