Cheapest setup for DVR?

[Tullphan]

I've got a couple of extra PC's sitting around & would like to put one of them to good use.
I'm wanting to rig up a "DVR"...hopefully it'll give me more/better options than a VCR.
Just exactly what will I need?
Thanks!

 

[MalVeauX]

Heya,

A decent TV tuner. The Hauppage 1250 is like $50 and has great quality. The big brother version has two inputs so that you can do even more DVR (like record one, while you watch another channel, etc) but it's almost three times as expensive. It's PCIe by the way.

A fat HDD, like a 1TB or 1.5TB to begin.

That's pretty much it. Besides software. Window Media Center can do it decently. Otherwise, there's sourceforge stuff if you want free. Or if you're willing to pay, there's other options (though I've not seen one worth paying for that a sourceforge option didn't already equal for free).

Very best,

 

[Winterpool]

Be aware that the typical tuner card will only permit you to record over-the-air television broadcasts or ClearQAM cable channels (unencrypted TV -- typically these are the same channels you'd get over the air, ie major networks, PBS).

To watch or record other cable channels on your computer, you need CableCARD, but until recently the cable companies weren't letting CableCARD work with very many independent devices (thus defeating the whole point of CableCARD and driving you back to the cable companies' set-top boxes). Recently Microsoft won some sort of deal with the cable companies, and we should be getting real CableCARD tuners soon, but apparently they will only work with Windows 7?

Here's a Microsoft primer for using CableCARD tuners with the Windows 7 Media Centre.

 

[Tullphan]

I've got cable TV w/a cable company-supplied HD receiver w/a DVR.
I really don't know how to go about transferring programs that I record on it onto a VCR or DVD.

 

[Slugbait]

I've got cable TV w/a cable company-supplied HD receiver w/a DVR.
I really don't know how to go about transferring programs that I record on it onto a VCR or DVD.

It's not simple, but it can be done: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?postid=3818890#post3818890

...we should be getting real CableCARD tuners soon, but apparently they will only work with Windows 7?

AFAIK, that is correct. In addition, some cable companies will provide the first CableCard without a monthly fee (additional CableCards will incur a monthly fee).

Be aware that the typical tuner card will only permit you to record over-the-air television broadcasts or ClearQAM cable channels (unencrypted TV --

This is incorrect. Comcast just finished encrypting throughout the state early this month, and I can view/record all Digital Starter (formerly Expanded Basic) channels via an old Hauppauge 250MCE card. The card came with an IR Blaster, which is required in order to change the channels on the box...after running through the setup wizard again, of course. It's a PITA, but it will suffice for now.

You will also need Toslink or coaxial output for discreet surround sound to your amp. Another option is using analog cables from the soundcard, but your amp needs to have the six analog inputs (most don't).

If going with MCE2K5, you'll want at least 512 megs of RAM. If going with Vista Premium/Ultimate (or Win7 MCE), two gigs.

Alternatives to MCE are XMBC and Boxee. Decent primer here: http://www.maximumpc.com/article/pdf_archives/may_2009_build_ultimate_tv_movie_pc