Digital Video Recording(Tivo doesn’t have a Monopoly)

In the world of DVRs, there is obviously Tivo. Tivo is so popular, it has become a verb for the usage of a Digital Video Recorder, ie I will TIVO that program. But Tivo isn’t the only option.

The Slingbox is a device which can control your video source and give you access to it over the internet. As Crunchgear.com reports, Slingbox has launched three new models of their popular product. The Sling Media Slingbox PRO ( SB200-100 ) with a High-Definition input, widescreen support, high-quality programmable video compression, and full control of up to four sources. It will be $250 with the HD Adapter costing an extra $50.

The other two models are a bit less expensive. The Sling Media Slingbox AV ( SB240-100 ), which gives you control over a digital cable, satellite, or DVR set-top box. Or the Sling Media Slingbox Tuner ( SB220-100 ), for people with standard basic analog cable who don’t need a setup box. Both are smaller than the original Sling Media Slingbox.

If you’d rather have more control, there is always buying a computer with Windows XP Media Center Edition, which includes some DVR functionality. Unfortunately, MCE is not sold officially to consumers, only bundled with purchased systems. We prefer an open-source(and thus free) solution.

There are two popular Linux-based DVR systems. MythTV and Freevo. MythTV features basic live-tv functionality(pause, ff, rewind live), support for multiple tuner cards and simultaneous recordings, a distributed system allowing multiple machines to record and playback on the same network, video compression, commercials detection, a program guide, and multiple themes and plugins to add functions. Freevo, conversely, has a bit less, but still a good feature set, with live TV functionality of its own, along with plugins for extra functionality as well. We will be talking more about Linux-based DVRs in the future.
Of course, the simplest way to get a DVR is to rent one from your cable company…but they are hardly motivated to give you the best in DVR technology…although you won’t have to have a box separate from your cable box.