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HDTV brainstorming
So I'm starting to think about getting an HDTV. The way this sort of thing usually works for me, that probably means that I'll actually get one around June. Here are random thoughts. Happy to hear opinions from those of you that know this stuff.
I think I want a TV between 37" and 42". That way, it won't be any smaller vertically than my existing old-school 27" CRT. I also know I want 1080p and 120/600 Hz. Specs like that should be available for close to $500 in a few months, I have a feeling, if they're not already. I'm not sure what other numbers matter.
I need to buy a stand. And a universal remote. I don't know anything about universal remotes these days, except that they're uber-fancy and cost a lot more than I'd expect them to. (Apparently you can spend $200 on a remote??)
And I need some sort of DVR setup. As far as I can tell, the options are:
I'd like to do it all for about $1200. Should be doable. Just want to make sure I do it right.
And I need to be smart about spending around $8, not around $80, for cables and stuff.
I think I want a TV between 37" and 42". That way, it won't be any smaller vertically than my existing old-school 27" CRT. I also know I want 1080p and 120/600 Hz. Specs like that should be available for close to $500 in a few months, I have a feeling, if they're not already. I'm not sure what other numbers matter.
I need to buy a stand. And a universal remote. I don't know anything about universal remotes these days, except that they're uber-fancy and cost a lot more than I'd expect them to. (Apparently you can spend $200 on a remote??)
And I need some sort of DVR setup. As far as I can tell, the options are:
| System | Pro | Con |
|---|---|---|
| Tivo | Really easy to set up and use | I hate monthly fees, and lifetime subscription is $400. So much less control (No auto commercial skip? I've had that in my standard-def DVR since 2003! No place-shifting either?) |
| Windows-based computer with Media Center and CableCARD (either roll-your-own, which recently got easier, or buying prefab system) | More control than TiVo, no monthly fees | Ugh, Windows. Ugh, CableCARD. Edit: Less "ugh" on CableCARD, but ugh, prefab systems, and ugh, all roll-your-own CableCARD options are also $250 and are sold out everywhere. |
| MythTV | Tons of control, costs whatever I want, no monthly fees | Uber-complicated, might never be completely smooth UI (i.e. usable by roommate), requires separate $250 box to do cable in HD |
| added from comments: Cable company's DVR | Free up-front | "Dumb as a post", not much storage, costs even more per month than TiVo |
I'd like to do it all for about $1200. Should be doable. Just want to make sure I do it right.
And I need to be smart about spending around $8, not around $80, for cables and stuff.
no subject
MythTV will do stuff like:
Record all new episodes of this show.
Find them anywhere on the dial at any time.
Find old episodes of this show, but not if I've already taped them once before.
Tape these four shows, and figure out which channels to record from to minimize conflicts.
When you set a recording on our current DVR, it does it for a certain time period. If the show isn't on next week because it's a holiday or there's a ball game, too bad, it's taping it anyway. If you've already seen it before, too bad, taping it anyway. If two things are on at the same time, too bad, you have to cancel one completely (including all future recordings!), it won't figure out to delay taping the second showing until it's on an hour later on a different station.
So...yeah. MythTV is a pain in the ass and HD support is still really in in its infancy, but even though we dropped 500+ bucks on the HD PVR, I'm probably still going to build an HD MythTV at some point in the future. Probably once I figure out what the major HD pitfalls are and when I can come up with money to throw at it.
no subject