Skip to content

5000+ Great Articles

Best Articles & Essays: Interesting Articles to Read Online

  • WWDC 2020 – How to Organize Siri Shortcuts in Folders? How-To
  • Windows 10 Checking for Updates Taking Forever? Windows 10
  • WWDC 2020 – How To Take Mirrored Selfies on iPhone? How-To
  • How to Completely Delete Personal Metadata from Microsoft Office Documents MS Office Tips
  • How to Check the Performance of Your PC and Speed It Up How-To
  • if you trim a video on iphone does it keep the original iPhone
  • Best tibaii plus financial calculator 2020

    Best tibaii plus financial calculator 2020. 1 - QUSURE Calculator for Texas Instruments BA II Plus Financial Calculator,Financial & Business A

  • 7 Best Programs to Immediately Install on Your New Computer Tools Review

How To Turn Your Computer Into a DVR

Posted on October 7, 2020 By blog_786 No Comments on How To Turn Your Computer Into a DVR

Long gone are the days of using videotapes to record your favorite TV programs (the kids of the 80s know what I’m talking about). Now you can buy a device that will perform the same task with just a few clicks on your remote. However, even in today’s digital climate, there are complications associated with such convenience.

The main problems that can arise with a digital video recorder (DVR) is that you cannot use all the features that come with the device. This, in addition to the additional costs associated with your monthly ISP bill, can scare people off completely. So why not just create your own?

How To Turn Your Computer Into a DVR

Building your own DVR is not as difficult as you might think. With multiple sets of hardware out-of-the-box, you can opt out of the monthly maintenance fees that usually come with this feature.

Not only that, but since you will be doing it yourself, you will have the opportunity to modify the technology when you feel the need to do so. This includes expanding the storage base by upgrading hard drives and tweaking the user interface for better navigation.

A DVR is essentially just a hard drive with interoperability with a TV and some accompanying software to help you take control. So, stop paying for a monthly feature when you can put your old desktop to good use instead.

How To Turn Your Computer Into a DVR

How to turn a computer into a DVR

To create the foundation for your new dash cam, you’ll want to dust off your old computer or buy a refurbished one that can be obtained cheaply. If you have any plans to expand in the future or install newer components, a PC is your choice.

– /

You can use a laptop, but it will be difficult to upgrade as most are very limited in the expansion department. Macs are not a bad choice either, but PCs usually have a lot more options available.

It doesn’t take much power to record standard definition (SD) video. Recording and viewing high definition (HD) or Blu-ray videos is a different matter entirely. The higher the resolution, the more power will be required.

There are a few specific parts you should pay attention to when setting up your DVR.

  • Processor. If you have a processor that can handle the latest operating systems, it won’t work. you need something special. The encoding for the DVR will be done by the video capture card, which takes the heavy load off the shoulders of the processor.
  • Hard disk. Recording a single movie, especially in HD, usually costs a gigabyte or more of hard drive space. These things can accumulate quickly, so you need to have enough room for your DVR to operate. Hard drives have gotten pretty cheap over the years, so buying a new one shouldn’t set your wallet on fire. However, if you are stuck with money, you can always expand the system later when the initial hard drive is full.
  • Graphics / Video Card – This will be the more expensive part of setting up your DVR. You will need a card that is powerful enough to handle the video signal sent to your TV. HD and Blu-ray will require decent graphics cards. Don’t be afraid to spend money on this component as it has to do with what your eyes will look at when it comes to the quality of the video you are watching.
  • Memory – 2GB of random access memory (RAM) will keep your SD DVR smoother. However, the upgrade to 4GB + will make sure any HD issues go away pretty quickly. Bigger is always better, and RAM is generally pretty inexpensive these days.
  • Power supply. The more powerful the components you selected above, the more energy they will need to operate. Search the Internet for a Power Supply Unit (PSU) calculator to determine how much power your DVR will need.

Video Capture Cards

How To Turn Your Computer Into a DVR

Unlike most modern TVs, the video capture card has its own tuner for receiving TV signals. Higher-end capture cards will have built-in processors capable of handling all signal encodings. This will take the load off the computer’s main processor, so purchase one.

When examining the features of your video capture card, it is important to find a card that is capable of receiving MPEG-2 transport stream in both DBV and ATSC. These cards are sometimes referred to as digital hardware cards and are the best version of video capture cards since most television is broadcast digital rather than analog.

Most video capture cards are Peripheral Component Connectivity (PCI) or PCI-Express cards and can be inserted into slots on your computer’s motherboard. There are also video capture devices that can take up a USB 2.0 slot if you prefer that route.

DVR Software

How To Turn Your Computer Into a DVR

There are many options when it comes to the software required to run a DVR. Some of these options are even free. Your chosen video capture card may even come with its own DVR software, which you can use or not. If you like software, it can save you time and money looking for additional programs.

The available software options depend on the operating system you choose. Linux has MythTV (free option) or SageTV SageTV can also be used for Windows, which is useful if you have chosen to dual boot two operating systems.

Windows also has access to GB-PVR (free) and BeyondTV Mac users will find Elgato’s EyeTV or Miglia’s EvolutionTV the best value for their money. Then there is NextPVR, which works on all three.

