Building A Low-Budget TiVo Substitute?

thepuma writes "Since I'm cheap, and don't want to pay monthly fees to Tivo, I am researching building my own low-budget Personal Video Recorder and player. Free software options include Freevo and MythTV. Hardware options are the main cost factor. How would you go about building the perfect low-budget PVR?" We've looked at similar questions before, but the guts of such a system (both hardware and software) have been improving -- MythTV, for instance, now supports Hauppauge's PVR-350 card. How would you build a system like this now?

Comments

Re:I'd just buy one

[CXI]

Now maybe people with something substantial to add to the discussion of homemade PVRs can post...

Dear PVR Zealot,
The guy requested a way to make exactly a Tivo but without paying for it. The answer to that question is you can't without spending more in time and money than just buying one. He didn't ask how to make a cool hacky-thing that will spend a lot of time and money for something that isn't a Tivo. For instance, he would be well informed to know:

- The free listing data available might not be as accurate as Tivo's (perhaps it's better, he should check).
- Does the homebrew PVR change channels for him? Did he even think of that? Is he going to be able to hack an infrared system up or rewire his cable box?
- Does he have satellite TV? If so there are options that can be directly integrated into the system he already has.

Now, go play with your homebrew PVR, while the rest of us uninformed people actually watch TV convieniently, without spending any extra time or money to do so in a "cool" fashion.

Re:Sage TV

[BadCable]

Yes,

There are plenty of guides on how to use different types of remotes and IR controllers on the Sage TV message board