Make old parts of PC act like a DVD standalone Recorder

[SatStorm]

OK, I have some time to waste those days and I thought, "this is a great time to work on something".

I have old PCs and working parts just sitting there. One PC based on a Duron 1200 and another one based on an Athlon XP 1800. I also have many BT878 capture cards, a Haupauge PVR250, a SkyStar 2, AirStar for DVD-T etc. Overall plenty of stuff just sitting there. So, I was thinking: Why not to build a PC to act as a DVD Recorder with a HDD?

I'm not interesting that much on building a full HTPC. I was wondering, if there is some software out there that focus on turning a PC to a HiEnd DVD standalone DVD recorder or something. With filters during capturing, etc.

I don't know how the HTPC freeware solutions like GBPVR, Mediaportal and so they are doing it on that direction.

Any suggestions to look for?

[vhelp]

I don't know. But I think that the one thing that could possibly give you an "edge" to all this would be some programming background--building a player/recorder with other features for this DIY home pvr dvd recorder, etc. But I'm not sure of your goal. Still, it is an option.

-vhelp 4939

[SatStorm]

Hi vhelp,
my goal is simply: turn old pc parts to something usefull: A DVD standalone recorder.

GeeXboX is the closer thing I found, but it is not exactly something that turns your old PC to a DVD Standalone Recorder.

It surprises me that nobody tried that already.

[Airhopper]

Hi,

I'm no expert but I don't think youl find a OS for that purpose that is available retail? (but I may be wrong).

The simple answer is to use Windows XP or Vista using that GB-PVR programme which looks good.

I assembled a similar set up using an old AMD chip etc which has a wifi connection to my isp hub, so that I can down load TV programmes etc, and various codecs as required for the various media players loaded.

My next step will be to add a TV card, so that I can record direct from my aerial.

If your interested CustomPC ran an article on this subject a month or two ago, have a look at their web site they have ideas as to the equipment best suited for PVR's. http://www.custompc.co.uk

Good luck in your search.

[SatStorm]

Hi Airhopper, thanks for sharing your thoughts on this.

Beyond TV has a plug in that allows realtime TV capture - DVD Burning and the way I see it is the closest function I could have to what I have in mind.
Does GB-PVR or any other similar and freeware program do this?

If that GeexBox had that fuction, it would be almost perfect...