Outdoor Digital TV antenna and recording Programs

[arkydog]

As the title says i finally got off of satellite TV and am using a digital Tv antenna for my tv programs. I can get 29 channels, about 15 I watch. is there a way or device that can be used to record one of these stations broadcast over the airways? Maybe also record 1 or more stations while watching another station? my television is also digital and has a USB and a thumb drive port. I have access to both windows 10 and MacBook computers. I live about 90-100 miles from towers and reception is good!

Any help would be appreciated! thanks again!

 

[snymat68]

Here's an article posted this month...

Best DVR for cord cutters 219 | TechHive

 

[drssg]

Here's an article posted this month...

Best DVR for cord cutters 219 | TechHive

That’s quite a write up. I had never heard of most of them. I think the OP’s stated requirements are fairly basic.

I currently use a TiVo Romio OTA, and I’m basically happy with it. Before that, I had an older model from ChannelMaster, which is probably irrelevant to the current offerings.

I have had some issues with both models related to hardware longevity. My TiVo has had a fan go bad twice. They have sent me a full replacement unit for free, but the process to transfer existing recordings to the new TiVo is horrendous. I don’t know whether other options are more reliable over the long haul.

One of my top requirements was that the ongoing cost is $0/month. Both of the units I’ve used meet that, but they offer a bunch of subscription streaming options for those who are interested.

It’s also nice for pausing and replaying live TV.

 

[hawkeye08]

I still have a channel master DVR for OTA tv.. but it is only on one TV, so is limited. My next box will be on the home network and allow devices to stream recorded shows from it..

 

[TractorGuy]

If you want to try something on the cheap you can go with an Ematic Digital Converter box. Even though you don't need it as a converter it has the capability to record. Not super user friendly but it does work. I have one with a 128 GB solid state hard drive plugged into it. Haven't used it a lot but I have recorded some shows I wanted to look at later. I have also pulled the video off the hard drive and played them back on the computer or burned them to dvd.

https://www.walmart.com/ip/Ematic-A...D-Display-and-Recording-Capabilities/28505040

 

[arkydog]

i appreciate the responses!!! i just got back in from outside and will go thru the responses tomorrow and follow up. side not im not real computer literate but will definitely get back. thanks again.

 

[arkydog]

i started looking at the ones mentioned above and i forgot to add to the requirements that i have dsl but it is just a little faster than dial-up. 0.67 mb where dial-up is 0.45mb. live 8 miles down a one way in, one way out. streaming i think would definitely out.

 

[dlctcg]

If streaming is not important... I'll vote hands down TiVo. Their user interface is easy / friendly & there hardware does what it is suppose to do... If streaming was your priority I might choose differently but for OTA I would go TiVo.

drssg - that is weird you have had the fan failures your having....kind of sorry to hear that... Our company (we do custom home automation) has been installing TiVo units for years & we rarely see hardware issues. The only time we see issues usually is if the unit is not getting enough free air (multiple reasons for that), or there is a power issue... ie brown-outs, low voltage, surges, voltage fluctuations, or grounding issues... Other than that their hardware has been rock solid for us for the past 8 plus years we've been dealers & we have a lot of them out there. I do agree transferring existing recorded video to a new unit is cumbersome (however is it was a cable company DVR you wouldn't even have that option).... really sorry to here you are having these issues...

Personally my vote is still for TiVo... it what I personally use over the DVR the our cable company offers...

 

[drssg]

FWIW, the fans in my TiVo never went totally bad. They started making a fair amount of noise. It was loud enough that I had to turn the TV up to hear it over the DVR fan.

In both cases, the noise mysteriously went away several days later. That was AFTER I already had a replacement in route. So I went ahead and swapped out the unit.

I’m glad to hear that those problems are not typical. Hopefully this TiVo will last a good while.

 

[raptorterry]

I have never owned a Tivo DVR but am interested in the idea.
I have a couple questions about the DVR.

Does the DVR always have make those 'circus' bebop noises when using the remote?

And will the Tivo record programs on it's own based it what it thinks you might like?