Building Your Own Digital Video Recorder
Keywords: tivo, dvr, vhs, vcr, dvd, tv, television, cable, divx
DVR is a great idea. It let’s you record TV shows like a VCR, but instead of VHS tapes, it stores video onto a hard drive. These units run about $300. You get something like 30 hours of recording and you can selectively record the TV shows you want to watch. The DVR unit is basically a specialized computer.
I figured with all the stuff out today for home computers, I could build these functions on my home computer and not have pay a monthly subscription fee or spend $300. Here is a list of things I did to get this project to work. I know many of you probably could figure this stuff out on your own. I just wanted to share what worked for me.
Here’s what I started with.
* Pentium III, 733mhz on Apollo Pro Motherboard with 512meg 133mhz sdram.
* Sony 8x CDRW, 80gig Western Digital Hard Drive, 32meg ATI Rage Pro video.
* Windows 2000 Professional
By today’s standards, this is an antique computer. I’ve had this computer for about 5 years, but hey it still works. You could buy a system about ten times as fast as this one for like $500 now. Amazing.
Here’s all you need to turn your computer into a DVR.
ATI TV Wonder VE. $39 with $10 mail in rebate.
I just installed the card and loaded the software. The card plugs into an open pci slot in your computer. One screw and you’re done. It’s that simple. I have basic cable and plugged the cable into the back of the card. I don’t think digital cable works, since the ATI tuner takes analog signals.
It comes with GUIDE+, which downloads all the TV listings in your area. You can then sort the listings by show name, channel, and times.
The software GUIDE+ is great. I love just typing in the first few letters of my favorite program and GUIDE+ lists all the times and channels that show is showing. You can also search by actor, subject, or channel. Type in “Raymond” and one of my favorite shows “Everybody Loves Raymond” is displayed with every channel, show time and a short synopsis of the episode.
I click on simple record icon next to each episode I want to record. Highlighting the show gives you an episode synopsis and who’s starring in it. Really COOL!
The shows get recorded to your hard drive and listed in a library folder. Each day after work or a long vacation, I just click on “Library” and it shows me all the shows it recorded while I was away.
Now I can either watch these on my computer or copy them to cd and play it on my DVD player! The record quality is a little better than VHS. Remember those?
Technically the shows are recorded at 480×240. When you copy this to a CDRW, it plays on your on your TV from the DVD player like any other movie you’d rent from the video store! Believe it or not, the quality is clearly better than VHS.
There are even higher quality settings, but you’ll get few hours of record time and given the quality of standard TV, just a waste of hard disk space. I tried it just to see and found the quality really didn’t improve that much. A 30-minute program takes about 650 Meg at a standard setting. The higher quality settings use about 1.7gig for 30 minutes.
So that’s it! For around $40, I built a DVR equivalent. I burn my favorite shows to CDR, which cost about 10 cents each. I can now record the entire season of “Everybody Loves Raymond” and make my own season box sets! Applying simple math, 100 episodes will cost me about $10.
Robert Rogers is a writer in the Washington DC area. For more free tips and resources, visit his blog at
Previous Articles Highlighter:
Poor Performing Employees Severely Impact Productivity (1)
However, the most significant finding is the difference in employee productivity. It ranges from a 38% boost from a "poor" to "superior" performer in an unskilled position to a 98% boost from "poor" to "superior" in management positions.
Cruise Line Careers (2)
Another alternative is the Internet, which provides exclusive online services and simplifies your search and application process. It is not only a good resource of cruise jobs but also offers free information and tips on the related topic.
A Career As A Florist (3)
However, if you are really set on becoming a florist, all you need is the passion and hands-on experience. Many florists start off as apprentices in flower shops. After years of working in the industry, some move on to setting up their own shops.
Mortgage Broker Careers (4)
A mortgage broker offers loan products from various lenders to borrowers. He actually works with a number of lenders, and therefore has information about various mortgage options that are available, and is able to advise and help the borrower in securing a mortgage loan.
Careers In Finance (5)
One could work as an underwriter, customer service representative, actuary or an asset manager, in this sector. A career in finance can be pursued in a wide variety of fields.
Guide To Women's Snowboarding Goggles (6)
While shopping for women's snowboarding goggles ensure you cover the above points besides great looks and famous brand name and you will be able to enjoy your favorite sport comfortable this season.
Snowboarding Vacation: Not Your Everyday Getaway (7)
Try a snowboarding vacation package and see if you like it first. With the popularity of snowboarding today, chances are, you're going to love it. If you've snowboarded before and are ready to go on your snowboarding vacation but don't yet have the equipment, such as a snowboard and the proper clothing, try a ski and outdoor store.
Checklist For The Perfect Snowboarding Holiday (8)
The Right Resort So you have the gear ready but did you book your snowboarding holiday yet? In order to get great prices, packages and bargains you will need to book your snowboarding holiday in advance.
Getting Started With Article Marketing (9)
You can simply hire a professional writer to help you with your content. Tell them what you need, and they will be able to give it to you in no time at all.
Franchising May Be Your Alternative To Starting A Business From Scratch (10)
Fred: If you are considering buying a Franchise, we recommend you do some research, ask a lot of questions and talk to franchisees of the companies you are looking at.
Newer Articles Highlighter:
What To Expect At Home Appraisals (1)
You can find one of the better instant online appraisal companies at Online Home Appraisals. Robert Rogers is a writer in the Washington DC area. For more free tips and resources, visit his website at homeappraisel.com
Varieties Of Sudoku The Craze Just Got Crazier (2)
Killer sudokus still follow all the same rules of unique numbers. Irregular Sudoku: These puzzles do not have square mini-grids; they are irregular in shape but must still contain all the numbers 1 though 9.
Why Is Barbequing So Popular? (3)
A variety of meats and side dishes are used when barbequing. Traditionally, families cook pork, beef, and fish on their grills. When visiting your local grocery store, look for meats that are specifically cut and packaged for barbequing.
Work From Home - Data Entry Business (4)
If they are refunding the amount within a fixed deadline, it could be considered as a legitimate based on the trustworthiness and the popularity of the service. Search Engines like Google, Yahoo and MSN are the best way to protect yourself from data entry scammers.
Maybe You Could Use An International Business Loan By SBA (5)
Loans with variable rates may be pegged to either the SBA optional peg rate or the lowest prime rate. Maximum Loan Amount for International Trade Loan This international business loan program has a maximum gross amount of two million dollars and SBA guaranteed amount of $1.5 million for an IT loan that is the same as a regular 7(a) loan.
Some Tips For International Business Management (6)
Thunderbird, The Garvin School of International Management The Garvin School of International Management is the worlds first school of international management and the most experienced at producing successful international business leaders.
Minimize Indoor Pollution With Proper Air Filtration (7)
If natural ventilation and exhaust fans do not take care of the problem, you may need an air cleaner. You need to decide whether you have problems in a room or small space or if you have air quality problems throughout the house.
For Those Who Want More From Life, There Are The Distance Learning MBA Degree Courses (8)
Hence, if it so happens that for a year you cannot really give attention to the studies, you can defer the exams to the next year without any loss. When compared to the regular courses, the distance learning courses are in no way inferior.
Cultural Differences And International Business Communication (9)
The failure to identify and adapt to these differences through effective international business communication can mean the difference between a closed deal and a faceless failure. Assuming cultures affect the way people communicate with each other and language above all else, is the core of culture.
Do You Have An International Business Development Plan (10)
To recognize products with export potential needs careful consideration on products that are profitably distributed in the domestic market. It has to fill a target need for the customer in export markets according to market demand, value to customer or country, and to price.