HDTV, DVR , TIVO questions...

[Duke{CLR}]

I thinking about getting rid of my satellite company. We use Netflix and Amazon for about %90 of our content. There are a few shows that my wife like to record though but those are available on networks that broadcast a HD signal in our area. I'm looking to get a HD antenna and would like be able to record shows and watch TV in several rooms. I guess that would mean I need to get some sort of receiver and a DVR. Does anyone here know much about this? Here are a few questions...

Can one antenna send signals to multiple devices?

I see TIVO devices that would require a monthly fee but look as thought they would be easy to set up and use, does anyone have experience with them?

Do smart TVs have the ability to decode the signal without a receiver?

I have my house wired with Cat6 and Coax, is there some sort PC I could use to handle all this?

Any other thoughts or input are welcome.

[{CLR}geneSW]

I do a little bit of this in addition to my regular cable service. My TV isn't exactly "smart", but it does accept video input via network (Cat6). I stream videos (.avi's or .mp4, or almost any other format for that matter) directly from my PC to the tv using the DCMI input on my TV. I can stream Netflix and other such services through my blueray player, so all I have to do is switch inputs again to gain access to that. As for recording, there are TV Tuners which can record directly to the HDD/SSD, and then you can use XBMC (program) to stream them to your TV like I do. I'm able to do this simply because I already had most of the equipment and just needed to hook it up. A roku box can do most of what you want as well. Keep in mind that a "smart" TV is still limited in what it can do, and doesn't exactly multitask (blueray player that also streams netflix/amazon prime video for example).

These are just example of some of the ways you can set-up your area, I strongly suggest you take a surf on the googles and see what all of your options are.

[Dead...Again]

Duke,
I believe one antenna should work for all TVs in your house, like an analog antenna would. However, you need to check whether you will get a decent signal where you are. For me, I live too far away from all of the stations in Atlanta to get a digital signal. With digital, it is all or nothing, so you can't get a "fuzzy" signal. I think there are websites that will tell you what stations you can pick up digitally based on your address. Google it?

I believe all HDTVs can take a digital off-air signal directly without needing a box.

If you want a DVR, I would recommend building an HTPC. You can by a TV tuner for it and set it up to record all the shows you need. Plus no fees.