I want to use my PC as a DVR?

Question

I want to use my Windows XP Media Center PC as a DVR, and then watch the DVRed content on my HDTV. I have:
- DirecTV for TV
- Comcast for internet (not sure if this or the above matter, but ya never know...)
- 2 PCI slots, 1 PCIe slot
- Lots of internal and external hard drive space
- Full specs: http://reviews.cnet.com/HP_Pavilion_Media_Center_A1640n_Core_2_Duo_1_86_GHz_2_GB_RAM_250_GB_HDD/4507-3118_7-32103840.html?tag=sub

I know I need a TV tuner (preferably a dual tuner) and some other equipment to do this. My PC and TV are not in the same room currently. Can I record in HD on my PC and use an Xbox 360, or another similar HD device, to stream content to my TV? Which tuners are best? What other hardware do I need? How should I set it all up? Thanks for any and all advice on this.

Answer 1

I use the Hauppauge WinTV PVR series & thet are flawless !

(dual tuner model)
http://hauppage.com/pages/products/data_pvr250.html

All you need to stream to your TV with Media Center is along enough S-Video cable & a video card with TV out.

I found this setup so easy & covnenient that my Media Center PC is now in the living room.
I can program 2 weeks ahead & as many TV shows or movies as I like with Media Center's free TV guide feature....it's just incredible how much it can do....you will be hooked !

I then use VideoReDo Plus to edit out the commercials & recode the DVR-MS files generarted by Media Center to MPEG so that Nero will recognize them & burn them onto DVD.

I also keep dozens of movies on the hard drive for easy access on my TV with the Hauppage Remote control....not to mention all my CD music is on the PC as well (over 10,000 songs accessible via Media Center on my bigscreen TV.

Don't compromise ... go with the Hauppage & you will not be disappointed.

regards,
Philip T