How to Build Your Own Tivo

Do you want to record live programming but you don’t want to spend hundreds of dollars on a TiVo or other DVR system? By following these instructions, you can make your own functional DVR.

Steps

1. Get a computer with all the bits and pieces. Any kind of computer will do, just make sure you don’t mind pulling it apart.
2. Get a large hard drive for storing larger files. Video files are very large so if you really want to store a lot of video, buy a hard drive with a capacity over 100 GB.
3. Get a TV Tuner card, preferably one that can also do TV output so you can hook it up to your TV.
4. Get an operating system. You can use plain old Windows, Windows Media Center, or even a Linux distribution.
5. Hook everything up and if need be install the OS of your choice.
6. Hook it up to the TV and enjoy your cheaper TiVo!

Tips

• You don’t necessarily need a large hard drive as they can get expensive. It will help though if you don’t have a any other way to copy the recordings.
• Get a TV Tuner with a remote, that way it will be easier to record and watch what you recorded.
• Some video cards can do TV out but usually that means that the audio out is the line out jack.
• A DVD burner will be a great addition with some good burning software.
• A cable splitter will allow you to watch TV on you TV and still be going to your “TiVo” at the same time. It will allow you to record at a moments notice, and then you can also watch TV while recording.
• If you want to record HD programming, you may find it necessary to buy a lot more storage.
• Unfortunately, this will not work with a Mac OS.

Warnings

• Check the compatibility of your tuner card.

Things You’ll Need

• Hard drive (100 gb or more recommended)
• Cheap computer
• TV tuner card
• OS software

Article Source: TakeArticles.com - How to Build Your Own Tivo

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