TiVo user going to Channels DVR

Channels DVR Server
#1

I am an Optimum subscriber using the TiVo + Cable Card solution since early 2000's. Except for Optimum's On Demand channels the TiVo flawlessly serves up every channel that I am able to receive on a regular Cable Box. For the most part, the TiVo interface is a pleasure to use albeit sometimes a tiny bit slow when navigating.

Optimum just notified their subscribers that the Cable Card will no longer work as of October 2024. This sent me scrambling in search for an elegant alternative to the soon to be TiVo paper weight. After much research I have come to the conclusion that Channels DVR + TV Everywhere could be a pretty good solution.. maybe even a better solution! I proceeded to install Channels DVR on my Raspberry Pi5 (which by the way works great despite what I have read regarding Pi5 lack of hardware transcoding).

I must say... very impressed and definitely usable... until I realized no local stations. Then I realized, easy fix so I ordered an OTA antenna along with HDHomeRun Flex 4K.

As I await delivery of my OTA Antenna and HDHomeRun I noticed there are actually many, many missing stations such as CNBC, MTV etc....

So here is my question: Is there any way to get ALL of my cable package stations into Channels DVR? Keep in mind I am not a chord cutter and I am not even looking to save money. I am simply looking for an elegant DVR solution for all of the channels that are included in my cable package.

#2

To get "All of my cable package stations" on channels dvr, you would need a cable card and HDHR (that's no longer produced but avail on secondary markets). Even then if a channel like HBO is part of your package, there is a good chance it has DRM set in such a way that channels dvr will not be able to use.

TVE is almost gone for many varied reasons, but the NBC stations went to DRM some time ago, like others, making them incompatible with channels dvr.

There are community supported packages that you can use to bring in all kinds of content into channels dvr. I would encourage you to look around and read articles on the site.

If you're not cord cutting, dealing with Docker may not be something you want to invest in, but so you know, check out:

Good luck.

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#3

What's wrong with Optimum's DVR?

#4

I highly recommend trying DirecTV Stream. They have a free trial and it has most of the cable channels and more.

DirecTV Stream works really well with Apple TV. They also have an Osprey box and remote.

Our Comcast service went out for a few weeks last year and we tried DirecTV Stream with Osprey and remote and really liked it.

My family currently uses many Comcast cable cards with Channels DVR and also in Tivos. When Comcast stops supporting cards we will be using DirecTV Stream.

https://streamtv.directv.com/

If you go the DirecTV Stream route then I recommend buying the Osprey from this eBay seller. We bought our Osprey from this seller and works great.

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#5

Unless there is a specific channel or group of channels you have to have, Direct TV Stream seems over priced to me, even with their lowest plan, $50 + tax. (Edit: That is a promo for 3 months, normal price is $80)

I highly recommend Philo. And they provide a large amount of TVE networking into Channels. Been super reliable for me for years as well.

Also, Direct TV also has semi frequent issues with loosing channels.
DIRECTV & DIRECTV STREAM Could Soon Lose ESPN & Other Disney-Owned Channels Next Week | Cord Cutters News

#6

We tried many services and found DirecTV Stream to have the most channels we like having with cable. Philo was a non-starter for us because it lacks so many channels.

#7

One thing to be clear on here, and also to the OP, what streaming services offers in its own app has nothing to do with what TVE stations it gives u access to.

Many specific channels, have no TVE stream at all via website, which is what Channels DVR needs.
Thus, many of the channels offered in xyz streaming service, are not able to be used in Channels DVR, you would need to use that streaming services app to watch/cloud record them.

Generally, from the many posts on these threads, it seems YTTV is the most well voiced for offering the most channels and best app. Fubo being the 2nd most talked about, especially for Sports fans.
I guess Direct TV Stream can squeak in there for 3rd place for most offerings.
However, it also has been seen having alot of authentication issues with Channels DVR from time to time, same with YTTV.

Also... i just have to say, if money is not a concern, then there is really no point in getting rid of cable/satellite anymore. The cost of the mainstream streaming services that offer cable tv stations, all are now so damn high in cost, $80 a month being the starting cost typically now.... you might as well just stick with cable. When "cord cutting" was the in fad, years ago, those streaming services were cheap and affordable. Not so much anymore. :stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes: end old man rant...

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#8

"Sort of"

If you're comparing this on spreadsheets and adverts - sure, it's very close.
The issue I've seen, across multiple providers - fees. And usually, they're not universal enough, or even visible at all, until after signup, to compare.

Cable companies are the worst with this (and that's why the feds are on this now) - Advertise a base price, but you can't subscribe without either a "Local channels fee" and/or an RSN fee.

For me - $90 / month gets you in the door on cable, but tack on a mandatory $25.75 (!) "Local Broadcast Fee" And that's before any of the hardware tack-ons too.

Fubo does a similar bait and switch with their undeterminable "RSN Fee"

For this issue, DirecTV Stream stands out as the clearest, single pricing provider, with the most channels. YTTV is a better product, but is increasingly dropping RSNs, which makes it an issue for in-market sports fans (like me).

Thankfully, Channels minimizes the pain of switching between the 2 as the sports seasons dictate.

#9

Yes, cable companies are fee companies.... and Direct TV is a cable company (well satellite but same thing, different delivery method.)

Aside from sales tax (if your state has sales tax on digital items), I have not seen any unexpected fees with Philo since i signed up with them in 2019. Nor had any when i had Netflix, Hulu, and several other streaming services.

Also, not sure how other cable companies do it, but, recently learned that Comcast, offers package with out those fees, or, u can remove them, Broadcast fee, and sports fee anyways, however, you will not get local channels or "world news" channels (which is tied to the Sports fee)... so stated the agent on the phone with my Grandmother (call was partially recorded.) Not sure if that a new thing, or inaccurate info.

#10

Usually "lifeline" cable, or something similar. Depending on programming and features, it's an option.

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