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Can You Still Record TV Without Cable? Yes, Here's How

Learn how to record OTA TV without cable. Compare DVR solutions, storage requirements, and automatic commercial skipping.

Can You Still Record TV Without Cable? Yes, Here's How

Last Updated: October 2025

One of the biggest fears people have about cutting cable is losing their DVR. Good news: you can record over-the-air TV just like cable, often with better features and no monthly DVR fees.

This guide explains exactly how to set up a DVR for free antenna TV, what equipment you need, and which solutions work best.

DVR Myths Debunked

Myth #1: "You need cable to record TV" False. Over-the-air (OTA) TV can be recorded just like cable. In fact, OTA recordings are higher quality because they're not compressed like cable feeds.

Myth #2: "OTA DVRs are complicated to set up" False. Modern OTA DVR solutions are easier to use than cable DVRs. Most set up in under 30 minutes.

Myth #3: "You'll have to pay monthly DVR fees" False. Most OTA DVR solutions have no monthly fees. Some have optional subscriptions for premium features, but basic recording is usually free or one-time purchase.

Myth #4: "You can't skip commercials without cable" False. OTA DVR solutions actually have better commercial skip features than cable DVRs. Some automatically skip commercials with no manual fast-forwarding needed.

How OTA DVR Works

Traditional Cable DVR: Cable company provides box → You pay $10-20/month → Limited storage → Records cable channels

OTA DVR: Your antenna → Network tuner with DVR → Your storage (or built-in) → Records free channels → No monthly fees

The basic setup:

  1. Antenna receives broadcasts (ABC, CBS, FOX, NBC, PBS, etc.)
  2. Network tuner connects antenna to your home network
  3. DVR software schedules and manages recordings
  4. Recordings are stored on hard drive or built-in storage
  5. Any TV/device on your network can play recordings

OTA DVR Solutions Compared

Option 1: HDHomeRun + Channels DVR (Best Overall Experience)

What You Need:

Total First Year Cost: $620 (hardware) + $80 (software) = $700 Subsequent Years: $80/year for Channels subscription

What You Get:

  • Automatic commercial skip (no manual fast-forwarding needed)
  • Beautiful, intuitive interface
  • Records up to 4 shows simultaneously
  • Remote access (watch recordings anywhere)
  • Smart series recording (only new episodes)
  • Custom skip/replay intervals
  • Watch while recording
  • Thumbnail preview when scrubbing
  • Works on all devices (Apple TV, Roku, Fire TV, iOS, Android, web)

Pros: ✅ Best DVR interface available (better than cable) ✅ Automatic commercial detection and skip ✅ No quality loss (full broadcast quality) ✅ Records as many shows as your storage allows ✅ Flexible and customizable ✅ Regular updates and new features ✅ Works with any HDHomeRun device

Cons: ❌ Requires computer or NAS to run DVR server ❌ Annual subscription ($80/year) ❌ Most complex setup (but worth it) ❌ Higher upfront cost

Best For: Tech-savvy users who want the absolute best DVR experience and don't mind running server software.

How It Works:

  1. Install Channels DVR Server software on a computer, Mac, NAS, or Raspberry Pi
  2. Connect HDHomeRun to your network
  3. Channels detects HDHomeRun automatically
  4. Add storage location (external hard drive or NAS)
  5. Install Channels apps on Apple TV, Roku, or other devices
  6. Browse guide, schedule recordings, watch live TV

Option 2: HDHomeRun Scribe (Built-in DVR)

What You Need:

Total Cost: $360-$380 (one-time) Subsequent Years: $0

What You Get:

  • 150GB built-in storage (~80 hours of HD recording)
  • Records 2 shows simultaneously
  • No subscription required
  • Basic DVR features
  • Works with HDHomeRun app

Pros: ✅ All-in-one solution (no external storage needed) ✅ No monthly fees ever ✅ Simple setup ✅ No computer required

Cons: ❌ Only 150GB storage (limited recording capacity) ❌ Only 2 tuners (can't record as many shows at once) ❌ Basic DVR features (no automatic commercial skip) ❌ Can't expand storage ❌ Interface not as polished as Channels

Best For: People who want simple DVR without external storage or subscriptions, and don't need tons of recording capacity.

Option 3: Tablo (All-in-One DVR)

What You Need:

Total Cost: $390-$490 (one-time) Subsequent Years: $0

What You Get:

  • Built-in DVR software
  • Records 4 shows simultaneously
  • HDMI output (connect directly to one TV)
  • Network streaming to other TVs
  • Commercial skip available
  • Program guide included
  • No subscription required

Pros: ✅ All-in-one solution (DVR built-in) ✅ No subscription fees ✅ HDMI connection to TV (works like traditional DVR) ✅ Also streams to other TVs on network ✅ Good Roku support ✅ Commercial skip feature ✅ No computer required

Cons: ❌ Requires internet for DVR features and guide ❌ Interface not as refined as Channels ❌ Less streaming device compatibility than HDHomeRun ❌ No ATSC 3.0 support for future 4K broadcasts

Best For: People who want an all-in-one DVR that connects directly to their TV via HDMI, with the option to stream to other rooms.

