I keep seeing people say that a lifetime subscription to TiVo pays for itself after 2-3 years. Since I don't want the subscription, I don't see how paying an upfront fee for the subscription can pay for itself over time.
Okay, I'll rephrase it. When you pay for a "Lifetime Subscription" you are paying for a TiVo box that is not being Subsidized by their expected profit from the Monthly Subscription fees.
The unsubsidized cost is higher upfront, but removes the recurring monthly fees. The cost paid for the Unsubsidized cost usually drops below the cost for a Subsidized box, plus the accumulated monthly fees after 2-3 years.
If you don't want the monthly fee because you think the monthly fee is too expensive, then looking at it as a cost distributed over the life of the TiVo DVR, might help decrease the effective cost for some people (currently my TiVo is 3 years old and counting).
If you don't want the monthly fee because you don't want another monthly fee, then the lifetime also addresses that, since it raises the initial investment but removes the monthly recurring charge (this was a big factor for me).
If you don't want the monthly fee, OR the lifetime fee (for an unsubsidized box), because you believe that it just costs too much, then you're right. TiVo is probably not what you are looking for.
For lots of us though, having an Appliance that "just works" and can pass the "Wife Test" without our needing to perform a complicated setup or ongoing maintenance is worth it, even with the relatively high up-front cost, once you remove the ongoing monthly fees.
TiVo DOES have a "Lifetime Subscription" option instead of a monthly fee. It breaks even at about 2-3 years.
Also, TiVo has already partnered with both Netflix and Blockbuster on-line.
For Hulu, I've been using a MacMini running http://www.zinc.tv/, but I'm hoping the TiVo announcement at the Top Of the Rock (at the beginning of March), might announce Hulu support.
If they do THAT, on top of everything they are already doing, then I think it would go a huge way toward getting people to buy them.
Heck, with a TiVo and the MacMini, I've ditched cable. Even if I was paying the Monthly fee, instead of the Lifetime Fee, I'd still be saving money buy removing the Cable monthly fee from those I had to pay.
That is exactly the problem I have with it: the monthly fee. It is outrageously high for providing scheduling information. If it was 1/2 the current price, I might be able to justify it. No way at 12.95. The hardware is a bit pricey, but it isn't really the deal breaker for me. I just can't abide that monthly fee.
Then go for the Lifetime Subscription, which removes the hardware/software/updates subsidy and never bothers you for another fee again.
It worked for me 4 years ago and I'ts made me very happy. Heck, I was even able to get rid of Cable 6 months ago, and life has only gotten better.
Picked up a HTPC to handle Internet TV like Hulu/iTunes, while TiVo handles the Over-The-Air TV and Amazon. Between the two of them, I've got more content, with less commercials, at a MUCH lower per month price, but a much higher upfront cost (the break even point, can be 1-2 years depending on what parts of the equations you already have).
I thought they offered a "Lifetime Subscription" fee (the life of the box), that hit the break-even point after ~2-3 years?
If you don't want to pay a monthly fee, then get the Lifetime subscription (like I did), and enjoy your box without the monthly cost.
Yeah, it means more upfront cost, but it IS an option.
For the record, my Wife uses the TiVo (and loves it). She also uses the PS3 for DVD/Blu-Ray playback, but hasn't quite caught on to the Video download part of it. I'm also working with her on using the HTPC to watch Hulu, but it is slow going.
Perhaps if Tivo eliminated the monthly fee, then they'd takeoff like iPod, but most people simply don't see the need to throw-away money like that. They have to budget their spending, which means they choose options without the fees (like I did).
Well... considering that I've been a TiVo user for the past 5 years, and have not payed a monthly fee, I'm not sure what you mean.
They have always (with the exception of a short period of about 4-6 months), offered the option of buying a "Lifetime Subscription" instead of a "Monthly Subscription". The cost of the Lifetime Subscription usually pays for itself after about 2-3 years, but there is no recurring expenses.
