Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion The Water Cooler Time to retire the VCR?

I use a VCR for the tuner with my plasma monitor for my cable service. I just have basic cable and they don't offer HD. We watch more DVD's than TV. The VCR has analog outputs. I notice that I do pick up a "stereo" signal on some channels. Is there a Tivo or other tuner out there with digital outs? I have tried google searches but don't find what I'm looking for. Any thoughts?

Basic cable doesn't give you digital audio, so you're up the creek without a paddle, there. Really, more like up the creek without a canoe. You're stuck with analog outs, and it's not going to get much better than using the VCR. Now, on the other hand, TiVo is the way to go for watching/recording TV!

I have thought about TiVo. A 40 hour refurbed series 2 free with subscription right now. I usually only record the Scifi channel on Fridays. Should I go 12 months or lifetime? Is there a downside?

We use a VCR in playback mode only.......the kids like to watch movies we haven't found DVDs of yet

Doug
Really depends on what you want. If you've never used a DVR, you might try the 12 mos to see if you like it. I have lifetime on mine but only because I bought it on ebay like that. I'm glad it has lifetime.

Also, you might check w/ your cable provider. I know that Comcast offers an HD DVR that picks up digital cable AND HD channels. Here in the SF Bay Area, I think the box is about $10/mo, plus other service charges. My father in law has it, he loves it. You might be able to "negotiate" a deal for a higher package if you sweet talk them.

No DVR or HD from Charter Communications in our area. Maybe by 2015.

ah, bummer.

The standalone might be good, since it has a basic tuner built in, I believe. The only "bad" thing is that you can't take advantage of HD w/ your plasma.

If you have OTA in your area (I know, big "if"), you could do what I did for my parents to get HD. On ebay, I bought some Voom receivers for $50/piece. I set them up for OTA and now my parents have HD.

If you're willing to go whole hog, you could get the HD DirecTivo but then you need a dish package. But that is a big charge up front...

I have a voom receiver, but I'm too far away for OTA. I wish one of the satellite offers was HD only.

Only record the SciFi channel on Fridays?!?! Like there is any good TV there!!!!

Just kidding. My wife records tons of shows, but for me it is just Stargate SG1, Atlantis, and Battlestar Galactica. Can't wait for thie Friday! Oh, and someone I work with is the mom of Jason Mamoa who is the new Ronon Dex character on Atlantis.

Anyway, back to the topic at hand.

If you get Tivo or some satellite service (we have Dish, so it is only like $5 a month instead of Tivo's $13 a month for the DVR function), and once you start using it, you will wonder how you ever did without.

whats a vcr??????