Using a PC as a Personal Video Recorder

[overcast]

I'm interested in using my PC to record and then play back TV programs through my TV.

I know I can get a PCI card to record the programmes.
What I wnat to know is does the same card then broadcast the programme or do I need another card to do this.

[Ausatco]

If your video card has Composite Video, SVideo or TV out sockets and your TV has matching inputs, then you can do it with a cable from your computer to your TV.

The TV out, if it's there, has to be the right system (PAL, SECAM, NTSC, etc) to match your TV. ie, you're in UK. If, on your travels, you bought a video card from US with NTSC TV out and your TV set at home is not NTSC (which it probably isn't because UK TV doesn't use the American NTSC system), then it won't work.

You may be able to buy an RF modulator - check with your favourite electronics hobby shop.

AA

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

overcast,

I use the Leadtek WinFast TV2000 XP Deluxe (http://www.leadtek.com/multimedia/winfast_tv2000xp_deluxe_1.html)

http://www.leadtek.com/multimedia/winfast_tv2000xp_deluxe_1.jpg

http://www.leadtek.com/multimedia/winfast_tv2000xp_deluxe_2s.jpg

It works very well for a $42.00 card. The supplied software does a good job and if you want something with more features, Cyberlink's Power VCR II (http://www.gocyberlink.com/english/products/product_main.jsp?ProdId=20) is fully functional with the card.

Take Care,

Richard

[Ausatco]

It's official - I am an idiot!!

I said video card when I was talking about outputs - I should have included the very obvious TV card. Serves me right for posting in a hurry.

I use the same TV card as Richard with the same results.

AA

[Wing Commander Fowler]

If you happen to have a spare Domestic Video recorder spare (like I do) then you can of course use this tuner and link it up to the computer through an appropriate graphics card with the appropriate video IN inputs (ie composite or s-video etc). Some of the Nvidia GeForce cards fit the bill here as I'm sure will many others.....

[Naples Air Center, Inc.]

Wing Commander Fowler,

I have one better. I recently picked up a TiVo, which I promptly opened up and hacked. It runs on Linux, you can hack it and even put it on a network.

In the U.S. the Direct TV Dual Satellite Receivers with TiVo built in are under $100.00 now. It is a great deal. I hacked mine and extended the record time from 35 hours to 105 hours.

It is something that makes Tapes and VCRs look like something from the Middle Ages.

After playing with the TiVo, I hardly use the TV Card in my Comp anymore.

Take Care,

Richard

P.S. Ausatco, been there, done that more times than I would like to count.;)