The main problem is that people seem to get sticker shock for large up-front costs (unsubsidized DVR, Lifetime Subscription), versus paying less per month, but paying more long term.
I ditched cable about six months ago, replacing it with a TiVo for Over-The-Air signals, and a MacMini both hooked up to DSL through Verizon.
According to the numbers I've run, assuming you are paying ~$120 for Cable/CableModem, assuming you need to buy all the hardware from scratch (32" HDTV, MacMini, TiVo HDXL w/Lifetime Service, cables, Antenna, etc.), and including the monthly DSL cost, you hit the break even point in ~2 years (MAX). Already own an HDTV? The Break even point drops to about 1.3-1.5 years.
This works great for me. - The TiVo w/Dual tuners pulls in enough Over The Air content (living in NYC where I had LOUSY reception before the Digital switch), it also has access to Amazon Video on Demand to supplement shows/movies that aren't on Hulu, or Over-The-Air TV. - The MacMini makes a great HTPC for Internet TV like Hulu (great for a lot of "Cable Original" programming), etc (check out http://www.zinc.tv/ for a great OSX/Windows from end to Internet TV). It also has access to iTunes to supplement Video from if you want to watch a show/movie that isn't on Hulu or Amazon Video.
I'm saving $100 a month over when I had Cable and still have more viewing choices then I know what to do with, all with NO recurring monthly charges.
Change the Default SSID: Change the default SSID from "Verizon MiFi2200 XXXX Secure" to another value that is not common, but not unique either (somewhere in the middle) to mitigate precomputed PSK attacks, as well as general wireless anonymity attacks.
I suggest using linksys or netgear.:D
Nothing like watching script kiddies THINK they know what the router is, and bashing their heads trying to figure out why they can't get into what MUST be an unconfigured network.
Only catch is if you're in an environment with lots of them pre-configured in which case 'FreeWiFi' is also good (with a nice strong random password of course:P ).
Because NBC was the main push behind Hulu bringing programming from NBC, USA and SyFy (nee' SciFi).
Fox is certainly on board, but ABC has only recently started to dip their toe into the waters and put their content on it (and even then, its tentative, marketing type runs). Most of ABC's on-line show related content is still locked up in their proprietary web-site and Flash GUI. The only other network that is even close to them is the CW (do they even count as a network anymore?)
If Comcast takes over NBC and decides to cancel or otherwise interfere with Hulu broadcasting more that the current Hulu standard, it could impact the use/utility of the service.
It remains to be seen if another service would rise in its place (although I hope one would).
I agree because I can get all of the things you list from OTA or the Internet. Now, the Internet isn't free. Truth is I pay way too much for the limited service I receive. However, OTA is free. In an area where you do have good OTA service, why would you pay for basic cable?
Because OTA WASN'T a viable option in the most highly populated metropolises of the US, until Digital TV came in and relevelled the playing field?
When I was growing up, OTA in manhattan was not a viable alternative if you wanted local channels. You HAD to get cable (unless your building had a roof antenna installed, which lots don't).
Now, post Digital transition, the signal it MUCH clearer and let me do away with TWC, and every day without brings me joy and gladness.
Add to that one other word that most people seem to be leaving out of the thoughts: Hulu
Hulu was started and is still back in large part by NBC.
It is a distribution mechanism that has the potential to completely obsolete Cable Companies (except as ISPs), and buying NBC might give Comcast a stake in the company, or at least a say in the direction of the company ("Maybe we should run more adverts", "how about a three week delay and only show the last two episodes", "we really shouldn't run 'cable exclusive' content").
I'm just as happy having Hulu in the hands of content Producers and Over-The-Air broadcasters who are less used to draconian control of the distribution channel (VCR have been around for a while, and Pay-Per-View/On-Demand hasn't been an issue for Broadcast TV).
