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March Madness-Help

agamble Posts: 1,029 Joined: 2003/09/22	2004/03/12, 07:44 AM Well as any red-blooded American male knows the time has come to clear the schedule and pony up the cable/satellite fees. March madness is here. I've got a problem and need some advice. For the past few years my efforts to participate in this spring ritual have been thwarted. Seems the War Department always has maneuvers planned for this time of year as well. Coincidence? Seemes the Secretary of War at the Gamble house takes no interest in basketball, if you can believe that! This year I have formulated a strategy. A preemptive strike. I plan to do several 'Romantic' things to try to earn some TV time. Problem is in the rush and press of career, kids, MARRIAGE, I seem to have lost the knack. Any suggestions? Nothing too expensive though, there are several sweet pools going around at work that I've got my eye on. I can only rat-hole so much money. Seems that Secretary of War is quite the auditor too.
jcannuck Posts: 210 Joined: 2004/01/31	2004/03/12, 08:06 AM I would suggest getting a PVR (Personal Video Recorder), TiVo, whatever you want to call it. Honestly, it has changed our lives here at home. We watch what we want, when we want, without the ads. It's gotten to the point that even if we are home when the show we want to watch airs, we'll wait 10 minutes after it starts to watch, thus skipping the commercials.
davidov Posts: 95 Joined: 2002/10/24	2004/03/12, 09:15 AM Yeah I've been looking into those PVR's. Which system do you have jcannuck? I've got expressvu. I was hoping to get a PVR/HDTV receiver but they aren't available from Bell. Do you think a PVR is worth the 5, 6 hundred bucks it costs? I'd be needing it for the NHL playoffs, I'm not really a basketball fan.
agamble Posts: 1,029 Joined: 2003/09/22	2004/03/12, 09:46 AM That's an idea that I've never considered.
hecdarec Posts: 2,457 Joined: 2003/12/16	2004/03/12, 10:34 AM Massage her feet every night for a week. -------------- I am still afraid of my mother.
agamble Posts: 1,029 Joined: 2003/09/22	2004/03/12, 11:13 AM I think I'll check into the Tivo thing. Thanks anyway, hec.
jcannuck Posts: 210 Joined: 2004/01/31	2004/03/12, 12:47 PM Davidov, and AG, when I first shelled out the $600 (a year and a half ago), I wasn't sure either. After a few days, I think I would have been willing to spend $1200! It REALLY does change your life, it's pretty freaking amazing. I have the Bell ExpressVu one. I'm not sure, but I think TiVo might be even better. I'm going to wait a few years before I re-invest in a system though.
tenorsaxmandave Posts: 538 Joined: 2003/01/23	2004/03/12, 01:08 PM Yo Agamble, Cheaper than Tivo (no monthly fees) - get a TV tuner/video card for your computer. I got one for around $50. Some can range up to $200+ (giving you better quality). Assuming you have cable, you just plug the cable into the back of the card and voila! Not only can you watch TV while on your PC, you can actually set it to record shows (like a VCR). Cool thing is, you can burn the "recordings" onto CDs or DVDs if your PC is so equipped. They last longer than VHS tapes. TSMD
agamble Posts: 1,029 Joined: 2003/09/22	2004/03/12, 01:23 PM The price sounds good. Thanks TSMD
jcannuck Posts: 210 Joined: 2004/01/31	2004/03/12, 02:13 PM AG, the newest ones out there have the ability to record aswell. They are MUCH more expensive than the route TSD suggested. I would have gone that way myself, it's just the TV and puter are in two different rooms!
davidov Posts: 95 Joined: 2002/10/24	2004/03/12, 02:27 PM Yeah mine too. The computer option also sounds like an added hassle. Hey Jcannuck, what's your quality like on your expressvu PVR? And what's a tivo? You've got me really considering it now.
ssminnow Posts: 284 Joined: 2004/02/16	2004/03/12, 02:45 PM If you are looking to go the computer route: Checkout http://www.snapstream.com/ they have software for your computer that will give you a "tivo" like interface. If you buy an ati all in wonder video card, it comes with software. Many people actually build their own media centers (tivo, jukebox etc). There are tons of articles online on how to do this. http://www.byopvr.com/index.php?module=htmlpages&func=display&pid=1 -------------- Don\'t sweat what you have no control over... WILL IT MATTER IN A HUNDRED YEARS....
agamble Posts: 1,029 Joined: 2003/09/22	2004/03/12, 02:57 PM You guys are great. Lot's of ways to get what I want, and I don't have to fool with the wife to get it. Apparently, I just need to buy something. Electronics at that! Is this a cool time to be living or what?
ssminnow Posts: 284 Joined: 2004/02/16	2004/03/12, 03:49 PM Definitely, the only problem is when the UPS guy delivers the box, explaining to the old lady where it came from and conjuring up a story like "i won it in a raffle at work" :big_smile:
jcannuck Posts: 210 Joined: 2004/01/31	2004/03/12, 06:14 PM Davidov, I don't have a high-def television so my quality is just digital. I'll do the whole upgrade thing when we build the addition. Believe it or not, I think the definition is a little better than the previous receiver, but that could just be my mind playing with me. Short answer, I'm very happy with the quality.