Topic: DVR PC

[NWR_DrewMG]

I'm planning on building a DVR PC.  I've never done that before, but I have a spare PC lying around, and I know my way around the inside of it pretty well.  Anyone have suggestions for what TV Tuner to buy, or what DVR software to use?

[BranDonk Kong]

Just install Vista Home Premium or XP Media Center Edition on it, get a TV tuner with a hardware MPEG-2 decoder (I believe that's a requirement), dual tuners if you can. HD would be nice too, with a built in cable tuner, other than that it's up to you. MCE probably isn't the *best* DVR software, but it's very easy to use.

[NWR_DrewMG]

If there's a significant cost difference, I may skip the Dual Tuner and just put a separate line into the TV directly.  I'll be able to watch and record different channels, just not record two channels at once.

[BranDonk Kong]

eBay, my friend...and Newegg.

[bustin98]

I'm not going to tell you what to get but rather what I have: Vista using Media Center. I looked around and thought about Linux and some media software that does everything except wash my dishes, but in the end the setup I have works awesome. I can now use 360s as media extenders, so everything that is recorded I can watch while in bed or on the main tv. Using the 360 as an extender is comparable to other extenders in price, and if I want to play some games in bed I have that option.

[BranDonk Kong]

Yes, if you have a 360 in another room, that is a huge plus for using Vista MCE or XP MCE.

[NWR_DrewMG]

I have a 360, but it's hooked up to the same TV I'll have my DVR hooked up to.

[ThePerm]

dual boot

[NWR_DrewMG]

Okay, I finally got this set up today.  I went with a used old Hauppagge MCE 150 card and a copy of Windows XP MCE.  It was working fine until I realized that my video card didn't have MPEG decoder support.  I started looking up other video cards when it dawned on me that I don't need an MPEG decoder - I have a 360.  I set up Media Center Extender on my 360 and PC, and it works like a charm. 

Awesome.