This is another personal choice as the user interface and settings are all that differ between apps. Some will need an Internet connection to send programming information to your DVR, while others may use a web browser.

How To Turn Your Computer Into a DVR

Enjoy the fruits of your work

After connecting all internal components and installing the software, connect the newly assembled DVR to the TV.

  1. First connect a cable or satellite connection to the input of the video capture card.
  2. Then connect the video card of the DVR computer to the TV. An HDMI connection is required to view HD.
  3. Connect the audio output of your computer to the inputs of your TV or home theater.
  4. Complete the process by connecting your computer to the Internet and turning everything on. Allow download of the program list and you’ll be ready to watch and record TV shows with your own DVR without a contract.

–

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
How-To

Post navigation

Previous Post: How To Dual Boot Linux Mint and Windows
Next Post: How To Boot Someone Off Your Wifi Network If You Catch Them Hijacking Your Internet

Related Posts

  • Access Windows Shared Folder From Android Over Wi-Fi How-To
  • Six Copyscape Alternatives That you can use How-To
  • How to Move Apps to SD Card on Android Phone How-To
  • Move a Window with the Keyboard in Windows 7/8/10 How-To
  • How to Set a Password for any External Hard Drive How-To
  • How to Send Self-Destructing Messages on Slack How-To

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Archives

  • October 2023
  • September 2023
  • August 2023
  • July 2023
  • June 2023
  • May 2023
  • April 2023
  • November 2022
  • September 2022
  • August 2022
  • July 2022
  • June 2022
  • May 2022
  • April 2022
  • March 2022
  • February 2022
  • January 2022
  • December 2021
  • November 2021
  • October 2021
  • September 2021
  • August 2021
  • March 2021
  • October 2020
  • September 2020
  • August 2020
  • July 2020
  • June 2020
  • May 2020
  • April 2020
  • March 2020
  • December 2019
  • July 2019
  • May 2019
  • April 2019
  • January 2019
  • December 2018
  • November 2018
  • October 2018
  • September 2018
  • August 2018

Categories

  • AI Tools & Guides
  • Amazon Web Services
  • Apple Watch
  • Computer Tips
  • Cool Websites
  • Featured Posts
  • Free Software Downloads
  • Gadgets
  • Gaming
  • General Software
  • Google Software/Tips
  • Hardware
  • Help Desk
  • How-To
  • iOS
  • iPad
  • iPhone
  • islamic Books
  • Linux
  • Linux Tips
  • Mac OS X
  • macOS
  • MS Office Tips
  • Networking
  • Office Tips
  • OS X
  • Product Reviews
  • Reviews
  • Safari
  • Smart Home
  • Smartphones
  • Software Reviews
  • technology
  • text
  • Tools Review
  • Troubleshooting
  • Tutorials
  • Uncategorized
  • Urdu Books PDF
  • Web Site Tips
  • Windows
  • Windows 10
  • Windows 7
  • Windows XP Tips
  • Wordpress
  • Buying Bitcoin in India? Top 4 Indian Bitcoin Exchange Compared
  • TemplateMonster WordPress Theme Review – Build a Site With Ease
  • 6 Best FTP Clients For Android
  • MailTag: Real-time Email Tracking, Made Easy
  • Here are the Top 10 highest paid YouTubers of 2017
DMCA.com Protection Status

Recent Posts

  • 3 Sites like YouTube to Earn Money With Your Videos
  • Buying Bitcoin in India? Top 4 Indian Bitcoin Exchange Compared
  • TemplateMonster WordPress Theme Review – Build a Site With Ease
  • How to use Canva Docs to create documents online
  • PS4 won’t turn on but beeps? 9 Fixes Worth Trying

Recent Comments

  1. How to Cancel Your Wall Street Journal (WSJ) Subscription on How to Cancel Your New York Times Subscription
  2. How to Fix Spotify Lyrics Not Showing Up on How to Delete or Delete Downloads from Spotify
  3. 6 Best FTP Clients For Android on Disney Plus not working on Fire TV? Try These 8 Fixes
  4. Protect Your Facebook Account From Hackers (2017) on Top 5 Facebook Alternative Apps For iOS Devices
  5. 4 Ways to Share WiFi Without Giving Away Your Password on How to fix if PS5 Not Connecting to Internet?
  • How to Build a Smart Kitchen Smart Home
  • Everything You Need To Know About UPI (Unified Payment Interface) How-To
  • 4 best 4chan apps for Android and iOS 2023 How-To
  • HDG Explains : What Is RFID & What Can It Be Used For? Networking
  • How to Transfer WhatsApp Chat History from iPhone to Android iPhone
  • What Is Runtime Broker in Windows 10 (and Is It Safe) Windows 10
  • Best hp 10bii plus financial calculator 2020

    Best hp 10bii plus financial calculator 2020. 1 - Protective Case for Hewlett Packard HP 10BII Plus Top Reviews I ordered

  • How to Transfer Windows 10 License to New Computer, Hard Drive, or SSD How-To

Copyright © 2023 How To Blog.

Powered by PressBook News WordPress theme

Go to mobile version