Are there any Tivo-like devices out there that one can get without paying a monthly subscription fee?
I think some of the mini-dish satellite services have similiar services.
I bought my Tivo Series 2 about 4 years ago and paid a one-time fee of $ 250. Awesome - never had to worry about a monthly fee since!
There are some programs to give your PC Tivo-like fnunctionality, I think, that grabs tv listings from online sources. I never saw the appeal of watching tv on my computer screen, though.
You can build your own (google: MythTV), but you'll probably spend more on equipment than you would for TiVo and service. If you have DirecTV, the TiVo charge is only $5/month for as many units as you like, each with two tuners (capable of recording two programs at once).
Dish Network has a PVR that is included with your subscription. Small monthly fee after the 1st month, $4.99 or so I think. It is a pretty good PVR, I've had it for about 3 years now and could'nt watch TV without it.
Dish Network has a DVR option built into the receiver that works just like TiVo. No additional charge.
Pretty sure DirectTV has one too although I'm a DN customer.