Hulu, and other Over-The-Internet broadcasters, are the main reason I was able to "kick the cable habit" and eject TWC from my life.
Without it, it will be tougher but doable (and hopefully an alternative would spring up). It would also be tougher to convince others to make the switch and live life "cable free".
If you've got Series2 TiVos, then you'll need Digital Converter boxes that the TiVo's will control, the same way they do the cable boxes right now. They run ~$40 each (you'll probably want one for each television). Before I jumped shipped we had already switched to a Series3 and an HDTV, so I'm not sure which models are recommended. Try looking/asking here: http://www.tivocommunity.com/.
Things to keep in mind: If you replace one of the TiVos with a Series3, TiVoHD or TiVoHD-XL they come with built-in Dual Tuners and can output to SD also. The Series3 models are also the ones that support NetFlix, BlockBuster, and AmazonVideo.
I would recommend looking into a HTPC that can be plugged into the TV to support Internet Video. I commented on some of the things here: http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1464648&cid=30306402 (linked rather than reprinting).
In a nutshell, I'd suggest to look at something that can run Zinc (or something like it) (if you are going to want to go down the road of using Over-The-Internet Video to supplement Over-The-Air).
Another alternative I didn't mention in that posting was that a PS3 would make a decent "companion device". Out of the box it plays DVDs and Blu-Ray (I know you don't care, about the HD, but its nice to know it isn't going to go obsolete). Sony also their own video store that carries a lot of shows "timely" (similar to iTunes and AmazonVideo). Add in something like PlayOn running on a Networked Windows PC and you've got the NetFlix and Hulu content running on your TV.
If you've already got a PS3, XBox360 or Wii, you can download a two week trial of it and give it a whirl to see if it might work.
You can do all of this with an SD TV, you'll probably have more wires, and it will be a more complicated/cumbersome setup, but if you've already got most of the equipment (TVs and TiVos), then its not a terrible road to go down.
Other things to keep in mind, are that most people I know with CableTV also have CableModems. The cable companies will often charge higher rates if you JUST get the internet connection from them. When I dropped Cable, I dropped them for everything and switched to DSL from Verizon. I already had a land line, so it was just a self-install kit, and phone call or two to get it all connected, but its something to keep in mind.
Verizon had a two week "cancellation" clause, so I didn't cancel my cable, till I'd had the DSL line put in, switched everything over, and had already disconnected from the cable in my house.
Most of the decisions really come down to personal choices that are based in large part around what you already have.
If I can help answer any more questions, just track me down at my username@ att and then just add a.net to the end.:)
PS3 uses... substantially more. And don't they have a reputation for dying?
So let's see... Costs more, less reliable, uses more power, and is produced by a corporation that famous for being evil. Yep, you definitely picked a winner there.
I'd agree with the "uses substantially more power and costs more (although its power usage is WAY down and $300 is MUCH cheaper than it was on launch).
As for dying regularly and being produced by a corporation "that is[sic] famous for being evil"... Not to start a flamewar (or take a troll's bait) but I think you're confusing the PS3 with some other game system whose name starts with X...
I then realized that 90% of what I watched was available: 1) Over-The-Air. Great reception in a metropolitan city, meant I didn't NEED cable for local channels anymore. Any TiVo that uses CableCards also has a built in HD tuner so you should already be set to go, and as an added bonus, anything you can receive over the air in Digital shouldn't have a copy flag set, and the HD quality will usually be better than cable.
2) Over-The-Internet Free. No... I don't mean Bit-Torrent. I mean legitimate sources. Most of the cable shows I wanted to see were "broadcast" on-line via Hulu, or other legitimate web-sites.
3) Over-The-Internet Paid. Okay, sometimes it isn't always available free. You missed the "free window" (most places only leave the last two-5 episodes on-line), or you MUST watch it as soon as everyone else. iTunes, AmazonVideo, Sony's PSN-Video store, and who knows what other places now routinely have TV shows available the day after broadcast for ~$2-$3 an episode. Considering you can save ~$100 a MONTH by canceling cable, you can still come out ahead.
