DVR to Computer/Media Server

[erj_pilot]

OK...I know we have a population of BRILLIANT individuals on these here boards that can resolve this issue. Here's the situation:

I just got my latest Comcast bill and those ***'s have ONCE AGAIN raised the rates. I've actually been trying to find a way to get rid of these turds, but unfortunately hockey is holding me back (more on that later).

I really watch very little network TV and mostly what I do watch could be obtained from Hulu+, NetFlix, etc. The problem with totally cutting off Comcast at the ankles is that I have a bunch of shows recorded on my DVR and I would lose those the second I have to return the DVR back to Comcast.

Question:
Is there a way to transfer/record all the shows on my DVR straight to a media server I have set up with about 4TB storage space? I know you can record straight to a DVD player.

Question:
I watch a fair amount of Discovery, NATGEO, etc. Will these shows be available on Hulu+ or NetFlix?

Now the problem with hockey. I have the NHL GameCenter Live package and watch every Bruins game of the season and a variety of other teams straight from my media server or iPad. The problem with the NHL GameCenter Live package is that once the regular season is over, the playoffs are broadcast on the NHL Network and/or the NBC "family" (NBC, NBCSP, CNBC, etc.). If I dump Comcast, I would have to wait 48 hours after the game is completed to watch it on NHL GameCenter Live. Almost an impossibility to go 48 hours without hearing the results. So that's the hockey issue unless someone has a solution for that. Oh...and this is also true for regular season games like the Bruins game tonight....it's being broadcast on NBCSP and will not be available on GameCenter Live until 48 hours after the game is completed.

If I can save over $100 a month by telling Comcast to jump someplace where the sun don't shine, I could probably live with the hockey issue.

So does anyone in their infinite wisdom have a method where I could transfer the shows I recorded and saved on my DVR straight to my media server's hard drive?

Thanks for any and all ideas and assistance!!

 

[cmort666]

1. I know (and mostly care) little about things like Hulu, so I'll leave that to somebody else.
2. There are a number of Linux based DVR solutions, such as "MythTV". I've never gotten a DVR simply because not having PERMANENT copies of things I record when I want them is completely unacceptable to me. My current solution is a DVD recorder/VCR. Some day, I might make a Linux DVR. Since YOU have total control over your homebrew Linux DVR, you can do what you want with the files it creates, including burn them to DVD. You just need a Linux compatible PC with sufficient disk space and a TV card. The software is free.

 

[erj_pilot]

I'll research that. My good buddy is a Linux genius, so I'll pass this by him.

Thanks!!!

 

[H Richard]

Can't answer that question, but all you have to do is "complain" about the bill and you will probably see a reasonable decrease. I've done this the past two years now, and had a 30% drop in my bill. This year, they not only cut my price, but added HBO to my access. I just walked in with my bill and they immediately told me, your "program" must have ended, we'll put you on a better one.

 

[ChattanoogaPhil]

Never done it, but if the DVR has a FireWire
port on it then it seems simple enough. Lots of how-to step by step Net vids.

Now if you want to know how to get DVDs and BluRay movie discs on that 4TB drive and using iTunes... I can help.

As far as Comcast... HRichard has the right idea. I pay $89 for Internet and expanded HD TV with a DVR and three HD boxes. If I would have not complained I'd be paying over $150. Well, not really complian. I usually start by saying I need help... My wife is going to divorce me unless I get this bill lower. Then they typically give ya the into pricing for 6mo or year. Been doing that for about 20 years here.

ps. For those with multiple TVs and HD boxes, Comcast has small no-menu HD boxes for $2/mo instead of the larger higher priced HD boxes that include menus.