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Old 02-14-2010, 09:21 AM
 
18,224 posts, read 16,832,842 times
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We have cable and it's a mess. The Moxi box (DVR) is constantly cutting our shows with repeated updates---sometimes 10 in a day and we lose most of whatever programs we were recording. This is the fourth box and still the problem persists. We can't have satellite because we're in a condo. Do we have any alternatives that give us the same channel lineup as the two standard modes? thanks for any helpful feedback.
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Old 02-14-2010, 09:50 AM
 
Location: Tyler, TX
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http://www.microsoft.com/windows/win...r/default.aspx

I've been running a Windows machine as my TV/DVR for 5 or 6 years now. You get all the functionality of a cableco DVR, plus you can manage your music collection, DVD collection, digital photos, etc. There are a number of 3rd party plugins that add all kinds of functionality, including a Netflix plugin that lets you stream movies on demand from the Netflix site.

We also have an "extender" in the bedroom, which connects to the Media Center PC via the network, and we can watch our recorded shows, listen to music, etc. just as if we were in the living room.

It's a great product, but you have to keep in mind that it's a PC running Windows, not an appliance. It requires some basic maintenance, just like any PC does, and the cost of a new PC that will run it well is certainly more than the few dollars a month that the cableco charges for their DVR. That said, I wouldn't downgrade to a cableco DVR for anything.

If you're technically inclined, there are other solutions out there, too, including some linux alternatives.
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Old 02-14-2010, 01:37 PM
f_m
 
2,289 posts, read 8,356,281 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thrillobyte View Post
We have cable and it's a mess. The Moxi box (DVR) is constantly cutting our shows with repeated updates---sometimes 10 in a day and we lose most of whatever programs we were recording. This is the fourth box and still the problem persists. We can't have satellite because we're in a condo. Do we have any alternatives that give us the same channel lineup as the two standard modes? thanks for any helpful feedback.

You can get a Tivo DVR, you have to get some hardware to make it work with cable though.
https://www3.tivo.com/store/boxes.do
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Old 02-14-2010, 07:25 PM
 
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What I'm looking for is something that gives a consumer the same 500-odd channel lineup that cable and satellite give---TLC, Discovery, HBO, Sundance, HGTV, Food, etc. I was thinking that these signals could be run through a device that didn't rely on a device like a dish, which our association doesn't allow. For Example can a dish in another location send the signals to a different location?
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Old 02-14-2010, 09:53 PM
f_m
 
2,289 posts, read 8,356,281 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thrillobyte View Post
What I'm looking for is something that gives a consumer the same 500-odd channel lineup that cable and satellite give---TLC, Discovery, HBO, Sundance, HGTV, Food, etc. I was thinking that these signals could be run through a device that didn't rely on a device like a dish, which our association doesn't allow. For Example can a dish in another location send the signals to a different location?
Not so cleanly, except if you want to pay a lot more money, or deal with some hassle. Why, because the cable and satellite companies scramble all "value added" content, which is why you have to pay to have a cable card to use DVR that is not their product.

You can attempt to use products such as this, but you need to figure out how to do the hook ups.
HD PVR Product overview

You should probably check out AVS Forum, there is likely a lot of discussion on this.
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Old 02-15-2010, 12:24 AM
 
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Hmm, if there is no simple solution then we are stuck with Moxie I'm afraid. So what's life without a lot of aggravation to keep it interesting?
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Old 02-15-2010, 01:23 AM
 
Location: Silicon Valley
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Doesn't Moxi use a CableCard to get the encrypted content from the service provider? If so, is there anything preventing one from taking the CableCard out of the Moxi and putting it another DVR (Tivo, Media Center or HTPC with CableCard tuner, etc.)?

An HOA can't forbid you from installing a satellite dish in a location to which you have exclusive access. If you have a balcony or patio with a view of the southern sky you may be able to get satellite. If you don't have a balcony, or it doesn't have a view of the southern sky you may be out of luck.
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Old 02-15-2010, 08:58 AM
 
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When the cable co sends out a signal to its moxi system won't it stop dead because it doesn't recognize non-moxi hardware? Some interruptions are a necessary part of the service, but constant ones are the problem. The deck won't work, but it was a good suggestion.
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Old 02-16-2010, 03:15 PM
 
Location: Silicon Valley
3,683 posts, read 9,840,847 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by thrillobyte View Post
When the cable co sends out a signal to its moxi system won't it stop dead because it doesn't recognize non-moxi hardware?
Unless Moxi built something special just for your cable provider, which is unlikely, what you've got is probably just the same Moxi box you can buy yourself, with a CableCard from your provide stuck in it. That's what decodes the encrypted channels, and why there is a good chance you can just take the CableCard out of the Moxi box and put it inside any other DVR that has a CableCard slot.

The whole reason CableCard exists is because the FCC told cable providers that they cannot lock their users into using their hardware.

If your problems are not due to your Moxi box, swapping it out for a Tivo may not make the problems go away.
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Old 02-21-2010, 08:42 AM
 
18,224 posts, read 16,832,842 times
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Quote:
Originally Posted by MediocreButArrogant View Post
Unless Moxi built something special just for your cable provider, which is unlikely, what you've got is probably just the same Moxi box you can buy yourself, with a CableCard from your provide stuck in it. That's what decodes the encrypted channels, and why there is a good chance you can just take the CableCard out of the Moxi box and put it inside any other DVR that has a CableCard slot.

The whole reason CableCard exists is because the FCC told cable providers that they cannot lock their users into using their hardware.

If your problems are not due to your Moxi box, swapping it out for a Tivo may not make the problems go away.
I guess I have a dilemma on my hands. Thanks for your input, everyone.
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