We describe how to convert an old PC into a DVR to all store your preferred TV programs. If you are subscribed to any electronic TV box, you will get a DVR (digital video recorder), which allows you to store many time of TV, find reveals to watch, routine recordings (single programs or the whole series), and stop and rewind live TV.
But if you are not interested in signing up for a long agreement, and do not elegant forking out several hundred quid for a separate DVR, itâs very easy to make your own out of an old PC. Here is everything you need to know to get began.
Step 1 : Choose the right hardware
The first thing you’ll will need is a reasonably highly powerful old PC, either a pc or a laptop. Keep in mind that if itâs too old or too slow, it may try to record TV shows without stutters or breaks. As a lowest amount, you should have a 1GHz processer and 512MB of memory, though a 2GHz processer and 2GB of memory would be better.
Itâs worth considering a couple of affordable upgrades, such as including more memory and a larger larger drive. The bigger your difficult drive generate, the more programs you will be able to store on it.
The size of the shows you record will differ based on how they are captured, but a one-hour program will generally use up around 2GB of hard drive space, so a 250GB generate should be adequate for your watching needs.
You could consider setting up a Solid-State Drive (SSD), such as those from SanDisk because they are a lot less noisy than mechanical hard disks. However, they also have a smaller lifetime and cost a lot more. If you plan to keep recorded shows, you should make sure your pc has a DVD writer installed, so you can burns that programs to disc, as well as watch frequent DVDs.
To get a TV signal onto your computer, you will need a TV tuner. These come by means of a card, which you set up inside your PC, or an adaptor that connects into a extra USB slot. Suggested producers of TV the tuners consist of Hauppauge and Terratec. If youâre on a tight budget, Aug Worldwide (www.augustint.com) has a choice of USB TV the tuners with costs beginning from £16.50 that you can choose up on Amazon. Preferably, you will want a system with double electronic the tuners so you can history one TV route while viewing another. Some the tuners come with their own aerial, but that hardly ever gets a good image. Itâs far better to get one that you can get connected to a roof-mounted TV aerial.
Many TV tuners only display the incoming signal on the device they are connected to, such as your PC or laptop. If you want to view the live stream or play recorded shows on your TV, youâll need a video card with a compatible video-out socket (HDMI or DVI), and a cable that will connect it to your TV.
Youâll also need a remote control. There are several compatible devices available and youâll find plenty on Amazon and eBay. The remote should come with an USB infra-red receiver, but if it doesnât, you can pick one up separately.
Finally, if your old PC is in a large beige tower, you may want to buy a new case so it blends in better with your TV and other home-entertainment equipment.
Step 2 : Which software to use
Windows Media Center, which is included as standard in the Home Premium, Professional and Ultimate editions of Windows 7, can be launched via the Start menu. Itâs a decent piece of software for your DVR. See our Mini Workshop (below) to set it up.
If youâd prefer a dedicated alternative, weâd recommend Linux-based Mythbuntu. To set this up, download the ISO file from the website and burn it to CD or DVD using a program such as InfraRecorder.
Boot from the disc for the option to either run or install it. If your computer is going to be used exclusively as a digital recorder, select the second option and make sure you tick the setting to âDownload updates while installingâ. Mythbuntu cleverly lets you use an iPhone or Android device as a remote control. Youâll need to scan the QR code that appears during set-up to download the required app.
Step 3 : Configure Windows Media Center
If youâre using Windows Media Center, youâll need to configure some of the settings. Assuming youâll be using your old PC exclusively as a dedicated digital TV recorder and media centre, youâll want to have the software always run in full screen, which you can do by switching to Media Only Mode. This also hides the Minimize, Maximize and Close buttons in the top right-hand corner. Select Tasks, scroll to the right and select Media Only. Youâll be asked to confirm you want to do this. To revert to the standard mode, simply reverse the process.
Thereâs also a wizard you can use to adjust how Media Center will look on your choice of display (TV, monitor or projector). Make sure the software is running in full-screen mode and go to Tasks, Settings, TV and select âConfigure Your TV or Monitorâ.
Click Next and confirm that you are viewing it on your preferred display. Step your way through the wizard, answering questions such as the type of cable that connects the tuner to your TV and the width of your screen. It will adjust everything accordingly.
KEEPING THINGS QUIET
If your old PC is a little noisy and itâs hard to hear recorded programmes, you could try one or all of the following: replace the fans, switch to a Solid- State Drive, buy a nearly-noiseless power supply and change the computerâs outer case. Alternatively, you could pick up a DIY soundproofing kit from Quiet PC to limit the noise.
I hope that this article will help you to record a tv show using your PC.
