Well, open-source HTPC software has made tremendous strides in recent years and now we don’t have to take it anymore! Even worse, those DVRs are closed systems, hindered by DRM copy-protection and advertising schemes and some even limit what streaming services you can receive. Even those DVRs that can record free broadcast HDTV typically disable that feature if your subscription is not paid. The problem is that the DVRs provided by cable and satellite companies only function when their subscriptions are active. The ability to time-shift record and skip commercials is essential to most users, as it should be. Why forgo the largest source of free TV programming available, especially when it’s more reliable and provides better picture quality than streaming, cable or satellite TV? But don’t settle for a half-baked solution! Most of the new services out there, such as Microsoft’s Xbox Live and Google’s Chromecast, offer internet streaming only, with no ability to receive broadcast HDTV.

Taking back control from the Titans of TV not only saves money but also time which ultimately makes watching TV a better experience. There is a quiet revolution underway as people are dropping their cable and satellite TV services in favor of low-cost internet streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, YouTube, Amazon, Fox News and free terrestrial broadcast HDTV.

Updated and Revised June, 2016 Introduction The Best HTPC Guide for Internet and Live TV in America Cut the cable and build your own DVR with Kodi, MediaPortal and SchedulesDirect.

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