A frind of mine gave me a computer with linux on it. There is an open source program called Myth TV,
http://mythtv.org/
This program basically mimics TiVo but has additional features and its free, no $12.95 a month service fee. I haven't hooked it up yet but I've seen his and it's pretty awsome.
Anyone have any experience with home built TiVo type devices and are they any other programs out there like Myth worth checking out?