4) Season Compilation DVDs. If you ABSOLUTELY must see a show that is available on-line (latest season of Doctor Who being broadcast on BBC America?), and that doesn't have an OTI-Paid option, then you can almost always be sure there will be a Season Compilation DVD out soon.
The only catch was needing a HTPC to handle the Internet TV part of the equation (perhaps that should be a new "Ask Slashdot"?:) ).
The best I've found so far is a mac-mini running Zinc (from ZeeVee). It runs on Windows and OSX and is basically a stripped down version of FireFox with some specialized plug-ins.
Personally its a GREAT interface to all the free internet sources out there, I'd recommend anyone exploring internet content sources to give it a look.
Not sure how TiVo fails on that. I use the Windows TiVo desktop client to transcode shows for my portable (PSP), and my wife's iPod (direct import into iTunes).
It's not perfect, and if I remember right there was a one time 5-15$ fee for this function (TiVo Desktop Plus) to cover the codec patents (boo hiss, but not TiVo's fault for not wanting to risk lawsuit), but it works pretty well, including being able to set up automatic download, transcode.
The only reason I can think of NOT to spend the money up front on a Lifetime subscription, is if you believe the unit will need to be replaced (without warrantee coverage), before the "break even point" (which I mention again is ~2 to 2.5 years).
One advantage of using a Series 2 with DirectTV (or a Cable Box), is that you can use TiVo2Go to transfer any of the recordings made from the TiVo to a computer.
With a Series3 w/CableCards, you're at the mercy of the CableCompany to not Flag any and all content (besides what they MUST provide in the clear), as not allowed to be transferred.
This was another reason dropping cable and switching to Over-The-Air was more enticing. All the content I record can be backed up, transcoded to a portable format (PSP, iTunes, Etc.), watched on a computer, or just burned to DVD.
Not up to the "open source" standard, but on the whole, pretty functional.
The "downside" of a Series 2 is no HD quality. SD quality only.
The Original Questioner asks " So my questions to you: What DVR software do you use? Are you happy with it? What don't you like? Are there any packages out there that 'just work' as media hubs and for time-shifting cable TV?"
I realize that the TITLE says "PC based DVR software" and the questioner certainly mentions only that, but they don't mention commercial solutions at all, so I'll throw in my answer:
TiVo
I have a Series3 that I bought with a lifetime contract ~2 years ago. I do not pay a monthly fee, and as of now, I am "saving" that cost (the lifetime contract covers ~ 2 - 2.5 years of monthly service fees).
- It has two built in tuners. - It integrates with most IR remotes. - It can be controlled via IP (there are free remotes for iPhone/IPod and other devices to control it, etc.) - TiVo maintains a web site where you can log in and tell your DVR to record something. - Any Internet enabled TiVo (Series3, TiVoHD, TiVoHD-XL) can also hook into AmazonVideo, Netflix and Blockbuster accounts.
- It also passes "the wife" test.
Outside of initial setup (when we were on cable TV and I had to get TWC to come out and put CableCards in the thing), the ONLY maintenance I've had to do is reset its listings when we decided to drop cable completely and switch to using an Over-The-Air antenna, and changing the batteries in the remote.
One could argue a Puma is essentially the same thing as a Cougar/Mountain Lion... Not much in the way of big cats native to the United States.
True. We don't have many BIG cats in the U.S.... just a lot of FAT cats (greater concentrations can be found in the vicinity of State Capitols and Washington D.C.).
I thought a bangalore was a man portable explosive, telescoping lance used to take out pill boxes in WW2?
That was an offshoot technology. They've finally got all the bugs ironed out and the CPU is much less prone to "uncontrolled exothermic reactions" then it use to be.
I think his comment was, that if you write software from the perspective of a "Software Engineer" then "Process is good".
