Digital Video Recorder (DVR)

So you want to record your favorite television show? Should you use timeless VHS and the slow VCR that seems to play back whatever quality it feels like that day? Or use the latest in technology and reproduce the same great video and sound quality each time you watch?

I prefer DVR. In fact, the only reason I have a VCR still hooked up in my house is to play back those old VHS tapes my kids love to watch. Or to watch one of the many home videos recorded over the years (this is another topic I will cover in a later article.)

There are a number of options when deciding how to set up DVR. Your cable television or satellite provider will only let you use DVR if you sign on with a package that has a set-top box attached to the TV (See what Cablevision is attempting to do for a new concept that may change this…or may not if the content providers have their way). I could not live with this. I want to reduce the amount of hardware I have, not increase it. So, I upgraded my computer in my office from Windows XP Home Edition to Windows XP Media Center Edition. You could also buy one of thousands of PCs already installed with the necessary hardware and software. I choose to do it myself instead of getting a whole new machine replacing the one the functions perfectly fine. You could also use software such as MythTV and piecemeal the components together. However, I prefer the easy to use TV interface Media Center provides and also the compatibility between software and hardware is seamless.

Windows XP Media Center Edition (MCE) is a dream come true. I have all the same features the cable and satellite providers offer with their DVR, but for FREE and with additional features. Yes free, no subscription costs whatsoever. The only investment was the initial setup cost, that’s it. Now I can sit at my TV and record, rewind, play slow-mo, and I can even access digital pictures stored on my computer, digital videos stored, and so much more.

My Setup:

• Home built PC installed with Windows XP MCE and a TV tuner card (to connect my cable line);


• Broadband Internet connection (to get automatic updates for the TV guide);


• Media Center Extender (in my case Xbox 360)

Significant Benefit:
All the television shows I record are stored on my computers hard drive. From there I can choose to leave them and/or archive to DVD.

There is so much more I can tell you about this, but figure it is best to stop now before I get to deep. Just remember, no need to pay for a monthly or yearly service plan, when you can get it free.

One Flaw:
Windows XP MCE does not support HDTV over the cable or satellite line, yet. It only supports HDTV over the air (See HDTV and your Media Center PC for more details.

• Digital video recorder