TV on PC

[zinc]

I want to be able to record tv onto my pc my current set up is like this:

I have a hdtv that doubles as a monitor for my pc through a dvi to hdmi socket, the tv also has sky tv on it through a very long coaxial cable running from the sky digi box downstairs to the back of my tv,
how can I record tv programmes so they store on the pc hardrive? I have a video card that has a tv-out output can i do something with that or do i have to buy additional hardware like a tv card.

Thanks.

[jman98]

You need a card that is capable of video capture. Having a video card that can do TV out does not necessarily imply the ability to do TV in. I strongly recommend that people consider PCI based solutions as in my experience they just work more reliably than USB based devices. If you don't need high definition, the Hauppauge PVR-250 and PVR-350 cards are really excellent for capture and just work for everybody. The PVR-150 uses a different chip set and although cheaper, may or may not work for any given PC. The 350 has TV out, the 250 does not, otherwise they are identical. If you need high def capturing, I have less experience with cards that do that. I have a MyHD 130 card that's OK, but there might be something better on the market now than that old card.

[rallynavvie]

I'm guessing the Hauppauge HVR-1600 or -1800 have versions available for the UK. Here it accepts an ATSC antenna for OTA digital channels. It can also view other unencrypted QAM sources. Sky Digital is a satellite service, right? That may require some other interface, like a STB, similar to DirecTV here. It may be a bit more difficult if that's the case.