It is interesting now that the dust has settled, that it seems that Rejections are much less mysterious than some people made it out to be (and often point to issues that might bite a program in the butt, over the long term).
From Apple's perspective, making sure people strictly adhere to external APIs means that an APP is less likely to "mysteriously break", and keeps Apple from being locked into bad APIs that were never mean to be external ('ala MS). It also means that the same programs might be able to support new hardware/OSs without any reworking, provided the APIs are properly written and adhered to.
From a "Software Slinger's" perspective, I assume he meant someone who was solely interested in getting things out the door as fast as possible, process and adherence to APIs be darned.
I can see where that type of developer might have a problem with the approval process.
Slashdot Mirror
Okay, I'll rephrase it. When you pay for a "Lifetime Subscription" you are paying for a TiVo box that is not being Subsidized by their expected profit from the Monthly Subscription fees.
The unsubsidized cost is higher upfront, but removes the recurring monthly fees. The cost paid for the Unsubsidized cost usually drops below the cost for a Subsidized box, plus the accumulated monthly fees after 2-3 years.
If you don't want the monthly fee because you think the monthly fee is too expensive, then looking at it as a cost distributed over the life of the TiVo DVR, might help decrease the effective cost for some people (currently my TiVo is 3 years old and counting).
If you don't want the monthly fee because you don't want another monthly fee, then the lifetime also addresses that, since it raises the initial investment but removes the monthly recurring charge (this was a big factor for me).
If you don't want the monthly fee, OR the lifetime fee (for an unsubsidized box), because you believe that it just costs too much, then you're right. TiVo is probably not what you are looking for.
For lots of us though, having an Appliance that "just works" and can pass the "Wife Test" without our needing to perform a complicated setup or ongoing maintenance is worth it, even with the relatively high up-front cost, once you remove the ongoing monthly fees.
Yeah ... why didn't they put an option to set this up?
Something like:
Messages & Settings -> Settings -> Video -> Video Output Format
I mean, how hard would it have been?
Oh. That IS where the setting is? Never mind then.
TiVo DOES have a "Lifetime Subscription" option instead of a monthly fee. It breaks even at about 2-3 years.
Also, TiVo has already partnered with both Netflix and Blockbuster on-line.
For Hulu, I've been using a MacMini running http://www.zinc.tv/, but I'm hoping the TiVo announcement at the Top Of the Rock (at the beginning of March), might announce Hulu support.
If they do THAT, on top of everything they are already doing, then I think it would go a huge way toward getting people to buy them.
Heck, with a TiVo and the MacMini, I've ditched cable. Even if I was paying the Monthly fee, instead of the Lifetime Fee, I'd still be saving money buy removing the Cable monthly fee from those I had to pay.
Then go for the Lifetime Subscription, which removes the hardware/software/updates subsidy and never bothers you for another fee again.
It worked for me 4 years ago and I'ts made me very happy. Heck, I was even able to get rid of Cable 6 months ago, and life has only gotten better.
Picked up a HTPC to handle Internet TV like Hulu/iTunes, while TiVo handles the Over-The-Air TV and Amazon. Between the two of them, I've got more content, with less commercials, at a MUCH lower per month price, but a much higher upfront cost (the break even point, can be 1-2 years depending on what parts of the equations you already have).
Considering that T-Mobile and AT&T are GSM while Verizon is CDMA, "bring your own phone" for a Verizon user isn't that much of an incentive.
(said as a longtime happy T-mobile user)
I thought they offered a "Lifetime Subscription" fee (the life of the box), that hit the break-even point after ~2-3 years?
If you don't want to pay a monthly fee, then get the Lifetime subscription (like I did), and enjoy your box without the monthly cost.
Yeah, it means more upfront cost, but it IS an option.
For the record, my Wife uses the TiVo (and loves it). She also uses the PS3 for DVD/Blu-Ray playback, but hasn't quite caught on to the Video download part of it. I'm also working with her on using the HTPC to watch Hulu, but it is slow going.
