Turn your PC into a TiVo for $103.99 shipped

This TiVo-in-a-box comes with everything you need for PC DVR goodness.

(Credit: Nero)

Many times in this space I've sung the praises of TV tuners, which let you watch and record shows on your PC, TiVo-style. Well, now you can get more than just the style: Nero's LiquidTV TiVo PC brings the actual TiVo software to your system.

The retail package includes the software, a TiVo remote, a USB IR receiver, a one-year subscription to the service, and an HD-compatible USB tuner. Normally it sells for $199.99 (way too steep, IMHO), but right now you can get the LiquidTV TiVo PC for $103.99 shipped.

The TiVo software probably needs no introduction--it's nearly identical to what you'd find on a TiVo set-top box, complete with Season Pass and KidZone features (but without extras like music and photos).

The tuner is a Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-950Q, a top-rated model that normally sells for around $75. It can pull down over-the-air digital signals (a small antenna is included, but you might need something larger), QAM channels, or analog channels. The remote is the same one that comes with the TiVo HD.

I've just received a LiquidTV for review, and so far, so good. The setup instructions could be better (there's a disconnect between the manual and the software installation), and for some reason I encountered some video stuttering in the preview window.

Other than that, I'm really liking this so far. For just over $100, you get the complete TiVo experience on your PC (and your TV, if you connect the two). Definitely worth a look.

[08Rabbit]

Hey rick, how much is the tivo subscription (after the free 12 months is up)?
And will/can you link to your review when finished?

Thanks :)

[rickbroida]

It's $99 per year. I know: ugh. OTOH, it's cheaper than the set-top box subscription. What's that up to, now, $17.99 a month or something? That monthly fee is the one and ONLY reason I've never taken the TiVo plunge.

Only neg to this when compared with Tivo is its HD capacity. It'll only pull OTA HD channels, meaning any cable goodies broadcast in HD - TNT, USA, etc. - will be out of reach. It's spelled out in the FAQ. So if you are just an OTA viewer, this little sucker is a perfect fit. If not, it has some limitations outside the major networks available locally.

[stigmattaman]

Good find rick, again. I reviewed this a few months ago, and it's not quite as good as the set top services. But, for what it costs (especially this deal), it's darn good.

[millejos]

the system specs look pretty daunting, I take it this wouldn't work on an Inspiron 1501, AMD Athlon 64 x 2 TK-55 (1.8GHz/512KB) laptop?

[ktappe]

It can't work on a laptop anyway--it needs a TV tuner card to be installed.

[millejos]

I thought the usb thingy was a tv tuner card itself? http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hvr950q.html

[tarrantm]

I might have sprung for this if it took Component input from a Cable box, but it only takes S video, which means it's missing out on all the HD content from a cable box. Think I'll stick with my HAVA and Vista Media Center for now.

[Delfairen]

If you're a Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate owner all you need is a tv tuner and remote and you can get all this free all the time.

A dual tuner and remote can be bought for less than $100 you could even add another dual tuner card for to be able to view one channel and record 3 others for less than the cost of a second years subscription.

Is there any good reason to actually buy this?

[booby21]

Recommend any dual tuners?

[tomrobin]

No matter how good the item or price, Amazon's super aggressive sell sell and add on and on, gives me instant panic,

I have once had stuff add on by Amazon just trying to navigate to the checkout point, that totaled 5 times more than the item I Was buying.
That lead to overdrawing my modest Social Security funded bank account. My bank manager even opened a temporary account so I'd have money to live on while he got all the extra Amazon charges removed.

[cbob27419]

Um...if you bought a computer in the last 4 years chances are you have Media Center already. All you need is a TV tuner which is a heck of a lot cheaper than 104 bucks, and no subscription required.

[broadscaler2]

I prefer cloud TV hosting by services like http://parkmytv.com - don't need any special hardware, can login from any browser, any pc, any location and have the ident access.

[Harry D]

I agree with those suggesting Windows Media Center over this.

Most people already have it, don't use it, but it's awesome. No monthly fees and it includes a nice electronic program guide. Very nice interface, too. Did i say free? WMC also will talk to other computers on the network which are also recording TV, and you can use Extender boxes with it, too. It's a very nice system, expandable as you see fit.

Also, the article is misleading - this doesn't include the cable fees. I think that's what's meant by the $17.99 charges. You can't avoid that using this setup, unless you go OTA only.

But Win Media Center is the better way to go for cheap.

[monsterman26]

Are there any cards out there to connect to a DirecTv HD receiver?

[Delfairen]

No currently there are not. There are rumours of this happening in the future though.

[rickbroida]

I'm a huge fan of Windows Media Center myself (it's my primary home-theater DVR), but I think many people are missing the point here. A good ATSC tuner can easily run you $70 or more (though obviously I've posted deals for way less). If it comes with a remote, it'll probably be a small, crummy one that doesn't work with WMC.

Here you get a first-class tuner, a TiVo remote, an IR sensor, the TiVo software, and a one-year subscription to the service. If you stick with over-the-air channels, then $103.99 is your sole out-of-pocket expense.

I dunno...seems pretty killer to me.

[Delfairen]

Killer for one year! Then its $200+ for the next year. Get a dual tuner with real ms remote for about $100 and set forever. I was going to link the tuner card and remote combo I bought but unfortunately the company has gone under http://www.pcalchemy.com/down_for_maintenance.html

I believe http://www.amazon.com/AVERMEDIA-MTVPEMCER-Combopci-e-Upgradetv-Tuner/dp/B000NP7BY0/ref=dp_cp_ob_e_title_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1231176424&sr=8-21 is the one I got but I am at work so can not check.

[rickbroida]

Not so. It's $99 per year for service after the first year.

[Noneyabeeswax]

It is a pretty good deal if you want just over the air signals.

But i've got satellite, and I'm having problems figuring out a decent tuner to use with satellite. Does anyone have any suggestions, please? I have a Vista Home Premium machine but my daughter is using it currently. I'm using my XP Home machine, LOL. Yep, I kept the old box , and loaned her the Vista box to use until she gets her own computer repaired. I like the XP box much better anyway. I need something that will work with XP service pack 3.