Changes in entertainment technology

[barney B.A.]

I think that having 1 or 2 HD-PVRs and augmenting them with HVR-2250s/HD-HOMERUNs for locals fits the bill. Add sage extenders to the TVs. Put BD-ROM in Sage server for DVD/BR rips and a decent BR player (with network) at the main TV and augment the others with a Roku box covers just about ever viewing need. Only negative is having to switch sources to watch Netflix which isn't that bad an option as everything else will be handled by the Sage extender.

[SteveD]

Originally Posted by Ken C

Currently, I have 5 TV's, 3 digital and 2 analog. The Sage system contains 4 analog tuners (150's) and 4 digital tuners (two HDHR's). To duplicate the current system would require 4 SD STB's to work with the s-video inputs on the 150's. Replace the HDHR's with 4 HD STB's and 4 HD-PVR's. Plus, each of the digital TV's need their own HD STB, the analog TV's each need a SD STB.

So, that's 7 HD STB's and 6 SD STB's from the provider. Plus the cost of 4 HD-PVR's, about $750, and the USB-UIRT's, about $50 each (?).

Maybe I really don't need the capability to record 8 videos simultaneously !

How about three HD and two SD, a bit more reasonable. Still totals up to six HD STB's, 3 HD-PVR's, and four SD STB's. No idea what the monthly 'rental' fees would be, certainly a lot more than I'm currently paying.

Ah, the days of clear QAM ...

Wouldn't the goal be to reduce the number of STBs, and to optimized Sagetv to record the content that everyone wants with the remaining STBs. One major Sage feature is reducing the STB rental fees going to the cable company, even though it would take several years to recoup the investment in hardware and software.

That being said, it is still a good hobby.

[PLUCKYHD]

Originally Posted by SteveD

Wouldn't the goal be to reduce the number of STBs, and to optimized Sagetv to record the content that everyone wants with the remaining STBs. One major Sage feature is reducing the STB rental fees going to the cable company, even though it would take several years to recoup the investment in hardware and software.

Not really possible without cable card. If you want premium hd you still have to rent the cable boxes for however many tuners you need.

[BobPhoenix]

For me it is the ability to add plugins (like comskip) to do things that don't come as stock. Can that even be done with a STB?