Well ... considering that I've been a TiVo user for the past 5 years, and have not payed a monthly fee, I'm not sure what you mean.
They have always (with the exception of a short period of about 4-6 months), offered the option of buying a "Lifetime Subscription" instead of a "Monthly Subscription". The cost of the Lifetime Subscription usually pays for itself after about 2-3 years, but there is no recurring expenses.
The main problem is that people seem to get sticker shock for large up-front costs (unsubsidized DVR, Lifetime Subscription), versus paying less per month, but paying more long term.
I ditched cable about six months ago, replacing it with a TiVo for Over-The-Air signals, and a MacMini both hooked up to DSL through Verizon.
According to the numbers I've run, assuming you are paying ~$120 for Cable/CableModem, assuming you need to buy all the hardware from scratch (32" HDTV, MacMini, TiVo HDXL w/Lifetime Service, cables, Antenna, etc.), and including the monthly DSL cost, you hit the break even point in ~2 years (MAX). Already own an HDTV? The Break even point drops to about 1.3-1.5 years.
This works great for me.
- The TiVo w/Dual tuners pulls in enough Over The Air content (living in NYC where I had LOUSY reception before the Digital switch), it also has access to Amazon Video on Demand to supplement shows/movies that aren't on Hulu, or Over-The-Air TV.
- The MacMini makes a great HTPC for Internet TV like Hulu (great for a lot of "Cable Original" programming), etc (check out http://www.zinc.tv/ for a great OSX/Windows from end to Internet TV). It also has access to iTunes to supplement Video from if you want to watch a show/movie that isn't on Hulu or Amazon Video.
I'm saving $100 a month over when I had Cable and still have more viewing choices then I know what to do with, all with NO recurring monthly charges.
So HE'S the one that tried to hack my WiFi!! ;)
Yeah, but just think, if we create a small distro for this. :)
From The Fine Article:
I suggest using linksys or netgear. :D
Nothing like watching script kiddies THINK they know what the router is, and bashing their heads trying to figure out why they can't get into what MUST be an unconfigured network.
Only catch is if you're in an environment with lots of them pre-configured in which case 'FreeWiFi' is also good (with a nice strong random password of course :P ).
Because NBC was the main push behind Hulu bringing programming from NBC, USA and SyFy (nee' SciFi).
Fox is certainly on board, but ABC has only recently started to dip their toe into the waters and put their content on it (and even then, its tentative, marketing type runs). Most of ABC's on-line show related content is still locked up in their proprietary web-site and Flash GUI. The only other network that is even close to them is the CW (do they even count as a network anymore?)
If Comcast takes over NBC and decides to cancel or otherwise interfere with Hulu broadcasting more that the current Hulu standard, it could impact the use/utility of the service.
It remains to be seen if another service would rise in its place (although I hope one would).
Because OTA WASN'T a viable option in the most highly populated metropolises of the US, until Digital TV came in and relevelled the playing field?
When I was growing up, OTA in manhattan was not a viable alternative if you wanted local channels. You HAD to get cable (unless your building had a roof antenna installed, which lots don't).
Now, post Digital transition, the signal it MUCH clearer and let me do away with TWC, and every day without brings me joy and gladness.
I agree wholeheartedly. To quote my post when news of the deal first leaked out at the beginning of October:
http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1388655&cid=29605029
Hulu, and other Over-The-Internet broadcasters, are the main reason I was able to "kick the cable habit" and eject TWC from my life.
Without it, it will be tougher but doable (and hopefully an alternative would spring up). It would also be tougher to convince others to make the switch and live life "cable free".
If you've got Series2 TiVos, then you'll need Digital Converter boxes that the TiVo's will control, the same way they do the cable boxes right now. They run ~$40 each (you'll probably want one for each television).
