was going to buy a tivo but....

[SnowSurfer]

I went out today looking for a tivo but with the subscription fees and everything i think it would just be easier to build a media center pc, is the media center technology up to par at the moment that i can set it to record tv and stuff and then replay it? any tips/guides around that are recent? I found a couple from last year but its not 2004 anymore :), thanks a bundle guys, hope everyone had a good thanksgiving

[DarkFury]

It will COST you more to build a Media Center PC and honestly (in my own opinion), the TV capture and edit software for the PC is not quite as refined as the software on dedictated machines.

Now granted... I agree with you on the subscription fees of TIVO... therefore, I went with the third alternative and bought a DVR that doesn't have TIVO or ReplayTV on it.

You can get more details about it here: http://www.gotapex.com/forums/showthread.php?t=91603

[Bires]

If your PC's CPU and HD are fast enough (3.0GHz and 100+ SATA) you can capture high def programming with the Fusion cards. (Avoid the HDTV wonder).

[gear02]

i think the advantage of tivo and replaytv units is that you don't have to worry and think about them. They just work and work well.

[SnowSurfer]

the only issue with the dvr is with directTV I don't get local channels :(

[kimchicowboy]

tivo does have a $200 lifetime subscription, no?

[Kevster]

You can pick up a ReplayTV 5080 or 5040 unit with lifetime subscription for between $350 and $370 plus shipping. The payoff time for the lifetime subscription is about 2 years. If you HD dies on your replayTV unit, it's relatively easy to replace.

[LPMiller]

the only issue with the dvr is with directTV I don't get local channels :(

why the heck not? it's 5 bucks a month.