Record TV onto a HDD

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Peder

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Hi guys.

I'm being difficult today again. BUT i want to be able to get something that will be able to record tv (from dstv) onto a seperate box or something that will be under R2000 anyone got an idea?

I don't wanna buy a DVD recorder as they're DARN!! expensive!

Thanx allot
Regards
Peder
 
i find it very hard to use. thats my problem. i wanna just put it on and walk away not sit for 30mins before the time setting everything in
 
tivo?

i'd suggest a tv card - they're really easy and you have the most control.
 
i don't wanna go that way. i'm usually on my pc while something must record. that the thing i want a seperate box not my pc and my pc is a way away from the tv.
 
Windows Media Center or similar takes a bit of setting up, but once you're done, it's really very easy to use and give you MUCH more functionality than a DVD-recorder / PVR. You can even download the full electronic program guide to it which makes recording a program or series really easy. It will even change the channel on your decoder if it needs to record something on a different channel.

However, if you don't wanna go that route, get a PVR. Get one second-hand if you want to spend as little as possible.
 
peder said:
looks like i'll have to go that way just gotta get media centre edition somewhere.

I found something that might work tell me what you think? http://www.thegadgetshop.co.za/products.php?prod_sec_id=354

Its quite a nice little machine from what i can see. I'll just add my own HDD.
Click to expand...

I guess it would do the job, but I don't think you will be able to load any EPG on it which means that every recording must be scheduled VCR style (date/time start, date/time stop) instead of just selecting the program and hitting the record button.

Considering the price of this gadget, a TV capture card is much cheaper. If you do buy one make sure that the capturing and encoding is done in hardware (you can't go wrong with hauppage, R770-00, http://www.pricecheck.co.za/offers/6642/Hauppauge+WinTV-PVR+150+MCE/ )

Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate edition already includes Media Center or you'll need XP MCE 2005 edition (this is what I use). I've used MCE for about two years now and I'm very happy with it.
 
peder said:
thanx allot. Now just to get a pc i can put next to my TV.

You helped put it into perspective.

Thanx
Click to expand...

Why not get a Xbox360 ? With this you can extend the Media Center functionality and interface from you PC via LAN cable (or WiFi but I won't recommend this). You can get one from about R1700, which is cheaper than another PC and the wife acceptance factor is higher than a PC in the living room.

BTW. I looked a bit more at that gadget and I also don't think it will automatically change the channel on the decoder which means you'll have to schedule an autotune for each program (and hope the power doesn't fail). MCE has an infrared transmitter that sends the signal to the decoder to change channels just before it starts to record.
 
so i'll be able to record how? on the xbox? or on the pc? does there not need to be a pc near the xbox/tv to make it record?

That would actually be wicked!
 
peder said:
so i'll be able to record how? on the xbox? or on the pc? does there not need to be a pc near the xbox/tv to make it record?

That would actually be wicked!
Click to expand...

The TV Capture card goes into the PC that runs Windows Media Center http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_media_center

The Xbox connects to the PC with LAN and act as a Media Center Extender http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Windows_Media_Center_Extender

So, the content is recorded on the PC, but you can also control everything from the Xbox. You get a remote for the Xbox which makes controlling the media center easy http://www.xbox.com/en-GB/hardware/x/xbox360universalremote/

Of course you also have to consider how you will connect the DSTV Decoder output to the PC (RF or RCA) and the Infrared Emitter from the PC to the Decoder.
 
thanx allot mier. i will look around for it. We'll get a PVR first and then work from there. Just gotta teach mom how to use the Xbox.
 
You can build a cheap PC box and install MythTV on there, set it up and it will record all your shows automatically, just be sure to use compatible hardware.

Problem is that you have to manually load the XMLTV guide since SA is not supported.
 
oh ok but i'll see thanx allot its nice to know what options i have and i'd rather store tv programs on pc than on a DVD. And its easier to watch from another pc.
 
Do you have DSTV? Why not get a pvr decoder, they go for less than R2k, standard not HD?
 
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