[PWH]

I read an article today about sort of creating your own DDR using a PC and a fast graphics board. I have an Imac G3 400 and would like to know if anyone has attemped the same thing and if they got good results. There are now webistes that allow you to program your makeshift recorder just like the other services. I know that it's possible using the new Nvidia card but I can't seem to find out if it's compatible with a G3.

With cards and hard drives relatively inexpensive, t seems like a much cheaper solution that paying $800 or so dollars for one of those units.

Anyone got any ideas?

Thanks,

Philip

[lucylawless]

Can you link to the website you're talking about?

I do know you can get a usb solution for $250 or so, and a firewire one for about $500. Also, you should know that a new TiVo only costs about $300 (plus about $12.50 a month), and you can get them on ebay etc for around $100.

[C.J. Moof]

EyeTV is a new product to record on your mac via a USB interface. The software seemed kinda buggy in the inital release, but they appear to be updating it promptly, and addressing issues.

$800 should get you a Replay4040, with ethernet interface, an IP address and the ability to send TV shows to other replay units. That's the top end, entry level TiVo are a fraction of that.

I'd say that unless you're set on recording shows and archiving them for the future, a TiVo might do a better job. It's got a great interface, is attached to your TV (which is where I prefer to watch TV, instead of my desk!), and has a user base that's as dedicated to the hardware as Apple does. From what I've gathered, EyeTV doesn't have TiVo features like Season Pass, the ability to "learn" what you like to watch, and tape similar shows....

They'll both record broadcast TV. It's in the extras that TiVo adds value- don't overlook what it offers.

[PWH]

C.J.,

I saw the EyeTV thing and I agree it's not the way to go as I want to watch on my TV, too.

As far as the Replay goes - it seems very expensive compared to a simple hardware soultion (which I'm trying to figure out). The problem with Replay is the $250 activation fee which when coupled with the device costs about $800 like you said. TiVo is cheaper but requires a monthly fee which adds up.

There's a website called www.titantv.com that bascially lets you program a video card to do exactly what the the other sevices provide - only this one is free. There are a bunch of cards for the PC that support the site but I can't find a hardware/software combination that supports the Mac. With pretty much any old G3 desktop all you've got to do is add the correct card and you'd be off and running if your hard rive is big enough. The cards for the PC seem to run about $300 for a geoforce ti4600. These do work in a Mac but I don't think the software is available to make it work as a DDR.

I'm still looking, though.