If you’re chopping cable TV and are blessed with stable antenna reception, you’ll have a number of choices for recording these free ad-supported broadcast channels.
But with every of those choices—from TiVo to Tablo to Fire TV Recast and past—the costs can range extensively when you consider subscription charges, DVR storage, and extra {hardware} necessities. When calculating the price advantages of cord-cutting, it’d be useful to know what an over-the-air DVR actually prices over time.
To that finish, I’ve put collectively a worth comparability for a few of the greatest, hottest, and least expensive over-the-air DVR options. Check out the chart under for an outline, then learn on for a deeper breakdown of every choice. (Note that the chart doesn’t embrace the price of an antenna, which you’ll want to produce no matter which choice you select.) Click to enlarge the picture:
That stated, TiVo’s recording capabilities stay the trade customary, and the corporate simply began rolling out computerized ad-skipping, so that you don’t even should hit a button to keep away from commercials. The multi-room state of affairs also needs to enhance this yr with Fire TV, Roku, Apple TV, and Android TV apps within the pipeline. Those apps received’t provide the identical video high quality as a Mini Vox, however they is likely to be ok for spare TVs.
Got extra over-the-air DVR questions? Check out our over-the-air DVR roundup or shoot me an e mail.
Correction: An earlier model of the chart on this story didn’t embrace exterior storage costs for AirTV. The chart has been up to date with the proper calculations.
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