Alternative Option: Tablo Dual HDMI - $249.99 (2 tuners, saves $50)

Option 4: Plex DVR (For Plex Users)

What You Need:

Total Cost: $390 (hardware) + $120 lifetime Plex = $510 Subsequent Years: $0 (if you bought lifetime pass)

What You Get:

  • DVR integrated with your Plex media library
  • Commercial skip
  • Records as many shows as storage allows
  • Remote access
  • Works on all Plex-supported devices
  • Combines OTA TV with your personal media collection

Pros: ✅ Integrates with existing Plex library ✅ Commercial skip ✅ Remote access ✅ Works on every platform ✅ One interface for all media (OTA, movies, TV shows, music)

Cons: ❌ Requires Plex Pass subscription ❌ Requires computer or NAS to run Plex server ❌ DVR features not as polished as Channels ❌ Setup can be complex for beginners ❌ Performance depends on server hardware

Best For: Existing Plex users who want to add OTA DVR to their media server.

Storage Requirements and Recommendations

How Much Storage Do You Need?

Recording Capacity:

  • 1TB: ~500 hours of HD content
  • 2TB: ~1,000 hours of HD content (~42 days continuous)
  • 4TB: ~2,000 hours of HD content (~83 days continuous)

Typical Usage Scenarios:

Light DVR User (5-10 hours recorded per week)

  • Recommendation: 1-2TB
  • You'll have ~100-200 hours of content stored at any time

Moderate DVR User (10-20 hours recorded per week)

  • Recommendation: 2-4TB
  • You'll have ~200-400 hours of content stored

Heavy DVR User (20+ hours recorded per week, whole season recording)

  • Recommendation: 4TB or larger
  • You'll have ~400+ hours of content stored

Recommended Hard Drives

Budget Option: 2TB

Recommended: 4TB (Best Value)

Why we recommend 4TB:

  • Only $25 more than 2TB but double the capacity
  • Future-proof for growing recording library
  • Room for entire TV series seasons
  • Never have to worry about running out of space

USB Drive Requirements

For Tablo:

  • USB 3.0 required
  • External power not needed (bus-powered works)
  • Minimum 128GB, maximum 8TB
  • Must be formatted by Tablo (erases existing data)

For HDHomeRun with Channels/Plex:

  • USB 3.0 recommended (but USB 2.0 works)
  • Connected to your computer or NAS, not directly to HDHomeRun
  • Any size supported
  • Can be internal or external drive

Commercial Skipping Explained

One of the best features of modern OTA DVR solutions is automatic commercial detection and skipping.

How It Works

Channels DVR (Best Commercial Skip):

  1. Records show with commercials
  2. After recording completes, Channels analyzes the file
  3. Identifies commercial breaks using audio/video patterns
  4. Marks commercial segments
  5. When you watch, commercials are automatically skipped (no manual fast-forward)
  6. One button press skips entire commercial break

Plex DVR:

  • Similar to Channels but less accurate
  • Marks commercials after processing
  • Can automatically skip or show markers for manual skip

Tablo:

  • Commercial skip feature available
  • Manual button press to skip detected commercials
  • Less automatic than Channels

HDHomeRun Scribe:

  • No automatic commercial detection
  • Must manually fast-forward through commercials

Commercial Skip Accuracy

Channels DVR: 95%+ accuracy (excellent) Plex DVR: 85-90% accuracy (good) Tablo: 80-85% accuracy (decent)

Setting Up DVR: Step-by-Step

Setup Example: HDHomeRun Flex 4K + Channels DVR

What You'll Need:

Total: $527 first year

Step 1: Connect HDHomeRun (5 minutes)

  1. Connect antenna coax cable to HDHomeRun
  2. Connect HDHomeRun to router with ethernet cable
  3. Plug in power adapter
  4. Wait for LED to turn solid green

Step 2: Install Channels DVR Server (10 minutes)

  1. Download Channels DVR Server from getchannels.com
  2. Install on Mac, Windows PC, Linux, or NAS
  3. Launch Channels DVR Server
  4. Server automatically detects HDHomeRun on network
  5. Connect external hard drive to computer
  6. Point Channels to storage location

Step 3: Configure DVR (10 minutes)

  1. Open Channels DVR web interface
  2. Scan for channels (takes 2-3 minutes)
  3. Configure commercial detection settings
  4. Set recording quality (Best/Good/Fair)
  5. Configure storage management (auto-delete watched, keep X episodes)

Step 4: Install Channels App on Apple TV (5 minutes)

  1. Download Channels app from App Store
  2. Open app
  3. App automatically finds Channels DVR Server
  4. Connect and start watching/recording

Step 5: Schedule Recordings

  1. Browse program guide
  2. Select show
  3. Choose "Record" or "Record Series"
  4. Set recording rules (new only, all episodes, keep X episodes)
  5. Done! Channels handles the rest automatically

Total Setup Time: 30 minutes

You're now recording TV just like cable, but with:

