Recording from satellite TV using a VCR?

[Shadoglare]

I'm very strongly leaning towards switching to satellite TV versus cable TV (mainly because I can get the same programming for about half the price) - however both myself and my g/f record a few shows a week to watch later as we're usually busy doing other stuff when they're on, or because the shows aren't "six-year-old friendly" and tend to be on while she's still up so we choose to watch something else and check back with the recorded shows later.

In order to be able to do programmed recording and/or record while watching something else, is a DVR the only way to do that with satellite?
We both have VCRs that record just fine, so the idea of paying a monthly service fee to use a DVR kinda bugs me.

Anybody here had any experience with this?

[Dr_EluSivE]

Originally Posted by Shadoglare

I'm very strongly leaning towards switching to satellite TV versus cable TV (mainly because I can get the same programming for about half the price) - however both myself and my g/f record a few shows a week to watch later as we're usually busy doing other stuff when they're on, or because the shows aren't "six-year-old friendly" and tend to be on while she's still up so we choose to watch something else and check back with the recorded shows later.

In order to be able to do programmed recording and/or record while watching something else, is a DVR the only way to do that with satellite?
We both have VCRs that record just fine, so the idea of paying a monthly service fee to use a DVR kinda bugs me.

Anybody here had any experience with this?

Well, its possible, But not the easiest thing to do. The simplest and cheapest way is to cable the Sat Tuner to the VCR using Standard AV cables, then turn the box on the right channel and leave it on, then program the VCR for a timer record on "LINE" This works well unless someone turns off the sat reciever, or changes the channel. Another option is one of the Expensive fancy VCR's that have a IR repeater that will actually power on the box, and change channels. Those VCRS are becoming harder to find though. I know you dont want to pay the extra cost, but the DVR really is the most convient way to go. And once you have one, you cant live without it.

Dr.

[Geoffrey]

agreed... I went nuts when we moved and Charter didn't have DVR. I even bought a TiVo with lifetime service. Now I just it as backup

does Sat TV make you pay a monthly fee?

[Shadoglare]

Originally Posted by Kraw

does Sat TV make you pay a monthly fee?

Ya - in my shopping around I found they give you the choice of either a receiver without DVR for free, or one with a DVR but you have to pay like $6/month to use it.
Which admittedly isn't that much.... but still, it's $6/month more than I'm having to pay to record my shows right now.
Definately starting to look like it's about the only realistic way to go that won't be a pain in the butt tho.