Cue up the DVR

So as I mentioned previously, my VCR decided to stop working last week. After some research about my options, I decided to pony up and start paying Time Warner Cable for DVR service.

I considered getting a generic DVR or even a TiVo or ReplayTV without a subscription and using it like a VCR, except with a hard drive instead of VHS tapes. However, this seemed like a sub-optimal solution because I wouldn't have access to program guides and would have to rely on some hacks to make it do the stuff I wanted it to. In addition, DVRs not from your cable company do not have dual tuners, which prevents recording two channels at once, or watching one channel while another is recording.

Also, I have a feeling I will be upgrading to HDTV sooner or later, at which point a standard DVR would become somewhat obsolete. Although you can use a standard DVR to record HD, it records the signal at standard resolution (and outputs it at standard resolution as well). This means that you have to put the DVR on its own video loop to keep it from degrading all your viewing. So I would in essence end up with another piece of obsolete equipment. On the other hand, TWC will give me a DVR-HD for the same price as the standard DVR.

So anyway, I'm currently waiting at TWC's "service center" in the Flatiron District so I can pick up my new box. While it's somewhat annoying -- the wait is projected at 35 minutes -- it's really a rather nice setup they have here. They have multiple televisions you can watch (and tune yourself), digital phones you can use to call anywhere in the country for free, and computer terminals where you can surf the internet.

So I'm using a rather nice Dell 17-inch plasma screen monitor and posting away to my heart's content. I must say, I've had much worse experiences waiting in line. This certainly beats the hell out of the New York DMV.