Recording some shows.

Products to get the media.

   With cutting out the provider's DVR there are some alternate means to record broadcast TV shows that you're now watching.  You could get a Tivo.  A Tivo is a smart DVR that looks at what you're watching and recommends shows like it and records them automatically.  The latest version allows you to use services like Netflix or Amazon Video On demand.  We'll talk about those other services later.  There is a monthly fee or a liftetime fee with the Tivo.

     Another product for recording is a good old computer.  With Windows 7 there is a free service built in called Windows Media Center that turns your computer into a full fledged media player for what's called the 10-foot interface.  I really is a means to connect your PC to a flat screen and use a remote instead of a keyboard.  I personally use this one, and an another piece of hardware called a Media Center Extender.

                                     The extender allows you to hook this box to your TV instead of the whole PC.  The computer contains the TV tuner cards and holds all the recordings.  The extender connects over your network and streams that interface to your TV.  I have paired this up with a homemade Windows Home server, and it houses all my TV recordings and DVD back ups for a quick and easy access.

      Currently on the market, the best and affordable media center extender is the Xbox 360.  I have both the linksys set top box and a X-Box 360.  I can personally say that the XBox 360 is the best media center extender. Its also the cheapest. 
                                    Search Amazon.com for xbox 360

   Later on in this blog I plan to give all the options that are available using the XBox 360.  Using all the different services are differently a money saver than going with the satellite or cable provider.