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Gramma and her Soaps: DTV Conversion and VCR Programming
Mugenmidget
Registered User regular
Registered User regular
If there's already a thread about this "panic" then I'd be grateful for some links or any information on the subject.
My grandmother is currently worried about the conversion on February 17th (if that's still the date), but she actually has a surprisingly good handle on what is going to happen and has managed to hook up a DTV box she's purchased. The problem comes in with programming recordings on the VCR, something that will obviously cease to function once the switch occurs.
So as far as alternatives I'm only aware of the following:
-The Tivo service
-DVR provided by an external cable company
-An HTPC with PVR
-Setting the VCR to record channel 3 and having the DTV box set on the channel desired (not much of a solution)
None of these are particularly elegant solutions in my eyes, but only because they are either convoluted (like the last two) or ridiculously overpriced (like the first two). The most desirable by far is the HTPC (no service charge and a relatively cheap PC could be used), but that'll most likely end up frustrating her and would probably require constant maintenance from somebody able to operate on it.
With all of that in mind, my questions to you guys are:
-Are there any better, simpler alternatives I haven't thought about?
-Are there any reasonable DVR services?
-What kind of hardware is required of an HTPC to be ready for the "DTV" conversion and still be able to change channels on its own and do proper programmed recordings? I know products like the "Hauppauge PVR-150" that I used to DVR with would require something extra like the "IR Blaster" to be able to function on their own.
Thanks for any and all input, I'm not sure where to begin on approaching a good solution and your help is always appreciated!
My grandmother is currently worried about the conversion on February 17th (if that's still the date), but she actually has a surprisingly good handle on what is going to happen and has managed to hook up a DTV box she's purchased. The problem comes in with programming recordings on the VCR, something that will obviously cease to function once the switch occurs.
So as far as alternatives I'm only aware of the following:
-The Tivo service
-DVR provided by an external cable company
-An HTPC with PVR
-Setting the VCR to record channel 3 and having the DTV box set on the channel desired (not much of a solution)
None of these are particularly elegant solutions in my eyes, but only because they are either convoluted (like the last two) or ridiculously overpriced (like the first two). The most desirable by far is the HTPC (no service charge and a relatively cheap PC could be used), but that'll most likely end up frustrating her and would probably require constant maintenance from somebody able to operate on it.
With all of that in mind, my questions to you guys are:
-Are there any better, simpler alternatives I haven't thought about?
-Are there any reasonable DVR services?
-What kind of hardware is required of an HTPC to be ready for the "DTV" conversion and still be able to change channels on its own and do proper programmed recordings? I know products like the "Hauppauge PVR-150" that I used to DVR with would require something extra like the "IR Blaster" to be able to function on their own.
Thanks for any and all input, I'm not sure where to begin on approaching a good solution and your help is always appreciated!
Mugenmidget on
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http://www.walmart.com/catalog/product.do?product_id=5693289
Seems perfect if it can program recordings (I don't see why not), just really pricey. Maybe a good Christmas present, at least...
If a service is the only way then she'll have to seek out that option, but for the time being I'd like to hear of other alternatives (if they exist). Thank you for your advice, though, I'll have to help her look into service plans if it comes to it.
I don't really understand how the digital conversion will prevent a VCR from recording.
What I'm looking for is a more elegant solution than the inevitable one (which involves setting the VCR to channel 3 and leaving the converter box on the desired channel). With the current situation she won't be able to watch a program while recording or have the VCR automatically switch channels based on her programmed recording, two things that she is currently capable of doing with the analog setup.
So a digital replacement for those two particular things (watching TV while something records on another channel, having the recording device be capable of switching to the channel on its own) are what I'm after with this topic. Thank you for your continued support!
http://dishnetwork.com/packages/default.aspx
100+ channels, $10 a month, $6 for DVR
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Too bad VCRs are outdated, it'd be nice if there was one with a tuner that didn't have the DVD combo. Are there any good standalone DVD recorders with the tuner that might be cheaper?
I don't know if your grandmother would want to record to DVD though. That one from Walmart is a good price and offers VHS. I'd stick with that if I were you.
She's probably not willing to pay that considering how "cheap" the converter box was after using one of those rebates being sent out. But maybe I could look into getting the family to go in together on it, I think it'd be a nice gesture.