Your PC can also be used as your very own DVR. You simply need to install a few necessary components and you’re all set.
First of all, you don’t need a supercomputer for the job. If you have a modern PC that at the very least uses Windows XP, you’re good to go.
For XP machines and Macs, you’ll need a minimum RAM of 512 megabytes. For Windows 7 (and Vista machines for that matter), 2 gigs should be the minimum.
Since you’re recording TV shows, you’ll also need ample storage space. TV shows can occupy as much as 500 megabytes per program, and you’ll need more for HD shows. If your hard disk space is getting a bit cramped, you may want to get an external hard drive with a terabyte or two of storage space.
Then you’ll need a television tuner card. There’s one for every type of TV, from standard to high-def. There are even some for analog TVs, which I’m told still exist in the US. Just make sure that the output connection of the card is compatible with the input sockets on your TV.
There are some TV tuner cards which only work with over-the-air signals, but that’s fine really if you no longer have cable. But you should still consider a card that’s also compatible with cable, since you never know when you’ll change your mind and get a subscription again.
Get the ones which can be connected via a USB port, since the ones which need to be installed in your computer takes more effort. Most tuner cards also include the software you need so that’s one less thing to worry about.
Installing and configuring the PC can take a bit of time and effort, not to mention some know how. If you don’t want to be bothered with this, you can just do some online research and find a DVR that doesn’t charge any subscription. The Moxi HD DVR is one example, but be ready to pay $800 or so. But if the point is to save money by enjoying
DVR without subscription, then the PC is definitely the way to go.