Reply #61: Do this, instead.

[Occulus]

Get a TV card for your computer. Many brands ship with software to install that makes your computer act like a DVR- complete with channel listings for your area, and (in my case) a programmable channel grid that allows recording schedules.

These usually allow for recording in multiple formats, using different compression schemes, so you can set it up to record shows with as large a result file as you like (this equates to the resolution of the video; taking a capture at 320x240 resolution will take up signifigantly less space than taking a full-screen, DVD quality capture). Resulting files are stored in regular directories just like all other movie files, and there are several utilities out there capable of opening and editing these frame-by-frame. Ten or fifteen minutes worth of work (plus time to 'bake' the final cut) can find you with a file that has all commercials removed.

Additionally, many modern video cards (such as several made by ATI) have TV in/out capability, allowing you to hook your computer up to your TV directly so you can use the TV as a second monitor (and many of these cards support formatted output, for use with nonstandard screen sizes, like widescreen). By combining the record feature on the card with its TV out capability, you can effectively achieve the exact same effect with a PC- ABSENT the monthly subscription fees- as you can with Dish DVR or Tivo.

I was going to get a Tivo, in fact, until I figured out how to do the same thing with my PC. Now I have no need for Tivo at all- my PC does the exact same things.