PVR suggestions...

[usernamenumber]

My dad is interest in getting a DVR, but does not want a Tivo because he is used to that old-fashioned notion from the days of VCRs when you didn't have to jump through hoops to record something onto portable media, transfer between media, etc.

So basically the things he wants to be able to do, in rough order of priority, are:

- Rip all his DVDs so he can watch them easily from a single interface
- Record shows from television
- Burn recorded shows to DVD for backup and playing on other TVs

I know there are companies out there that sell pre-config'd mythtv boxes and things like that, and I think a few of you actually have them or something similar. So, does anyone have recommendations for the above?

Comments

[heiligekuh.livejournal.com]

Unfortunately, there are no "boxes" that do this. The closest I've seen to something that has a remote-driven couch interface is the Neuros ( http://www.neurostechnology.com/ ), and that doesn't do any CD/DVD work at all.


Since that's true, I would steer you away from any of the integrated suites. As much as I enjoyed mythtv when I ran it (2004-2007), I found it easier to use the regular mac interface for import and backup, along with VLC for stored playback, rather than myth+plugins.

So what you're looking for is a general purpose PC that can output to the TV (HDMI or DVI), and then a bunch of storage. It's up to his comfort zone wether that's Linux, Mac or Windows, and wether you want to put a TB of storage behind the TV or someplace else on the network.

If he's comfortable having a "backend" machine for import, storage and backup, then I'd suggest one of these snazzy Fit machines - http://www.fit-pc.com/web/ Then just buy a generic small tower and slap a Hauppage card in there for $80. http://www.hauppauge.com/

If he'd like it as one unit by the TV, then I'd suggest either the MacMini or the Dell Studio Hybrid Desktop. Both are small and quiet enough to run in the liviing room, but still very capable machines. Both would require a USB capture device, like this (http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0013PQ6P4?ie=UTF8&tag=mcgzgy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B0013PQ6P4 ) this ( http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/Home+Video/Studio+Family/Video+Capture+for+Mac.htm ) or this ( http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B000ES849M?ie=UTF8&tag=mcgzgy-20&linkCode=as2&camp=1789&creative=390957&creativeASIN=B000ES849M )

Sorry for the giant amazon links. nap time pending...

[laurion]

Indeed, there is nothing out of the box that does this. The TiVo, in conjunction with some of the software that runs on your PC and pairs with that, might be able to do some of this. The hardest part is that there is no box out there that will rip DVDs. Breaking the DRM on DVDs is technically illegal, and no company wants to turn out a product that does that, because they'd be shut down in a heartbeat.

Now, that said, I built a box with SageTV. It'll run on any of the OS options out there. It can easily be paired with scripts or tools that -do- rip DVDs. I have done this. I have not gotten to the point of burning recordings to DVD, but that is also a fairly trivial option.

[(Anonymous)]

My current set-up, for the record:

mac mini
2 TB External Drive

I rip dvds infrequently, but use handbrake. VLC for all playback. No capture. Most of the time I run the mini on the TV and control it via the laptops using Teleport. Sometimes I put it in the closet with the router and stream through the 360, but not during Doctor Who season.

In the past I've run the Mac Mini as the MythTV frontend, and run myth with a hauppage card.