If you’ve talked to me or been to my website, you know that I built myself a Home Theater PC. I”m able to record three shows simultaneously while watching a fourth live or pre-recorded. Starting to record a show is a cinch, just find it by “search” or pick it from the guide, and then click on “record” — no looking for a blank tape. Plus, on playback, I can jump anywhere in the show instantly with my wireless mouse.
However, this week I learned one of the downsides of hard-drive-based systems — not just an HTPC like mine, but this would also apply to any hard-drive based unit such as a TIVO, a DVR from the cable company or a Windows Media Center PC.