how can i use my laptop to record a television episode for myself??

Answer 1

You need some kind of video-capture device.
With a full size PC, this is easily done via a TV or Video capture card.

You can get PCMCIA TV cards for laptops, however, expect to pay at least US$150 for anything of any quality.

You can get cheaper cards, but the main letdown of the cheaper cards, is the crappy software that comes with them, making using the cards quite difficult in some cases...

A more expensive card will have better capture quality, and also better control software.

Surf on over to Pinnacle Systems - they have been making capture devices for years, and I think they are quite good(although opinion seems to be split, depending on who you talk to...)

You can find Pinnacle here:

http://www.pinnaclesys.com

They sell lots of different packages - you should be able to find something there.

Don't be tempted to buy most USB2 based capture devices - I have tried lots of these, and they tend to be more trouble then they are worth...
:(

However, Pinnacle do make a very good USB-based capture device, complete with software for only US$70 or so...

Check it out here:

http://www.pinnaclesys.com/PublicSite/us/Products/Consumer+Products/PCTV+Tuners/PCTV+Analog+PVR+%28cable_antenna%29/PCTV+Pro+USB.htm

Hope that helps.