how do i record tv shows with media center? do i need a DVR?

Answer 1

you need a tv capture card

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/mediacenter/using/setup/settop.mspx

you don't need a dvr, although a cool feature is using a a media extender set top box or xbox 360 with your media center pc, amzing i tell you.

Answer 2

You need a TV tuner card in your computer. Look here for a list of ones you might purchase on newegg.com:
http://www.newegg.com/ProductSort/SubCategory.asp?SubCategory=47&name=Video-Devices-TV-Tuners

You'll need to decide if you want an HD tuner, digital or standard ntsc tuner. Most tuners come with software that will help you with the process of recording the shows, though, I think Microsoft media center edition has some of that built in.

Answer 3

in case you have already have been given a television tuner on your workstation that accepts outdoors enter. Then i'm arranged to wager which you have the appliance that helps you to record any variety of video from that outdoors enter onto your now no longer easypersistent already available on your workstation. interior the experience that your television tuner is new adequate to settle for the digital indicators then you definately could desire to desire to in fact be waiting to do it indoors the approach the television antenna or indoors the approach the cable connection. no bear in mind if it somewhat is in fact too previous to settle for digital, then you definately'll could desire to get a converter or purchase a clean television tuner that does artwork with the present day broadcast indicators. As for watching it stay, there are somewhat some places like "tvchannelsfree" that attempt this and that they do have MTV and VH1. on a similar time as you would be recording any of those, i think of of you will need an abobe flash recorder like "Orbit Downloader" it somewhat is freeware so which you do now no longer could desire to rigidity approximately paying even however there shareware and others you will pay for. regardless of the undeniable fact that to be easy i for my section want going to "ovguide" utilising fact it somewhat a lot has each and each and all the television shows and video clips indoors of trouble-free come across by skill of utilising a glance for container or link on the cyber information superhighway information superhighway internet site.

Answer 4

yes you need a DVR
I have tried every thing but it is just not possible