Digital Video Recorders (DVRs) have become household items and are typically packaged with your home cable service. However, some cable companies still charge a monthly fee for DVR service and almost all cable companies insist that you purchase your DVR model directly from them. These DVRs are often over priced and under-perform when compared to custom built DVRs. The primary benefits to building your own DVR are that you can build a system with far more space much more cheaply, the system is accessible by other computers in your home and elsewhere, and it does more.
Materials
The materials for a custom built DVR can vary greatly. Listed here are the bare essential materials and a few pieces of recommended software. Keep in mind that the software and equipment can be substituted to meet your needs.
First, you need a Windows machine with no less than 256 MB of RAM, 500 GB of hard drive space or more, and a medium- to top-notch video card with S-Video out and RCA in or an RCA to S-Video converter. You will need a TV and a receiver which you probably already have set up. You need a TV card, like a Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1600, BeyondTV or equivalent PC DVR software, some DVD playing software like WinDVD, mp3 playing software like iTunes, and remote PC access software like VNC so that you can access your DVR and schedule recordings from anywhere. As an option, you can install emulator software and roms and get a PSX/N64 to USB converter for joy-pads so that your DVR can also function as several different types of gaming consoles at the same time. You will also need Girder automation software.
Build It
You can use any Windows PC to construct your DVR provided it contains the TV tuner and meets the system requirements for all of the software. First, convert or build the actual computer. Connect the TV to the computer using and S-Video cable or an RCA to S-Video adapter. Connect the line out from the PC's sound-card to your receiver. Make sure the computer displays on the screen and the sound passes through your stereo.
Install the Win-TV card and whatever PC DVR software you will be using, like BeyondTV, SageTV, or MythTV. You may want to get a card bundled with the software you choose because they will often come with native remotes. Now install the DVD, audio, virtual PC and game emulation software you will be using along with the PSX/N64 adapter. Finally, install Girder for Windows. Girder will allow you to automate certain processes so that you cans schedule recording on your new homemade DVR. Turn it all on and enjoy.
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