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#121
It really bugs me to watch streaming video or any dvd on my computer but I know some prefer that. I don't do that much recording and still use the old fashion vcr at least till it dies. A lot of tv and streaming programs don't really interest me. My main concern for her is lighting striking her systems. It will be getting harder to get a replacement windows 7 system unless there is a Linux system that does what she wants it to do. I would recommend looking for Linux system that doesn't have a rolling release. That what I call windows 10(a rolling release).
That was the reason I bought a second spare notebook while I could still get one with Win 7 on it. I use a notebook only when my desktop is down (which is rarely) or when I travel so the three should easily last me through the EOL of Win 7, after which I will be using Linux or one of the Windows emulating OSs currently being developed (assuming they are ready by then; none are ready for prime time yet).
Was that an offer to buy me those (just "love" it when people tell me how I should spend my money)?
I have a TV; it is connected to my computer (I also use it for reading e-books). Why have a separate DVR when my computer is quite capable of doing the same thing? My computer doubles as a workstation PC and an HTPC. I already have all of my music digitized, most of my books are now e-books, and I will eventually have all of my movies ripped to the computer as well so I don't have to waste space storing physical copies of all my media.
Last edited by Lady Fitzgerald; 08 Aug 2016 at 14:11.
A lightning arrestor works fine for protecting me from lightning. My TV tuners are external from my computer so only they would sustain any damage from a direct hit from lightning if the arrestor failed to do its job.
I don't stream TV programs (most network websites won't let me do so anyway because of my ad blocker, even if I white list their site). I don't watch TV programs on my computer (even 24" monitors are too small for that); that is why I have my computer connected to my TV.
I stopped using my VCR/DVD combo years ago for recording and watching DVDs; my computer is far more reliable for that and can record multiple programs unattended while I am out of town, especially when I'm gone for several days or a week or more (try that with a DVR). It also works just fine for watching DVDs. I get all the programming I want and have time to watch from local OTA stations.
I'm already looking for replacements for my Windows programs that will run in Linux (the company that makes my computer's TV tuners is currently developing a replacement for WMC that will run in Linux). For those programs that can't be run in Linux, I will run them in Win 7 using a VM in Linux (probably Zorin). As far as replacing windows systems goes, I have three retail copies of Windows (two Ultimate and one Home Premium) and I can build my own desktop computers (I've already built one). I also have two spare Win 7 notebooks so I'm set for notebooks. Once I switch over to Linux or, possibly, one of the Windows replacement OSs currently being developed, it won't matter what notebook I buy (full sized laptops are too heavy and bulky, especially for travel).
I also have 3 computers hooked up to three TV's. A 37" LG, a 40" Samsung and a 57" Projection Sony TV. From the computers I can stream Amazon, Netflix and other programing, I can watch my Star Trek / Wars Blu Ray DVD and also Region 2 from the UK and Europe. A Region Free DVD player usually carries a hefty premium but Asus DVD Writes are under $20 and make great DVD players set to Region 1 (Home) and Region 2 (Family home in England). So I can watch my Madness DVD, Several Corrs DVD's not readily available here and Kirsty McCall. I also record a number of local Indy Channels for Whose Line Is It Anyway? Nova, Nature, Scorpion and Big Bang Theory. I don't have cable but have 500mbs down and 30 up so can pretty much do whatever I like on line as it is so quick. I find the 3 machines I have set up to do this a very cost effective way to cut the cable. Honestly 95% of what is on TV is utter crap and to think most of us are quite happy for cable companies to pump the crap into our homes and we pay for the honour on top of 15 mins + per hour of commercials. Oh and I use media center and a remote to control the DVR function of the PC's.
Hi,
My nephew uses Linux lite and a Ruku seems to work okay but is internet speed dependent just like streaming via a browser on a computer
If it came down to that I would probably use Zorin too
Cable companies stream content too obviously :)
Difference is their dvr service is just that a service and a user can not view the recorded content without a internet connection
The dvr content is encrypted