Channel Master CM 7400

AVS has a whole subforum on HD recorders, this forum is for SD DVD Recorders. Here is a link to the HD forum and currently the master thread for the 7400 is down about 10 lines.
http://www.avsforum.com/f/42/hdtv-recorders
I have a Tivo HD which I use for OTA reception and I really like it but Tivo with a lifetime subscription will be the most expensive option(~$600 or more) but like many things it seems with HD DVRs you really get what you pay for
I have no experience with streamers.

If you want a standalone, OTA DVR that "just works", and won't give you headaches from time to time like all the others, just go with the TiVo and be done with it (jjeff is right - you do get what you pay for with these things).

 

You can get a brand new TiVo Premiere, with an OTA tuner (latest model), on ebay, for only $80 (w/free shipping). Then, go to www.retailmenot.com and search under "TiVo Coupon Codes", and there's one right at the top of the list, that has an 80% chance of working (code is "PLSR"), that'll give you $100 off the lifetime service. If that one doesn't work for you, just do an internet search for "TiVo coupon codes", and you might find one that does. People in the HDTV Recorders forum here are still finding ones that do).

 

When you go to the TiVo.com site to activate your unit and sign up for lifetime, just enter the promo code when they ask for it (I think they ask at an earlier point than when you actually hit the final checkout prompt, so watch for it). You won't get affirmation of the discount until you get the follow-up email.

 

Total comes to only $480.

 

There are two, separate forums here for streaming (not including the HTPC ones) - one for hardware, and one for content. They're easy enough to find. PlayOn's got a discounted deal going right now. It's inexpensive (I think the lifetime fee's only $40). Hulu (not Hulu Plus, which you have to pay for) is available through PlayOn. Netflix you have to pay at least 8 bucks a month for. The PlayOn site has the pricing, available channels, and all the other details you want.

 

The Roku has hundreds of official and private channels, and lots of free programming and good, free movies (like on Crackle). Two good sites to see what's all available though it are Streamfree.com and Catastrophe girl.com. The Roku also has apps for Netflix, Hulu Plus and Vudu.

Edited by Rammitinski - 1/27/13 at 9:14pm

Just go to the CM-7400 thread that jjeff referred to and read the last couple pages of posts. You can also do the same for the TiVo Premier thread. The TiVo is more advanced than the CM-7400 and doesn't get as hot as a toaster. Pay attention in the CM-7400 thread to the steps people take to cool their units and avoid premature heat-failure. Also the CM-7400 is not very usable as a DVR without a guide and the guide costs $50/yr -- forever. There is no lifetime option like there is for TiVo.

Also, when you go there, don't post in blue. Just leave the default text color and size so people can actually read what you have posted.

+1
Many people, including me, use a blue background, blue on blue.........well you can imagine
Oh all Tivos except the 4 tuner model can receive OTA as well as cable, the 4 tuner model is cable only

Everyone will have their own opinion on this and it all depends on how you want to use your DVR and what kind of experience you expect from it. So I will give you my opinion. Compared to buying a TiVo with lifetime for a bit more money, I would say NO, the CM-7400 is not worth the money. TiVo out-classes it in just about all respects, especially continuing support.

I have had mine in use for 4 years for OTA exclusively. Anyone who suggests a TiVo is overkill for OTA is speaking nonsense.

I agree. I own the CM7400 runs hot. locks up every week or so. Nothing like the clock stuck and no recording happened. I am constantly restarting and resetting They have crappy support. I was going to return it as I bought a refurbished on through channel masers web site and try to get a RMA number but they give you the run around so that is never going to happen. They love to give you the run around unless your buying from them DON'T BUY THE CM7400.