Ask Laz: HBO aside, can you record local channels using an antenna?

Anyone who, like myself, has been on the fence about cutting the cable cord received a powerful nudge Wednesday as HBO announced the debut of an online streaming service. It will allow subscribers to watch HBO programs without a cable or satellite box.

But Marilyn has a question about local channels, which she receives via an antenna on her roof.

“The commercials are too long,” she says. “Is there a way to record TV programs if you’re using an antenna?”

ASK LAZ: Smart answers to consumer questions

I’m with you, Marilyn. I seldom watch live TV any more -- except when (shameless plug) I’m doing my daily segments on KTLA-TV Channel 5.

So I don’t watch “The Walking Dead” when it first airs on Sunday night. I record it and then watch it later, allowing me to breeze past all the commercials. An hourlong show thus becomes 45 minutes.

And, once again, technology rides to the rescue. There are indeed devices that will record so-called over-the-air signals for later viewing.

The U.S. Supreme Court put the kibosh on one of the leading services, Aereo, ruling that it ran afoul of copyright law. But there are others you can check out.

For example, there’s the TiVo Roamio, which is pricey (about $200 for the hardware, $500 for a lifetime subscription) but a top-of-the-line digital video recorder.

Simple.tv can run about $200 for the box but its lifetime subscription costs only $150.

Also take a look at the Channel Master DVR, which can come with a hefty initial price tag (about $250) but has no subscription fee.

Pretty soon, it seems, only chumps will be paying more than $100 a month for hundreds of cable or satellite channels that they never watch.

If you have a consumer question, email me at asklaz@latimes.com or contact me via Twitter @Davidlaz.