MightyPez
join:2002-05-01
Saint Paul, MN
 ·Comcast
| I am going that direction
I just had DirecTV raise their rates on me and I'm tired of paying $80/month. Granted, the service has been great and I love their high def, but it's just too much to be paying right now.
I made the decision a few weeks ago to build an HTPC with dual ATSC tuners for OTA high def recording. Mix that with the small monthly charge for Netflix streaming and free software line Zinc from Zeevee that streams video sources from all over teh internet, I will have essentially the same selection for programming.
Total cost? About $400 in PC parts plus the ~$10/month for Netflix. After 6 months I will recoup the cost of the PC in what I save on DirecTV. |
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SLD
Premium
join:2002-04-17
1 edit | I did something similar, but I used an HDHomerun to stream the TV feeds to the network and the HTPC records off that. Works great, and I can watch TV (live or recorded) on any PC or TV with a media extender or Xbox, two channels simultaneously. |
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xrobertcmx
Premium
join:2001-06-18
Sterling, VA
clubs: 
 ·Verizon FIOS
·Comcast
| reply to MightyPez
I put together a Linux machine using a AMD x4850e (45W) and run Mediatomb on it. The PS3 picks that up and I can stream all of my DVD's that I ripped.
If you are serious about building a HTPC, you might want to look at MythTV, I played with it a while back and really liked it, but didn't want to put the effort into getting it work with DirecTV. I may try it again now that I have moved to FIOS.
I've seen a few setups that are simply outstanding with it. People recording OTA HD or anaglog cable.
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Retaking our country one election at a time. |
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MightyPez
join:2002-05-01
Saint Paul, MN
·Comcast
| I've already decided on Windows Media Center. I get an academic license for Vista Ultimate so it's no cost to me. i really like MCE's interface and there is very good custom software that will re-encode recorded video to remove commercials from it.
I did go for the x4850e CPu though. low power and plenty of horse power. The AMD 780g chipset also includes a built in HD3200 with DVI out. very cool and saves money on a video card. |
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syslock
Premium
join:2007-02-03
Ann Arbor, MI
clubs:
·Comcast
| reply to MightyPez
Same here!
Tired of the compressed HD from comcast and the rental of the boxs they keep raising every year too. Comcast won't allow me to pull the content off their dvr to watch remotely or on my portable player! I don't have that problem anymore!
I have one dig box for the upper compressed channels and can get everything else HD over the air for free!
I am Very happy with my SageTV media server and HD200 boxs to watch live tv, stream my music collection, or let the kids watch their dvd's without scratching them all up. |
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Jason Levine
Premium
join:2001-07-13
USA
| reply to MightyPez
I've been thinking of doing something along those lines to save $66 a month on Time Warner Cable. My main problems are:
1. I like watching Mythbusters and there is no (legal) online source for Mythbusters except for Amazon where you need to pay per episode. So my setup would need to support Amazon paid VOD. I haven't found a setup that supports this.
2. I'd need a box for the living room and a box for our bedroom.
3. There seems to be virtually no kids programming online. My kids like watching Disney channel, Noggin, Sesame Street, etc. None of these are available online. (Yes, Netflix can alleviate this, but that's an added pain.)
So ditching cable doesn't seem like it is doable for me just yet, but it's getting there pretty rapidly. |
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xrobertcmx
Premium
join:2001-06-18
Sterling, VA
clubs:
·Verizon FIOS
·Comcast
| reply to MightyPez
That is a good chipset. I have the built in HD3200 on my desktop at home. I used it briefly, but ended up with an HD3870 for gaming.
Regretfully I don't have any discounts for Windows which is what sent me OpenSuSE. But Mediatomb has treated me really well.
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Retaking our country one election at a time. |
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odinb
join:2001-11-26
Frisco, TX
| reply to Jason Levine
PBS has Sesame street, Curious George, Arthur, Clifford and many more kids shows, and it is available OTA in HD.
Then you also have qubo for lots of other kids shows OTA.
For me the choice was easy, a HTPC running XBMC and MythTV combined with a TV tuner and OTA.
No more outrageous cable bills or box rental fees for me...
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"It is the first responsibility of every citizen to question authority." - Benjamin Franklin |
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rawwhide
Zer0
Premium
join:2000-09-03
Zero
clubs: | Not to mention cartoon network »www.cartoonnetwork.com/video/index.html |
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