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Woot has the Simple.TV network DVR for $99, pricing includes lifetime premier service. Seems reasonable, so I went ahead and got one for my mother.
I'm not sure a single tuner OTA/clear QAM only network DVR is right for all users, but I figured the price was decent given its features and the ease of use seemed better than most roll your own network DVR options, so why not give it a shot. In this particular case, there shouldn't be any additional costs past the $105 shipped for the Simple.TV. My mom already has a Roku (gave her an older Roku XD to replace her Apple TV) as a recording viewer box, I can certainly gift her an extra hard drive for storing her DVR recordings, and she already has an OTA antenna for tuning the locals. Seems like all the bases are covered.
Hoping this is a nice step up from her current use of VCR and swapping tapes. If nothing else (read as my mom hates change and the experiment is a failure), I'll use it to grab kid's show for my daughter's enjoyment. Perhaps some sports for myself.
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Some additional info. Simple.TV is a little stand alone box that plus into your current network via Ethernet and allows for recording of OTA or clear QAM signal to an attached USB hard drive. You can access the content of the DVR from a Roku, iOS device, or Mac/PC. Android purported to be shipping soon.
Basic device allows for watching and record live TV and watch recorded TV. The Premier service adds:
- schedule episode recordings (automated, manual supported with basic service)
- schedule series recordings
- electronic program guide
- program imagery and details
- streaming to apps/browser over Internet (LAN supported with basic service)
FYI, there's version 2 hardware scheduled to ship sometime in the future and a software update coming. I'm some users will be better served to waiting, but I figured $99 was low enough to dip my toe into the product. The lifetime service is supposed to be transferable to newer devices and might even cover multiple concurrent devices. That's what I was reading in the woot discussion anyway.
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Let us know how you like it.
As a long time Tivo user, I would prefer a used TivoHD with lifetime service over the $299 Simple.TV with lifetime Premier service.
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$99 right now, not $399, that's the big selling point of the Woot offering. Otherwise, I feel you. I wouldn't pay $399 for either product. My mom essentially records one show on a regular basis.
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99 for device and then you need a hard drive (powered or unpowered?) and a roku. So the price tag does add up if you don't have those items. I'm wondering if it is really a DLNA server. If so some tv support that natively and you wouldn't need the roku.
Sine this item is only recording OTA channels I don't think there is a strong advantage over an el gato device, same price range, that can drop videos right into iTunes. Not sure which device would be more mother friendly. Not throwing water on the device, just looking at the reviews etc. would love to hear how it works out for her. Also, can the files be moved to a mac? Format?
Slight thread jack, does anyone know of a DLNA client for the iPhone or iPad?
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I would prefer using LG tv. which is $199 and it's simple.
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There are $79.99 generic ATSC DVRs on ebay - single tuner, byo hard drive, but with HDMI out, so no need for a Roku.
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Bill in NC wrote:
There are $79.99 generic ATSC DVRs on ebay - single tuner, byo hard drive, but with HDMI out, so no need for a Roku.
I really wish Apple had made a Mac Mini with BR plus a built-in DVR.
That would have been an amazing HTPC.
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davemchine wrote:
99 for device and then you need a hard drive (powered or unpowered?) and a roku. So the price tag does add up if you don't have those items. I'm wondering if it is really a DLNA server. If so some tv support that natively and you wouldn't need the roku.
As with Forrest's post, I agree in principle, but not in this particular case when considering the info given in my original post. I have a Roku, I have a hard drive, and I have an antenna. There's no additional cost for me. You don't need a Roku either, an iOS device, Mac, and PC is also compatible. Android is likely to be available soon, but I'm not banking on vaporware. I really need to buy for what the device does now, not in the future. You never know.
davemchine wrote: Since this item is only recording OTA channels I don't think there is a strong advantage over an el gato device, same price range, that can drop videos right into iTunes. Not sure which device would be more mother friendly. Not throwing water on the device, just looking at the reviews etc. would love to hear how it works out for her. Also, can the files be moved to a mac? Format?
An El Gato tuner is not in the running at all. Auto drop into iTunes is not any particular advantage in this case, in fact, any requirement to use a computer for recording rules out many of these alternate tuner options from El Gato and other companies. She wants something where once everything is set up, which can be done straight from the Roku apparently, she simply brings up the interface for viewing on the Roku. No extra user facing devices.
I would think the files can be moved to the Mac if you disconnect the external drive from the Simple.tv and then connect to the Mac. There is supposed to be support for archiving functionality through the web interface coming in a future software update.
Hopefully everything works out, but I won't know for a couple weeks.
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Bill in NC wrote:
There are $79.99 generic ATSC DVRs on ebay - single tuner, byo hard drive, but with HDMI out, so no need for a Roku.
That would be a pretty nice option. Then again, I like the option of any compatible device in the home having access to the tuner and not just the one TV directly connected to a non network DVR. Also, the Roku already connected to my mom's TV means one less device and remote needed to make things works. Those two features might be worth the $20 difference. Guess I'll find out. Fingers crossed everything works okay.
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