[Doublej]

Does anyone make a modern day equivalent of a VCR, in other words a DVR or PVR with a built in off the air tuner that doesn't require a subscription to an Electronic Program Guide in order to record programs? Basically I am looking for a cheap, HD version of Tivo without the EPG subscription.

Suspecting that the answer to my first question is no one, one might choose to buy a Windows 7 laptop and add a tuner card to it. If this path is pursued, who makes a good USB or PCMCIA tuner?  On Amazon, I have yet to find one that doesn't have a whole bunch of problems.

If one were to pursue a laptop based solution using Linux who makes a good USB tuner for Linux?

[GHM]

How about an HDHomerun? Add your Windows 7 computer and you're set! I use one with my main HTPC. It works like a champ! It streams all your broadcast over the home network.If you want to get really complicated you can go with the Ceton tuner. I think it will record up to 4 channels at once.

[Doublej]

I found out that I could get a TIVO without buying an EPG subscription so that's the route that was taken.

The HDHomerun is an interesting alternative to a USB tuner for a computer.

[srb]

If you want to get really complicated you can go with the Ceton tuner. I think it will record up to 4 channels at once.

I currently have SD cable and OTA HD with two NTSC/ATSC dual tuners (and 4 RF connections to the two cards).  I am considering the Ceton Card (although it's very expensive and not discounted).  I would be able to upgrade to digital HD cable (Cox) with a multi-stream cable card for a total of an extra $5.28/mo. over what I am paying for SD cable.
 
They are in limited supply right now and I have not read many reviews, although what I have read in user forums seems to be positive.
 
Steve

[jkelly]

I have been using BeyondTV with 2 Avermedia tuners with good results in the US.
I am however only using OTA signals and not cable or dish.

Programs are recorded and can be converted to any formats.
Schedules are automatically updated by BeyondTV and recording setup is easy.

MythTV (linux) and Sage TV are other programs to consider.

[AVnerdguy]

I bought a DTV PAL DVR last XMas for off air recording. It's been disconitnued but Channel Master is the same thing. Did a search and came up with this.

http://news.cnet.com/8301-17938_105-20011472-1.html

[GHM]

Yup..I only have OTA HD.  I stream in all the rest of my content over the internet through Netflix, Hulu and Clicker. No one that stops by when I have TV playing knows I'm watching it on a computer until I split windows on screen and surf the net while watching a TV show or movie. I stopped paying for cable two years ago.