SWharton Posted February 27, 2017 Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 This is from DW. Not sure this is the right forum for this so please feel free to move it. I am looking for a DVR just for OTA TV, no subscription. I can't seem to figure out the right search terms so that is what I need help with. When I enter DVR for OTA I get a lot of subscription services and I don't want those. I would like to record TV programs from OTA. That is all. A guide would be nice but not necessary. The only time I would use this is when I can't get my satellite to work(trees). DH loves his TV and I find this is limiting our selection of campgrounds since I always need to find one where he can set up the satellite(we do have 100' for cable). Thanks for any help. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
WeBeFulltimers Posted February 27, 2017 Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 I route my batwing through my Dish Network Hopper3 and when setting up in new area do a search for locals on the Hopper3. This gives me the locals with the ability to record on the DVR and the channels show up on the guide. I prefer this method as it does not require me calling or chatting Dish when we make a move out of spot beam and an added bonus is a $10 monthly deduction from bill for opting out of locals. Works for me. Fulltiming since September 1, 2010 2012 Ford F-350 PSD SRW Lariat Crew Cab 2012 Montana 3585SA Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted February 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 We have Directv with the national channels so I don't think we can do that, at least I don't feel we have the technical knowledge or confidence to do that. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted February 27, 2017 Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 I think you want a TIVO unit. They have models that use OTA as input. Please click for Emails instead of PM Mark & DaleJoey - 2016 Bounder 33C Tige - 2006 40' Travel SupremeSparky III - 2021 Mustang Mach-e, off the the Road since 2019 Useful HDT Truck, Trailer, and Full-timing Info atwww.dmbruss.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
roberjw49 Posted February 27, 2017 Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 Check out Channel Master DVR. They have what you are looking for. John John and Sharon2011 HH 38LKTG2001 4700LP2014 Chevy Cruze Diesel Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
chirakawa Posted February 27, 2017 Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 I think you want a TIVO unit. They have models that use OTA as input. Tivo has a subscription fee, either paid upfront or monthly/yearly. Everybody wanna hear the truth, but everybody tell a lie. Everybody wanna go to Heaven, but nobody want to die. Albert King Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted February 27, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 27, 2017 Oh, never thought about the TIVO. We have one that is 18 years old, lifetime subscription, its in the basemant of our house. I'll have to see if that fits in the cubbie, it is big like a VCR. I'll check out Channel Master also. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rynosback Posted February 28, 2017 Report Share Posted February 28, 2017 Check out Channel Master DVR. They have what you are looking for. John I have been using a channel master for almost two years now and LOVE it!!! 2015 Ram 3500 RC DRW CTD AISIN 410 rear 2016 Mobile Suites 38RSB3 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted February 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2017 Thought a little more about the old Tivo, think it is analog only. I will email Tivo to see if they will do a free replace to digital. I am not very hopeful gthat they will do this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Biker56 Posted February 28, 2017 Report Share Posted February 28, 2017 With DirecTV get a Genie receiver and record up to 5 channels at the same time. With it you can build up a lot of movies when they have those FREE weekends of the premium movie channels. Full Time since Oct. 199999 Discovery 34Q DP | ISBDatastorm | VMSpc | Co-Pilot Live | Pressure Pro2014 MKS Twin Turbo V6 365 HP Toad Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted February 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2017 I want to be able to record TV series when we are in trees and the sat. doesn't work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mark and Dale Bruss Posted February 28, 2017 Report Share Posted February 28, 2017 I want to be able to record TV series when we are in trees and the sat. doesn't work. That is what a ground tripod if for. Please click for Emails instead of PM Mark & DaleJoey - 2016 Bounder 33C Tige - 2006 40' Travel SupremeSparky III - 2021 Mustang Mach-e, off the the Road since 2019 Useful HDT Truck, Trailer, and Full-timing Info atwww.dmbruss.com Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted February 28, 2017 Author Report Share Posted February 28, 2017 We have that also with 100' of cable, useless. Have you ever camped in heavily treed cg in the east? Sun peaking through the tree cover is minimal. OTA is the only way to go, maybe, sometimes that doesn't even work. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted March 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 Does anyone have the Tivo OTA product?. Knterested in your input. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_M Posted March 2, 2017 Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 Here's a couple of units that will record OTA TV available from Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/Mediasonic-Homeworx-HW180STB-Converter-Recording/dp/B00IYETYX8/ref=sr_1_1?s=tv&ie=UTF8&qid=1488454834&sr=1-1&keywords=homeworx https://www.amazon.com/3500STBII-Multi-Function-Converter-Recording-Playback/dp/B00GOILYB6/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1488454990&sr=8-1&keywords=3500+stbii I have older versions of these boxes. They each have a single tuner and with the addition of an external USB hard drive will record. The software is a bit quirky but once you figure it out they work fairly well. They pull in a program guide from the broadcast TV signal but the process is very slow. The video quality is excellent. There are no subscription fees such as Tivo. Tom—————————————————2005 Born Free 24' Rear Bath Towing 1978 VW Bug convertible Minneapolis, MN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted March 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 Tivo ota doesn't have a subscription fee Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TreyandSusan Posted March 2, 2017 Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 We use Tablo. They have a 2 channel and 4 channel version. Requires episode guide fee. Monthly/Yearly/Lifetime (We chose Lifetime) And you would need a Roku (or other streaming device) to connect to TV and a portable hard drive. Small - Easy - low power. (And light for those of us who are RV weight conscious ) Works great! Susan & Trey Selman | email | HDT: '01 770 VED12 | 5er: '02 40' Travel Supreme RLTSOA | '16 Piaggio MP3 500 | '15 Smart Cabrio | Personal Blog | HHRV Resource Guide | HHRV Campgrounds | Recreation Vehicle Safety & Education Foundation | Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_M Posted March 2, 2017 Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 Tivo ota doesn't have a subscription fee No monthly subscription but you are basically paying for it in the purchase price. Quote form TiVo: "Best of all, it’s now available without a monthly TiVo service fee. Pay once and the rest is all free-TV gravy". "Free-TV gravy" ONLY costs $399. The boxes mentioned cost less than $40 plus the cost of a hard drive "and the rest is all free-TV gravy". Tom—————————————————2005 Born Free 24' Rear Bath Towing 1978 VW Bug convertible Minneapolis, MN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted March 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 Tivo is the same price as Channel Master, at least they are honest that it is gravy. Can I buy a box for $40 and get all the bells and whistles of the included software plus a 1 tb drive? Let me know where.......................... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted March 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 Tom, We just trashed our Iview. The quality of its display of instructions was so poor they were unreadable. We just had to guess along until we found the correct button to hit. I wouldn't go near them again. The other box is a converter box. We don't need that, all signals that we want are digital as is our TV. No longer any need to convert the digital to analog for us. Thanks Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BigBus Posted March 2, 2017 Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 Hi, We use channel master DVR+ for over 4 years now. Works 100% perfect http://www.channelmaster.com/DVR_Plus_p/cm-7500gb16.htm Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tom_M Posted March 2, 2017 Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 Tivo is the same price as Channel Master, at least they are honest that it is gravy. Can I buy a box for $40 and get all the bells and whistles of the included software plus a 1 tb drive? Let me know where.......................... Obviously for about $100 there are no bells and whistles. TiVo is the better choice compared to Channel Master. The iView and HomeWorx would come in a distant 3rd. If price is not an issue go with TiVo. Tom, We just trashed our Iview. The quality of its display of instructions was so poor they were unreadable. We just had to guess along until we found the correct button to hit. I wouldn't go near them again. The other box is a converter box. We don't need that, all signals that we want are digital as is our TV. No longer any need to convert the digital to analog for us. Thanks Both can be used as converter boxes and by adding a USB hard drive, they become a DVR. Both have High Def HDMI outputs. It sounds like you were using composite video out (yellow RCA connector). This would result in poor video The HDMI video out from either box is excellent. Tom—————————————————2005 Born Free 24' Rear Bath Towing 1978 VW Bug convertible Minneapolis, MN Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted March 2, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 2, 2017 I have no idea what we were using. We threw it out about a year ago but discovered we need something to record OTA when we are in trees. Now to make a decision. I like the Tivo, we have had a Tivo for 15-18 years and it keeps chugging along at home. We bought a lifetime subscription at the time. It would never work in the MH, needs a phone line, no wifi. We don't hit the road again until Sept so I have plenty of time to make a decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
morninghill Posted March 3, 2017 Report Share Posted March 3, 2017 We have the TIVO Roamio OTA with lifetime. Has shown up occasionally on Amazon under $300. Very compact, works well. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SWharton Posted March 3, 2017 Author Report Share Posted March 3, 2017 OK. I put a price watch on the Channel Master and the Tivo so if the price drops I will get an email. We don't need it until our next trip so a month before or so we will make our decision(unless a very good price shows up). Thanks everyone. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Archived
This topic is now archived and is closed to further replies.