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General discussion

DVR Question

Sep 17, 2010 1:27PM PDT

I want to buy a 37" LCD LED 1080p Flat Screen TV, probably a Vizio from Costco. I subscribe to a cable company where I get my cable tv, telephone and internet. After I add the HI Def (which I do not have now) for the new tv there will be a monthly fee for that and the DVR that they rent.

I spoke to a sales person and she said I should buy a Phillips DVR and they will give me the card to put into the unit to be able to get their stations and this way I will not have to rent a box from them.

QUESTION: If I go this route will I have any unexpected problems? Also will I be able to records any show from cable without being blocked?

Discussion is locked

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I'd suggest you pose that question to the sales person
Sep 17, 2010 11:54PM PDT

and express your concerns. Be specific about what you expect to get at no additional cost and get their promises in writing before making a purchase.

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If there is a way to record.
Sep 18, 2010 2:01AM PDT

If the cable co allows such use, all I've seen is STANDARD DEFINITION recording. It that works for you then we're good.

But HD recording is blocked for well discussed reasons.
Bob

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"I will not have to rent a box"
Sep 18, 2010 2:23AM PDT

You better be clear as to what you get and for how much. Which model did the sales person recommend? I was looking at one model and I did not see anything about card. I have Time Warner and they do charge for the card but slightly less than the "box". So work out the math and see which is the best deal. $300-400 for the DVR, $3/month for the card (not able to support premium channels). In my case, I believe one HD box is free and the DVR rental is $9/month (last time I check). I don't have the DVR service anymore now.

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DVR 3rd party
Sep 18, 2010 3:59PM PDT

The 3rd party DVR will only record SD content if I am not mistaken and the card blocks premium channels from bieing recorded. I would check with the cable supplier about compatibility.

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Listen to this member.
Sep 19, 2010 2:04AM PDT

They wrote the answer so well I just had to jump in and give it "the nod."