You are telling me to buy a smaller, refurb HDTV.
Then, you are not considering an HDTV DVR box and the cost of programming. I don't have any free HDTV programming.
I don't want a smaller TV.
Smaller? You said you had a 17" TV. 32 > 17 last time I checked.
If you are in hte boonies, then this option is not for you. I have no problem if you don't want to take the leap. I was just informing you that I had done so for a grand total of $299. MUCH less than the $2K figure you threw out there.
And if I REALLY wanted some kind of DVR setup with what I presently have, I could get a brand new computer solution for probablly less than $600 which would give me the added bonus of a new computer. Or a solution that would run me < $150 with my present computer.