Simple.TV offers DVR convenience and HD network shows for those who go without cable

January 19, 2012 By Kelly Montgomery

A new device out this spring aims to bridge the gap between streaming boxes and expensive cable and DVR. Simple.TV offers live HD network television as well as DVR recording and remote streaming on mobile devices.

With more and more streaming options being added to our online lives all the time, it’s becoming more and more tempting for some people to cut the cable cord altogether. If you’ve got a Roku box or gaming console along with Netflix and/or Hulu Plus accounts, paying somewhere around $80-$100 for full cable service might seem like a bit much. To many, though, cutting out regular TV altogether is too extreme, but now we have something to give consumers a middle ground. Simple.TV ($149 + $5/month) allows consumers to cut costs by only paying for basic cable (network TV) or using an antenna while still offering the convenience of DVR features and full 1080p HD live TV.

Users must connect the small device to either a coax cable or use the included HD antenna, hook up the box to a home internet network, and attach a USB external hard drive; after all that is said and done, users will be able to watch live HD TV on the hooked up TV as well as other devices (iPad, Roku, Boxee, and Google TV) and will also be able to set program recordings, pause live TV, and view an electronic channel guide. The company estimates that over two years the device could save users $1,800-$3,000 in cable bills. What do cable DVR boxes have that Simple.TV doesn’t? Usually multiple tuners. If you want to record programs on two different channels at once, you’ll have to buy two Simple.TV boxes and have external storage for each of them, making the cost/benefit a little less enticing.

We don’t imagine that this would work out very well for TV junkies, but for those who could survive on just Netflix and Hulu Plus but like the idea of having access to live network TV as well, this hits the nail on the head. The device won’t be available until spring, but you can reserve one now.

Showing 6 comments

Connan at 12:37pm 21st January 2012 Simple.TV is a cool device to own if I already did not have satellite TV service with DISH Network. The reason why I say this is because DISH Network has just came out with a new product called the Hopper that is sling compatible and allows streaming movie services through Blockbuster Movie Pass! The Hopper has three tuners so it can record up to six shows at once and holds up to 250 hours of HD recording time. A co-worker at DISH Network told me that the Hopper gives customers full DVR functions in all four rooms. The Hopper comes with three client boxes called Joeys and I would love to be able to get this DVR.
jakep_82 at 4:26pm 19th January 2012 This is a great idea, but the $5 a month charge for EPG data kills it for me. I use an antenna because I'm trying to eliminate monthly bills.
1. Kelly Montgomery at 10:22am 24th January 2012 You don't actually have to pay the $5/month, but without it you can only record shows manually and have access to fewer features.
  1. jakep_82 at 10:42am 24th January 2012 I would use this as a replacement for a DVR. It won't work for that unless I pay $5 every month. I currently use an HDHomerun with WMC. It's completely free and works very well, but it requires me to have an HTPC. This device would allow me to get the Sony Blu-Ray with Google TV and only have one box connected to my TV. It would handle live TV, recordings, Blu-Ray, Netflix streaming, etc. I'm just not willing to pay $5 every month for something I currently get for free.
    Kelly Montgomery at 10:44am 24th January 2012 Fair enough! It's a cool device, but could definitely use some more tweaking. Maybe getting rid of the monthly fee and configuring it to be able to record two shows at once.
    jakep_82 at 10:47am 24th January 2012 That's the other problem. $150 for a single tuner is pretty steep. The HDHomerun is $130 for a dual tuner. Of course it's not an apples to apples comparison because the Simple.TV is more than just a tuner, but it's still pretty expensive.