DVD Recorder for TV Shows

[coolbake]

I am tired of paying for Tivo or DVR Service...but I don't know much about DVD recorders. I have heard people run a type of TV recording program from their computer that acts like a Tivo and it saves TV shows to their harddrive and they can watch it on their TV or computer. Is anyone familiar with this? What do I need to do or where should I go to find out? I could also just buy a DVD recording unit that has a built in harddrive but I don't know much about those either. Any help would be appreciated, thanks!

Ryan

Where should I post this?

[guns1inger]

Where should I post this?

Here will do for the moment. If it gets more specialised a mod will move it later.

To record to your PC HDD you need a TV Tuner card of some description. If you are in an area with good digital reception, get one with a digital tuner so you can grab the streams as broadcast. Haupagge, DVICO and Leadtek all produce cards like this. Most come with PVR type software that lets you schedule your recording.

If you go down this path it is also worth looking at something like VideoRedo or Womble Mpeg Wizard to trim out commercials before transferring to disc.

[coolbake]

Thanks for the reply. When you say digital reception..are you just talking about digital cable through a coax cable? If not, I have nothing wireless or anything if that is what you meant. I will have charter digital cable, and I will need to buy a new video card. Is there software that helps you program recording shows? Thanks