Buzz
While it's easy to head over to a Best Buy, like the one in Mountain View, Calif., and purchase a TiVo, is it possible to build a DVR on your own for a lower price?
AP Photo/Paul SakumaThe digital video recorder (DVR) is an incredible piece of modern technology. The VCR freed us from the strict schedules of TV programming, but the DVR takes it a step further, freeing us from having to deal with the complexities of programming VCRs and figuring out what's hidden among all those unmarked tapes.
However, DVRs come with two significant drawbacks – you must pay for the privilege of using one, and you're limited to the features that the DVR you buy offers. If you're looking to add more storage space to save extra recordings, or want to customize the user interface, you're pretty much stuck with what you're given.
By building your own DVR, you eliminate both of these issues. You won’t need to purchase expensive hardware or sign up for a satellite or cable company contract, and there are no service fees. Plus, you can modify and upgrade your DVR however you like. Surprisingly, creating a DVR isn't difficult – you can put one together using readily available technology. Essentially, a DVR is just a hard drive connected to your TV signal with some software to control it. If you have an old desktop computer lying around, you're almost there.
This guide will walk you through the process of building your own DVR. You don’t need extensive technical skills, and by the end, you'll have a customizable and expandable DVR that won’t increase your monthly cable costs.
Setting Up Your DVR
For your new DVR, you'll need a fast, reliable hard drive. The larger the drive you get, the more programs you'll be able to store.
Howard Kingsnorth/Photodisc/Getty ImagesThe core component of a DIY DVR is a computer. While technically any computer could work for this, you'll be adding new internal parts like a fresh hard drive, so a desktop is generally a better choice than a laptop. A Mac can also be used, but you'll find that a PC offers more flexibility and options.
How powerful does your computer need to be? It depends on the use case for your DVR. If you're just recording standard definition TV shows and movies, you don’t need a particularly strong machine. However, if you're recording and playing back high-definition (HD) content or plan to watch Blu-ray discs, you'll need a computer with more processing power. Here are five key aspects to keep in mind when setting up or purchasing a computer for your DVR:
Processor - You don’t need a high-end quad-core processor to run a basic DVR. In fact, older, slower processors will be sufficient for standard DVR tasks, especially since video encoding will be handled by a separate component (like a TV capture card). The key point is that the processor should be powerful enough to run a modern operating system. If you’re still running Windows 95 or earlier, you might face compatibility issues with newer software.
Hard Drive - You’ll quickly notice how much storage space is consumed by recorded content. A single HD movie can take up several gigabytes of space. Hard drive prices have dropped in recent years, so if you're repurposing an old computer, it’s a good idea to replace the old drive with a larger one. Remember, the more storage, the better, so choose the largest drive you can afford. Opt for a fast drive to prevent video quality issues. And, if needed, you can always expand later with an additional drive.
Video Card - A powerful video card is essential for processing the video signal and transmitting it to your TV. For HD and Blu-ray content, the video card needs to be even more powerful. This component is crucial to the quality of what you see on your screen, so if you’re going to invest more in one part of your build, make it the video card. With many options available, check online audio/visual forums for advice on which card is best for your needs.
Memory - At least two gigabytes of RAM will keep your DVR running smoothly, though upgrading to four gigabytes can provide even better performance (especially if you’re working with HD content). Memory is affordable these days, and more RAM is almost always beneficial.
Power Supply - A powerful video card and an additional hard drive can demand a lot of power, so you’ll need a power supply that can handle it. To estimate how much power you'll need, try using an online power supply calculator, like the one offered by Journey Systems.
Next, we’ll pick and set up a TV capture card.
TV Capture Cards
A standard computer doesn’t come with a video input capable of accepting signals from an antenna or cable/satellite box. To remedy this, you’ll need a TV capture card, which has its own tuner to receive TV signals. The better capture cards come with onboard processors that handle the task of encoding the signal into a digital format for storage. This type of capture card takes the load off your computer’s main processor, meaning you can avoid using a high-powered processor altogether.
An important feature to look for in a video capture card is the ability to handle MPEG-2 transport streams in both DBV and ATSC formats, also known as digital hardware cards. This term refers to the way TV shows are transmitted through digital broadcasting networks. Since the United States and many other nations are moving to all-digital broadcasting, it's wise to avoid older capture cards that only support analog signals. Many modern cards can handle both analog and digital signals.
A standard capture card allows you to record two programs at once while watching a third. If you want to record even more shows at the same time, you'll need to install an extra capture card. Just make sure your power supply can handle the additional demand.
Installing a video capture card is simple. Most cards are PCI or PCI-Express types, fitting into the motherboard slots of your computer. Once you've opened the computer case, simply insert the card firmly into the appropriate slot and secure it with a screw. Additionally, there are external video capture devices that are even easier to install, as they simply plug into any available USB 2.0 port.
Next, we'll take a look at which software options you can use to watch and record TV programs.
Desktop computers are often bulky and noisy, making them less than ideal for living room setups. However, there are various form factors available, some designed to integrate seamlessly into home theaters. These options may be more expensive and could make upgrades, such as adding a new hard drive, more difficult. Fortunately, low-noise fans are available. Why is this important? Your DVR computer will need to stay on most of the time to record shows while you're away or asleep.
DVR Software
There are numerous DVR software options available, with some even being free of charge. Certain video capture cards also come bundled with free DVR software, so if the program that came with your card suits your needs, there's no need to purchase additional software.
The choice of software will depend on personal preference and the operating system running on your DVR computer. For Linux users, Freevo and MythTV are free options, while SageTV is a commercial one, requiring payment. SageTV is particularly popular, not only for Linux, but also for Windows, alongside GB-PVR (free) and BeyondTV (commercial). Mac users can explore options like Elgato's EyeTV or Miglia's EvolutionTV (both commercial).
The key differences between these programs lie in their user interfaces and customization options. Some programs utilize a dedicated server to provide programming information to your DVR computer (which must be connected to the Internet), while others rely on a Web browser to access program data. Features such as online services, weather reports, and the ability to convert video files into portable formats may also be available.
Another interesting choice is to use Microsoft Windows Media Center to run your DVR. You can even connect a computer running Windows Media Center to an Xbox 360 via Windows Media Extender. This allows you to control the on-screen functions using the Xbox, solving the remote control issue (which we’ll discuss later). A special Media Center remote can be purchased for use with the Xbox, or newer universal remotes can be programmed to work just as effectively. It's even possible to place your DVR computer in another room, as long as both the computer and Xbox are connected to the same home network.
Once all the internal components are properly connected and the software has been installed, the next step is to link your DVR computer to your TV. Start by connecting your cable or satellite cable to the input of the video capture card.
The next step is to link the DVR computer’s video card to your TV. If you're aiming to watch in HD, it's best to use an HDMI connection, although other options like component, S-Video, or VGA might work depending on your specific setup.
For audio, you will need to connect your computer's audio output to the input of your home theater system, or directly to your TV if you don’t have a home theater system.
Finally, connect your computer to the Internet, power everything on, and wait for the program list to load. Once that's done, you'll be all set to watch and record TV shows using your homemade DVR.
For further details on DVRs and related topics, make sure to move on to the next page.
Using a mouse and keyboard every time you watch TV isn't ideal, so how can you control your DVR system? Some video capture cards include a remote and sensor, with the sensor connecting through a USB port. A wireless mouse and keyboard sensor could potentially be adapted for this use as well. Alternatively, a programmable universal remote can be used, but be cautious, as not all universal remotes are compatible with DVR systems.
