While you can explore the full feature list offered by BTV on the SnapStream site, here's the features I find most compelling about this software:

Non-proprietary file formats: Digital TV (ATSC) broadcast signals are written to the server hard disk as an MPEG-2 transport stream (*.tp) file, which can be copied, edited, or viewed with any software video player that supports the format, including Windows Media Player, VideoLAN's VLC player, and most importantly, MPlayer on Linux.

Streaming content over a network: BTV Link is the client software that does exactly that: streams recorded content from the server to a client PC connected to a display. Fast (100BT) or Gigabit (1000BT) ethernet is necessary to stream high-definition programming, but standard-definition analog content can be streamed over a wireless-G network.

Playback continuity among displays: You start watching a program in the family room, then pause playback to take the family out to dinner. Later that evening, after the kids are off to bed, you can resume watching the game -- exactly where you left off -- on the widescreen projector in the basement home theater.

Show recompression for portability: You can recompress ("ShowSqueeze") any recording to either Windows Media (WMV) or DivX format, which in the case of HD, can significantly reduce the amount of disk space required to store a show. A variety of recompression profiles are available, including "DivX HD", a high-bitrate profile suitable for 1920x1080 content.

Support for multiple tuners: I didn't want to have to buy/lease an additional dual-tuner box from the cable company for another $5-10 per month, just to be able to record three shows simulaneously. I didn't want to be limited to a specific number of tuners, or to a specific type of tuner (Windows MCE requires at least one analog tuner be installed before it will use a digital tuner), and I wanted to have them all recording simulaneously. BTV supports an unlimited number of supported TV tuner devices, so your only limitation is the I/O bandwidth of your server.

Easy to add storage capacity: Sure, you can upgrade to a larger disk in a TiVo box, or your Windows MCE DVR. I've read the "HOWTOs" and seen others struggle to figure out how to backup their existing shows for relocation to the new drive. I just don't want to mess with all that. Disk upgrades should be as simple as "add the drive, tell the DVR software about it, and you're done". I've added and replaced hard drives in my BTV server, and it's really that simple.

Add new clients easily: If I decide I want to watch recorded content in the shop in the garage, for example, I don't need to call my cable/satellite provider and have them install a new tuner box: I pick up an old laptop or USFF PC, install BTV Link on it, connect to my home network and I'm done.

Commercial skip markers: This is BTV's "SmartSkip" feature: recorded shows are analyzed and metadata flags are generated, marking the beginning and end of all commercial breaks. These skip points are then easily navigable using the remote control: when playback reaches a commercial break, simply tap SKIP on the remote to skip to the next commercial-program transition. You can watch a 30-minute show in 22 minutes, a 60-minute show in 44-minutes, and a 3-hour Saturday night movie in just under two hours -- all without watching a single ad. This also works well for those rare occasions when you want to watch the ads, like during the Super Bowl.

Remote Recordings: A co-worker mentions an upcoming show you weren't aware of, and it sounds interesting, so you'd like to record it, but it starts before you'll get home that night. Instead of calling your wife and asking her to schedule it, just visit SnapStream.Net, browse your personalized listings, and schedule the recording via the website. Your BTV server will notice the remotely-scheduled recording (it checks periodically) and automatically downloads it and incorporates it into the existing recording schedule.

Archival to DVD/HD-DVD: Recordings can be written to removable media for offline storage. (I have a procedure for this, but haven't yet written it up.)

No monthly fees: Programming is captured from free broadcast NTSC (analog) or ATSC/HDTV (digital) signals via an inexpensive UHF antenna; EPG (electronic program guide) info is downloaded from SnapStream.NET free of charge, or you can opt to use an alternative EPG source.

Full control of the cost is in your hands : The only capital required to get things up and running is the TV tuner (PCI tuner cards are almost always cheaper than their set-top counterparts) and the PVR software ($70 server, $30 client). No recurring monthly siphoning of my bank account necessary. If I want to add capacity, more tuners, or additional clients, I can decide when and how much to spend. No worries about monthly fees or rate hikes.