I've been interested in cutting the cord (US based) for some time now. My wife is unwilling to give up DVR. I'm unwilling to pay for something like TiVO with a $15 per month fee when I like to tinker and know I can do-it-myself.

 

I've been reading a lot about both MythTV and tvheadend. It seems like tvheadend has more UnRaid users and a docker that has more support. However, I'm having a hard time finding out what hardware I should purchase and where to go from there.

 

My goal is to be able to record OTA HD channels (I have an antenna up that is capturing about 50 channels). I'd like to record a minimum of 2 channels at a time, maybe 4. I'd also prefer internal hardware (instead of something external like an HDHomeRun).

 

Since I don't plan on keeping cable, I just need to record OTA. What are some good cards to explore? Are there any other services I need to take a look at?

 

Thanks!

I use Argus TV as my tuner software as it has the best scheduling options.  It is a Windows program and harder to set up and get guide data but once you figure how the schedule and recording clients link together it gets easier.

 

I use unRAID  as my base server with a Windows VM that runs Argus TV, Kodi, and mySQL for Kodi library sync and Argus tv's guide and channel infomation.  This way I can watch live TV on any device I can install Kodi on, which is my HTPCs and my tablets.  There are other programs you can use to interface with Argus tv but I have not tried them.

 

As for my tunes I use the homeruns but I did start with 3 hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250, I think they updated to WinTV-HVR-2255.  I am willing to sell the WinTV-HVR-2250 cards they are great cards and worked great with my unraid setup using PCIe pass through.

This may seem steep but Amazon has lifetime service included on the Tivo Roamio OTA for $300.

 

The WAF is significantly higher on tivo than you will be able to maintaiin on your side. By the time you factor in what you need to spend to get central recording and storage and keep it running you will be over that $300 mark. Save yourself a lot of time and headache and go tivo with lifetime for OTA.

This may seem steep but Amazon has lifetime service included on the Tivo Roamio OTA for $300.

 

The WAF is significantly higher on tivo than you will be able to maintaiin on your side. By the time you factor in what you need to spend to get central recording and storage and keep it running you will be over that $300 mark. Save yourself a lot of time and headache and go tivo with lifetime for OTA.

Do you have a link for that. The only think I am seeing on Amazon for Tivo Roamio OTA with Product Lifetime Service is $620.

This may seem steep but Amazon has lifetime service included on the Tivo Roamio OTA for $300.

 

The WAF is significantly higher on tivo than you will be able to maintaiin on your side. By the time you factor in what you need to spend to get central recording and storage and keep it running you will be over that $300 mark. Save yourself a lot of time and headache and go tivo with lifetime for OTA.

Do you have a link for that. The only think I am seeing on Amazon for Tivo Roamio OTA with Product Lifetime Service is $620.

Amazon themselves are currently sold out, but they've had them over the past numerous months for $300 all in. It seems to get restocked now and then. Several coworkers went the $300 OTA Tivo route when they first carried them. They had a mass mailing to those signed up for info from the Aero TV place.

 

There's a main deal thread about it at TivoCommunity forums.

Is there any specific reasoning for wanting something internal and not an HDHomerun?

 

There are a lot of benefits to using the HDHR, and one of those is support for most all DVR software.

You don't need any special commands or "media builds" to use them with TVH or MythTv.

Removing it from the Server also removes any possible problems with "passing it" with VT-D and any issues you may have with a problematic card (Both of my Avermedia's had this issue).

 

The HDHR can normally be found pretty cheap used, plus you can add more easily.

I've had a lot of cards over the years and even though I thought other wise initially, I wouldn't go back to an internal one (I have 3 HDHR's currently).

 

Also I think there is a lot of users using the MythTV docker here, however not much action in the thread.

In my case (with small exceptions) it works so well, and the video explains most questions for setup, that there is little reason to post in its thread.