It's not quite a review, but IEEE Spectrum has a feature on Plextor's ConvertX PX-TV402U PVR, which looks like a fairly decent external PVR setup.For $199 (PC), or $229 (Mac) you get a stand-alone USB box and a host of A/V inputs, including RF. NTSC and PAL are both supported, but cable and digital satellite outputs are not, apparently.
It features all the standard PVR function, but the IEEE Spectrum chaps managed to get it working as a video server on their office network, allowing other users to watch what was being received and change channels remotely.
The gimmick behind the video server function was the addition of CyTV for the Mac.
According to the report, it's both easy to install "and gives viewers freedom in how they want to watch and record television."
