[ebag4]

Does anyone know of a DVR that will work without a monthly fee.  My parents are looking for a digital replacement for their VCR, high def compatibility would be preferred.  Thanks for any recommendations.

Best,
Ed

[woodsyi]

I think you have Moxi or Tivo.  If you figure in lifetime (one time) subscription fee for Tivo, they are about the same price.  I don't know about Moxi but Tivo is pretty easy to use once you set it up.  My mom, over 70 and a technophobe, uses it without a problem.

[Bob in St. Louis]

I think Ed's talking about a direct replacement for a VCR, ie; "Non-mechanical".
Not a devise with a subscription, just a unit that will record and store shows at a given time and channel.
I think.

Bob

[ebag4]

I think Ed's talking about a direct replacement for a VCR, ie; "Non-mechanical".
Not a devise with a subscription, just a unit that will record and store shows at a given time and channel.
I think.

Bob

Thanks guys.  Bob, you've got it, they mainly want to record OTA programs.   It seems to me a digital VCR replacement "without subscription fees" and not $800+ is a hole in the market.  Perhaps not, maybe everyone uses cable or satellite versions (I do).

Best,
Ed

[Don_S]

Ed,

DVRs with hi-def tuners are sold under the Philips and Magnavox brands.  If I remember correctly they are both made by Funai and I think Philips owns the Magnavox brand.

I have one of each and the interfaces are virtually identical.  My Philips has a 160GB HD and the Magnavox has a 320GB.  I think they have a newer model with a 500GB.  Both have a DVD player/burner.  Available at Amazon and Walmart.

[ebag4]

Wow Don, thanks!  That is exactly what I was looking for.  You would think I had never done a search but I have and those never came up, probably poorly worded search keywords.

Thanks again!

Best,
Ed

Ed,

DVRs with hi-def tuners are sold under the Philips and Magnavox brands.  If I remember correctly they are both made by Funai and I think Philips owns the Magnavox brand.

I have one of each and the interfaces are virtually identical.  My Philips has a 160GB HD and the Magnavox has a 320GB.  I think they have a newer model with a 500GB.  Both have a DVD player/burner.  Available at Amazon and Walmart.

[Don_S]

Ed,

Here is more than you would ever want to know about the two DVRs I mentioned.  These guys make Audio Circle guys like light weights when it comes to obsession.   

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=19423254#post19423254

This is what I have: $227 at the time of this post.  I paid a lot more. Looking for the perfect Christmas gift for your parents?  They will think you paid a fortune.  I think they have a newer 500GB model as well.

 http://www.amazon.com/MAGNAVOX-MDR513H-F7-Recorder-Digital/dp/tech-data/B003DPKOKK/ref=de_a_smtd

I also have a Philips 3576 with a 160GB HD.  Not sure if they are still made or if Philips just markets these DVRs under the Magnavox brand name now.

Both make excellent recordings using a roof-top antenna.  No Dish or cable in this house.

Good luck.  Feel free to PM me if you have questions.

[Don_S]

Ed, You are correct.  If you don't know the "magic words" searches are not too helpful.

Here is the model name/number for the 500GB Magnavox.
MDR515H-F7
 
I believe it is their latest model. According to members of the forum I posted a link for it is "new and improved". See page one of the forum link.  $279 at Walmart. 


http://www.walmart.com/ip/Magnavox-MDR515H-F7-500GB-HDD-and-DVD-R-with-Digital-Tuner/15080509

[satfrat]

Ed,

 These guys make Audio Circle guys like light weights when it comes to obsession.   

NOT when it comes to audiophile audio they don't.    Heck, that crew can't even accept something as basic as clean power conditioning and their only "obsession" is trashing anyone who looks into exploring different paths to better sound and dares to post about them ON THEIR FORUM!  You need only ask Steve Bruzonsky, the old moderator of the Tweaks Forum about what he had to endure there, til he had finally had enough.    Ratso's current "What Say You?" thread about Danny Richie's generous offer to do a hands-on comparison of high end crossovers vs stock shows me AVS's "obsession" is still as strong as ever.
 
But when it comes to home theater, AVS is definitely the place to go for the lastest in components, where to get them and how to operate them. 
 
Cheers,
Robin

[Don_S]

Robin,

I only meant they took a couple of DVR products and their offspring and ran a thread to 406 pages and it is still growing. And the thread did not end up in an Intergalactic Waste Bin.  That has to count for some kind of obsessive award.

That particular thread has some very good people on it. They helped me several times when I could not figure out the "secret hand shake" to make my DVRs work.  That is why I keep the link handy.