MrSniffles

Is there a program that i can use so i can record TV on my computer? I wanna use it like a Tivo, it would be cool if it had a timer or such so it recorded what i wanted and i dont have to baby bit it (Tivos not free ).

Also are the all in wonder ATI cards any good or should i get a capture card? I dont know a lot about this type of thing

Thanks

SpikeShot

Yes you can record TV like a Tivo up to one week in advance with the newer ATI All In Wonder Cards. I think these products are great b/c the software does not conflict with your graphics card, hense why I dont think geting a capture card is all that better. If you wana wait a little too, ATI is due out with a high def All In WOnder Card for the X/800 series, yes High DEf for your PC, how cool is that!

SO go ATI, the rest of us do!

GlitterKill

Yup, I recently did this myself and I love it! Get a Hauppage TV Card and then get this program: http://www.snapstream.com (Beyond TV3).

It downloads programs guides for your area and you simply browse through the menu and select which shows you want to record. You can select to record just one show, only new shows, or all shows. It records the show via mpeg2 in near dvd quality. Then it will automatically compress the large mpeg2 movies into WMV9 media using quality setting you set.

I love it!

__________________

SpikeShot

Thats cool Glitter Kill, you still think it better than an integrated TV tuner card from ATI All In Wonder series? And the LAN is starting, just a reminder!!!!!!

carbongraphite

from my experiences trying to do the PVR thing with a computer are that it will work but not as well as a true set top box. the computer is cheaper if you just add a card and drive but dont expect to be watching it on a tv unless you burn a disk everytime or have a projector, plasma, or big monitor/tv. a standalone unit is always on, more responsive than the computer, has a better interface that wont crash like ati's (so you would need snapstream) and is already on your tv and ready while you watch.
the PC can do alot more like screenshots and it kind of does what you expect. just not as well but you can choose the format it saves as.
the pc works if you just record shows while your away (but not on trips unless someone is home and can check for crashes (otherwise stuff likes to burst into flames when your not home) or if you like watching tv over your other windows instead of a normal seaperate tv.
otherwise a PVR is better if you really want to sit on the couch and pause, go back or whatever.
a tv tuner is great for any computer and can replace your vcr just dont expect to have it as a "media center pc" next to your tv unless you have a tv capable of PC resolutions. the component adapters only really function well when viewing DVDs.

__________________

jcarkeys

Dang GK, nice link. I'd love that, but I have an older (got it free, not complaining) Hauppage card without a dedicated TV decoder, meaning it eats up clock cycles and isn't as great of quality. Of course, I have crappy cable anyways, but.

And yes, to the original question, you can. Though, I don't. I just watch tv on it for the aforementioned reasons.