Before I jumped shipped we had already switched to a Series3 and an HDTV, so I'm not sure which models are recommended. Try looking/asking here: http://www.tivocommunity.com/.
Things to keep in mind:
If you replace one of the TiVos with a Series3, TiVoHD or TiVoHD-XL they come with built-in Dual Tuners and can output to SD also.
The Series3 models are also the ones that support NetFlix, BlockBuster, and AmazonVideo.
I would recommend looking into a HTPC that can be plugged into the TV to support Internet Video. I commented on some of the things here:
http://slashdot.org/comments.pl?sid=1464648&cid=30306402 (linked rather than reprinting).
In a nutshell, I'd suggest to look at something that can run Zinc (or something like it) (if you are going to want to go down the road of using Over-The-Internet Video to supplement Over-The-Air).
Another alternative I didn't mention in that posting was that a PS3 would make a decent "companion device".
Out of the box it plays DVDs and Blu-Ray (I know you don't care, about the HD, but its nice to know it isn't going to go obsolete). Sony also their own video store that carries a lot of shows "timely" (similar to iTunes and AmazonVideo).
Add in something like PlayOn running on a Networked Windows PC and you've got the NetFlix and Hulu content running on your TV.
If you've already got a PS3, XBox360 or Wii, you can download a two week trial of it and give it a whirl to see if it might work.
You can do all of this with an SD TV, you'll probably have more wires, and it will be a more complicated/cumbersome setup, but if you've already got most of the equipment (TVs and TiVos), then its not a terrible road to go down.
Other things to keep in mind, are that most people I know with CableTV also have CableModems. The cable companies will often charge higher rates if you JUST get the internet connection from them.
When I dropped Cable, I dropped them for everything and switched to DSL from Verizon. I already had a land line, so it was just a self-install kit, and phone call or two to get it all connected, but its something to keep in mind.
Verizon had a two week "cancellation" clause, so I didn't cancel my cable, till I'd had the DSL line put in, switched everything over, and had already disconnected from the cable in my house.
Most of the decisions really come down to personal choices that are based in large part around what you already have.
If I can help answer any more questions, just track me down at my username@ att and then just add a .net to the end. :)
I'd agree with the "uses substantially more power and costs more (although its power usage is WAY down and $300 is MUCH cheaper than it was on launch).
As for dying regularly and being produced by a corporation "that is[sic] famous for being evil" ... Not to start a flamewar (or take a troll's bait) but I think you're confusing the PS3 with some other game system whose name starts with X ...
I DID blame TWC.
I then realized that 90% of what I watched was available:
1) Over-The-Air. Great reception in a metropolitan city, meant I didn't NEED cable for local channels anymore. Any TiVo that uses CableCards also has a built in HD tuner so you should already be set to go, and as an added bonus, anything you can receive over the air in Digital shouldn't have a copy flag set, and the HD quality will usually be better than cable.
2) Over-The-Internet Free. No ... I don't mean Bit-Torrent. I mean legitimate sources. Most of the cable shows I wanted to see were "broadcast" on-line via Hulu, or other legitimate web-sites.
3) Over-The-Internet Paid. Okay, sometimes it isn't always available free. You missed the "free window" (most places only leave the last two-5 episodes on-line), or you MUST watch it as soon as everyone else. iTunes, AmazonVideo, Sony's PSN-Video store, and who knows what other places now routinely have TV shows available the day after broadcast for ~$2-$3 an episode. Considering you can save ~$100 a MONTH by canceling cable, you can still come out ahead.
4) Season Compilation DVDs. If you ABSOLUTELY must see a show that is available on-line (latest season of Doctor Who being broadcast on BBC America?), and that doesn't have an OTI-Paid option, then you can almost always be sure there will be a Season Compilation DVD out soon.
The only catch was needing a HTPC to handle the Internet TV part of the equation (perhaps that should be a new "Ask Slashdot"? :) ).