  • No monthly DVR fees (just $80/year for Channels)
  • Better commercial skip than cable
  • More storage than cable DVRs
  • Better quality than cable
  • Watch recordings anywhere

Scheduled Recording Features

What Modern OTA DVRs Can Do

Series Recording:

  • Record entire series automatically
  • Only record new episodes (skip reruns)
  • Keep only last X episodes (auto-delete old ones)
  • Record multiple showings (if you miss the early one)

One-Time Recording:

  • Record single episode
  • Record with buffer (start early, end late)
  • Padding for sports (auto-extend if game runs long)

Smart Recording:

  • Don't record duplicates across multiple channels
  • Auto-record any episode of series on any channel
  • Priority system (if two shows conflict, record higher priority)
  • Low storage warnings

Season Pass / Subscription:

  • Automatically record all new episodes of a series
  • Follow series across channels (if it moves)
  • Keep entire season or just recent episodes

Program Guide

All OTA DVR solutions include free program guides showing upcoming shows:

Channels DVR: 14 days of guide data (excellent) Plex DVR: 14 days of guide data (excellent) Tablo: 14 days of guide data (good, requires internet) HDHomeRun Scribe: 14 days of guide data (basic)

Comparing OTA DVR to Cable DVR

| Feature | OTA DVR (Channels) | Cable DVR | |---------|-------------------|-----------| | Monthly Fee | $6.67 ($80/year) | $10-$20/month | | Storage | 4TB (2,000 hours) | 500-1000GB (~200-500 hours) | | Commercial Skip | Automatic | Manual fast-forward only | | Recording Quality | Full broadcast quality (19 Mbps) | Compressed (8-12 Mbps) | | Number of Tuners | 4 typical | 3-6 typical | | Remote Access | Yes (watch anywhere) | Sometimes (app dependent) | | Keep Recordings | Forever | Often limited to 1 year | | Recording Management | Flexible rules | Basic options | | Interface Speed | Very fast | Often slow |

OTA DVR Advantages: ✅ Lower cost (one-time hardware + optional small subscription) ✅ More storage for less money ✅ Better commercial skip ✅ Higher quality recordings (no cable compression) ✅ Keep recordings forever ✅ Better recording management

Cable DVR Advantages: ✅ Records cable-only channels (ESPN, TNT, etc.) ✅ Included in cable package (but you pay monthly) ✅ No setup required ✅ 24/7 phone support from cable company

Complete Shopping Lists

Best Overall DVR: Channels DVR

Best Budget DVR: Tablo

Best Simple DVR: HDHomeRun Scribe

Best for Plex Users: Plex DVR

Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Can I record multiple shows at the same time? A: Yes! The number depends on your tuners:

  • 2 tuners = record 2 shows at once
  • 4 tuners = record 4 shows at once You can also watch live TV while recording.

Q: What happens if two shows I want to record air at the same time? A: If you have enough tuners, both record. If not, you set priority or the DVR finds a rerun to record later.

Q: Can I watch recordings on my phone/tablet? A: Yes! Channels, Plex, and Tablo all have mobile apps. You can watch recordings anywhere with internet.

Q: How long do recordings last? A: Forever, unless you delete them or set auto-delete rules. Unlike cable, there's no expiration.

Q: Can I transfer recordings to my computer? A: With Channels and Plex, yes (recordings are just video files). With Tablo, recordings are encrypted and locked to your Tablo device.

Q: Do I need internet to watch recordings? A: Channels and Plex work offline. Tablo requires internet for some DVR features.

Q: Can I pause and rewind live TV? A: Yes! All OTA DVR solutions support pausing, rewinding, and fast-forwarding live TV.

Q: What if I run out of storage? A: You can upgrade to a larger hard drive anytime (except with HDHomeRun Scribe's fixed storage). Or set auto-delete rules to keep only recent episodes.

Our Recommendation

For the best DVR experience, we recommend:

HDHomeRun Flex 4K + Channels DVR

Yes, it's more expensive upfront (~$527 first year), but you get:

  • The best DVR interface available (better than cable)
  • Automatic commercial skipping
  • Unlimited storage (just add bigger hard drives)
  • Remote access to watch anywhere
  • Works on every device
  • Regular updates and improvements

Cost comparison over 5 years:

Cable DVR: $15/month × 60 months = $900 Channels DVR: $527 (year 1) + $320 (years 2-5) = $847

You actually save money compared to cable DVR, and get a vastly superior experience.

For budget-conscious users:

Tablo Dual HDMI at $315 provides DVR functionality with no subscription. It's not as polished as Channels, but it works well and has no ongoing costs.

Next Steps

  1. Choose your DVR solution based on budget and technical comfort level
  2. Get storage if needed (we recommend 4TB for most users)
  3. Connect everything - takes about 30 minutes
  4. Schedule recordings and enjoy DVR just like cable (but better)

The best part? Once you experience automatic commercial skipping on OTA DVR, you'll never want to go back to cable. You're getting better quality, more storage, more features, and lower cost—all while watching completely free broadcast TV.

Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. We may earn a commission from purchases made through links on this page at no additional cost to you. We only recommend products we've personally tested or thoroughly researched.

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