I am again going to say TiVo.

Anything up to the latest Premiere models have a modem to dial their own Internet connection (although it might be hard to find a local number). Product Lifetime meas there is no ogoing fees. Series 2 (except Dual Tuner), will work with convert boxes, includig changing chnanels. You can manualy tune, or extend time on season passes. I have a TiVo and have little problem with the times in the guide.

PC DVRs can also ge their guide data from dial-up (but you need to pay for that your self), or you can manually record.

I suspect Ed Bear is referring to manual programming. Don't forget he also said:

and then program things with my remote. Frankly, I prefer a good VCR display to on-screen, again not having to turn on the set, but I am resigned to that being long gone due to the cost of buttons and displays.

classicsat, can you manually program a TiVo?

Yes you can. It needs service though to record at all, but older ones with Product Lifetime are cost competitive with most other DVRs.

I don't know if this has been talked about, but wouldn't it be a logical progression to have flat screen TV's with record capabilities? Most already have USB connections now anyway. Simply connect a USB drive and then have the associated PVR software built into the TV. I would be interested in that if it becomes available !! ;)

I don't know If they still do but I seem to remember that LG made TVs with a built in hard drive. I don't know if you could program it but I think it would let you pause live TV and do instant relays.

It wouldn't be a DVR as I'd want it, which is dual tuner, and on all the time or as needed from the TV.

I agree the LG one may not have all the features you would want from a DVR. There is no reason why they couldn't put a full featured DVR inside a TV (dual tuner and can record even when the TV is off, etc), but the market for such a product is likely very small so it is unlikely anyone would make one. Besides I am not sure if I would want that since if one component fails (either the TV or DVR) you have to replace the entire unit. With separate units, you can replace only the part that fails.

A better solution is to get both a TV and a PVR/HTPC that supports UPnP AV (or DLNA). That way your PVR/HTPC can be in a separate room (removing clutter from your living space) and you can watch your recordings and other videos over your LAN using the TV's built-in player. The only disadvantage to this approach is I don't think you can change the recording schedule from your TV.

I have an older (2006 model) Hitachi plasma TV. It has video and audio jacks on the back that are able to output the ATSC tuner's signal. It also has a "TV guide" function that can be pre-programmed to tune to a certain channel AND control a VCR via an IR extender that came with the TV.

I finally forced myself to read the owner's manual and figure this out after becoming addicted to the old "Alfred Hitchcock Presents" show, which is on the "Antenna TV" network (carried by WGRZ TV2 Buffalo on a sub-channel) from 1 to 2 AM. I searched for DVD recorders with built-in ATSC but these seem to be rare or unaffordable.

This could also work with a DVD recorder by using the recorder's own timer, since the IR codes would likely not be available for the TV to control it.

Unfortunately there is only a composite video output. It works fine for SD programs but 16x9 HD content comes out as "squished". It can be stretched back out on most widescreen TVs depending on the resolution and screen settings.

I wonder if there are other TVs with this capability currently being manufactured?

1: I doubt it. I have heard of TVs in the European market which can record broadcast digital TV to a USB drive.

2: Using the TV tuner as a tuner to record from is the last thing I would do.
I would at least get a DTA box and DVD recorder, or a tuner for my computer (which BTW, is the first thing I would do).

I wonder if there are other TVs with this capability currently being manufactured?

There aren't many, for sure. The vast majority of TV viewers in North America use a BDU service to watch TV. To keep costs down, manufacturers typically will only incorporate functionality that is mandated or in high demand.

I am looking for all the option for OTA recording. My criteria is must record HD content, On Screen guide and schedule recording.

Here is what I found so far...

Channel Master PVR

Boxee TV (with new TV adaptor)

Purchase a PC/Mac and use EyeTV product

TivoHD

Or many, many, many software options...

Am I missing anything else before I make a decision?

Thank you,

Just released this week

ePVISON PHD-VRX HD (http://www.epvision.com/HDTVSTB/phd8vxmain.htm)



There's a couple of others, but they've recently been discontinued and will be hard, if not impossible to find.

Briteview BV980
http://www.brite-view.com/980h.php

DVICO TVIX HD M-662ON
http://www.digitalconnection.com/products/video/tvixm6620np.asp

Hope this helps.

Wyl, have you read through the thread titles in the OTA Forum yet? We have existing threads for almost all of those. Also visit the HTPC Forum regarding computer-based OTA PVR devices:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=31

Boxee TV does not act as a PVR. It's just a reciever

I've got an HTPC with NextPVR software (free) that uses Zap2it as a guide. Works like a charm. I can run 4 antennas, but I'm only using two.

Just starting to look for a antenna compatible PVR.
I am a few miles outside of Edmonton and using a CM 3016 that pulls in all stations perfectly. Has anyone been using a PVR that will work with a signal from an antenna and requires no subscription?

There is basically two directions you can go with regards to OTA DVR's:

1) In the Over-the-air forums, there are several threads regarding dedicated "set-top-box" DVR's for OTA.

2) Check out the home-threatre-PC threads for HTPC's capable of receiving digital OTA signals, and acting as a DVR.

will do just needed that bit of direction!

Windows 7 media center and an ATSC tuner e.g. HVR-2250 or Silicon Dust might work. Trick would be getting Canadian TV guide data for your location.

That's what I'm doing, in Edmonton as well. 7MC with a dual tuner Hauppage card, (HVR-2250) and Peter Near's 'hack' to get ATSC support. The system stays on in the basement and I watch the recordings using mostly the PS3 upstairs. Could also use the Xbox. The xbox has slightly better picture quality however it tends to drop out because of the wireless. PS3 seems to have a more stable wifi connection but a sacrifice of a bit of PQ. One day I will get a hard cable up there, until then, this works. I also use remote potato so I can use the laptop or tablet to remote into media center and set and remove recordings. I could of course also sit downstairs and log on locally but I might end up interrupting a kids Facebook session! ;)

One other thing, for some reason 7MC would not scan for CFRN and Global, had to add them in manually.

I am planning on testing a Raspberry Pi loading with Linux as a PVR next. Would love to find a cheap solution for my mom to be able to record as well.