The best I've found so far is a mac-mini running Zinc (from ZeeVee). It runs on Windows and OSX and is basically a stripped down version of FireFox with some specialized plug-ins.
Personally its a GREAT interface to all the free internet sources out there, I'd recommend anyone exploring internet content sources to give it a look.
Not sure how TiVo fails on that. I use the Windows TiVo desktop client to transcode shows for my portable (PSP), and my wife's iPod (direct import into iTunes).
It's not perfect, and if I remember right there was a one time 5-15$ fee for this function (TiVo Desktop Plus) to cover the codec patents (boo hiss, but not TiVo's fault for not wanting to risk lawsuit), but it works pretty well, including being able to set up automatic download, transcode.
The only reason I can think of NOT to spend the money up front on a Lifetime subscription, is if you believe the unit will need to be replaced (without warrantee coverage), before the "break even point" (which I mention again is ~2 to 2.5 years).
One advantage of using a Series 2 with DirectTV (or a Cable Box), is that you can use TiVo2Go to transfer any of the recordings made from the TiVo to a computer.
With a Series3 w/CableCards, you're at the mercy of the CableCompany to not Flag any and all content (besides what they MUST provide in the clear), as not allowed to be transferred.
This was another reason dropping cable and switching to Over-The-Air was more enticing. All the content I record can be backed up, transcoded to a portable format (PSP, iTunes, Etc.), watched on a computer, or just burned to DVD.
Not up to the "open source" standard, but on the whole, pretty functional.
The "downside" of a Series 2 is no HD quality. SD quality only.
The Original Questioner asks " So my questions to you: What DVR software do you use? Are you happy with it? What don't you like? Are there any packages out there that 'just work' as media hubs and for time-shifting cable TV?"
I realize that the TITLE says "PC based DVR software" and the questioner certainly mentions only that, but they don't mention commercial solutions at all, so I'll throw in my answer:
TiVo
I have a Series3 that I bought with a lifetime contract ~2 years ago. I do not pay a monthly fee, and as of now, I am "saving" that cost (the lifetime contract covers ~ 2 - 2.5 years of monthly service fees).
- It has two built in tuners.
- It integrates with most IR remotes.
- It can be controlled via IP (there are free remotes for iPhone/IPod and other devices to control it, etc.)
- TiVo maintains a web site where you can log in and tell your DVR to record something.
- Any Internet enabled TiVo (Series3, TiVoHD, TiVoHD-XL) can also hook into AmazonVideo, Netflix and Blockbuster accounts.
- It also passes "the wife" test.
Outside of initial setup (when we were on cable TV and I had to get TWC to come out and put CableCards in the thing), the ONLY maintenance I've had to do is reset its listings when we decided to drop cable completely and switch to using an Over-The-Air antenna, and changing the batteries in the remote.
True. We don't have many BIG cats in the U.S. ... just a lot of FAT cats (greater concentrations can be found in the vicinity of State Capitols and Washington D.C.).
That was an offshoot technology. They've finally got all the bugs ironed out and the CPU is much less prone to "uncontrolled exothermic reactions" then it use to be.
There, fixed that for you.
Even the HCF instruction isn't properly implemented? What were these people thinking?!?!
I think his comment was, that if you write software from the perspective of a "Software Engineer" then "Process is good".
It is interesting now that the dust has settled, that it seems that Rejections are much less mysterious than some people made it out to be (and often point to issues that might bite a program in the butt, over the long term).
From Apple's perspective, making sure people strictly adhere to external APIs means that an APP is less likely to "mysteriously break", and keeps Apple from being locked into bad APIs that were never mean to be external ('ala MS). It also means that the same programs might be able to support new hardware/OSs without any reworking, provided the APIs are properly written and adhered to.
From a "Software Slinger's" perspective, I assume he meant someone who was solely interested in getting things out the door as fast as possible, process and adherence to APIs be darned.
I can see where that type of developer might have a problem with the approval process.