This may sound elementary, but I'm looking for the best way in your opinion to record regular OTA TV programming for non-cable/satellite subscribing households? I have an Apple TV for my streaming, but want a DVR to record OTA programming. What are options and their pro's/cons?

You can get a Tivo... there is a monthly subscription fee, but it's not going to be anything near the cost of a cable bill or anything like that. Probably $10 range...

That's what I was thinking, but wanted to see what other options are out there. I'm pretty technically inclined, just haven't researched DVR capabilities much and wanted reco's.

There are a few options....

Assuming you may have a Mac if using AppleTV - The Elgato EyeTV Hybrid TV Tuner Amazon.com: Elgato EyeTV Hybrid TV Tuner for Mac or PC (10021020): Electronics (http://www.amazon.com/Elgato-EyeTV-Hybrid-Tuner-10021020/dp/B003UATR3I/ref=pd_cp_e_0)

You can also get a DVD recorder that utilizes re-recordable media (basically the same concept as VHS tape VCR recording of the past).

If you want to record at that moment, you can often simply connect your camcorder. I've done this alot with my hard drive camcorder to record the news at that moment and get it to my computer for editing right away.

If you have basic cable (with no DVR), you can use another Elgato product that I've used a lot.... Amazon.com: Elgato EyeTV HD DVR for HD Cable and Satellite TV for Macintosh (10021040): Electronics (http://www.amazon.com/Elgato-EyeTV-Satellite-Macintosh-10021040/dp/B003MVYTBU/ref=pd_sim_e_3)

Also, there is this product. Kinda pricey and I've never tried it, but its on my short list for my new home theatre. http://www.amazon.com/M-6620N-Wireless-Network-Player-INCLUDED/dp/B002WVJILC

Probably other options, but this is what comes to mind.

Also might want to check this out.... http://www.channelmasterstore.com/HD_DVR_with_no_subscription_p/cm7400.htm Has some sketchy reviews, but a company to watch. Their previous model was better.

TV tuner for the computer would be best. Everything else is seems too high for what your using it for. If your using a Desktop PC a tuner card is about 70 dollars. Otherwise you will have to get a non card tuner which will be higher. Like the first item BBates linked too.

Not sure how it works on Apple but on Windows based PC buy a coaxile to USB converted (cheap on Amazon). Plug on end to the computer and the other end to a set of rabbit ears, fire up Windows Media Center (already installed on most all Windows PCs), follow the setup wizard, and you are done. If it comes over the airwaves you can watch and record it on your PC.

Not sure how it works on Apple but on Windows based PC buy a coaxile to USB converted (cheap on Amazon). Plug on end to the computer and the other end to a set of rabbit ears, fire up Windows Media Center (already installed on most all Windows PCs), follow the setup wizard, and you are done. If it comes over the airwaves you can watch and record it on your PC.

I'm guessing something like this.... Amazon.com: Hauppauge 1191 WinTV-HVR-950Q TV Tuner Stick/Personal Video Recorder with Clear QAM and Remote Control (Black): Electronics (http://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-1191-WinTV-HVR-950Q-Personal-Recorder/dp/B001DEYVXO) Almost never turn my Windows computers on anymore, so I've never tried to do it with a Windows computer. Looks to work well though.

I guess depends on the resolution you are looking for. Something even this cheap should work. It is $14.99.

Amazon.com: Sabrent USB 2.0 TV Tuner/Video Capture Box with Remote Control - TV-USB20: Electronics (http://www.amazon.com/Sabrent-Tuner-Capture-Remote-Control/dp/B0007LBMR2/ref=sr_1_7?s=electronics&ie=UTF8&qid=1361991821&sr=1-7&keywords=computer+tv+tuner)

All you need is something to conver the signal and WMC will handle the rest. The one you linked to includes the software to operate as a DVR, which just duplicates the functionality WMC already has for free.

Glad I still have my old VHS machine... I've been thinking of getting rid of my satellite and just going with the OTA stations. Any shows I watch I can get over the internet.

Glad I still have my old VHS machine... I've been thinking of getting rid of my satellite and just going with the OTA stations. Any shows I watch I can get over the internet.

We decided to not hook up the kids rooms with satellite and they get 30 channels over the air. Plus, DirecTV now lets you stream live TV via a home network to any tablet with the directv app. So I bought a couple of micro-HDMI cables and the kids can now stream live TV to their TVs. I would say the competition between Dish and DirecTV has generated more features in the last 18 months than DirecTV produced in the last 15 years.