Recording TV

[Remove]

I just got my media pc built with a tv tuner card and 2-200 gig, 2-120 gig and 2-80 gig hdds. I can watch tv now but I want to record some of my favorite shows.

What I need to know is what is some good software for recording tv. I have heard there are many free programs. If those work well I would love them as the price is perfect!

I have done some research but there is a lot of stuff out there to wade through so I'm asking for what people actually use and like.

 

[Arkaine23]

There's a knoppix CD that's built with the program MythTV, which is like a tivo I suppose. It works with only certain Tv cards, and it has to be installed to work, but its free and mostly pre-configured.

Or with any Linux distro and the patience to set it up, there's MythTV or Freevo, both do about the same thing I think, but I have tried neither.

Odds are you are looking for a Windows solution, and if so, odds are you will need to spend at least $50 for the software.

 

[Bobby]

www.snapstream.com

They have a free 21 day trial. It used to be called Personal Video Station but with the new update to 3.4, they're calling it Beyond TV. More features and it was a free upgrade. No monthly charges for the tv guide and it downloads about 2 weeks worth of content.

When you download the full installer (48mb but the link says 28mb) you install and use. When/If you want to buy it, just pay the download price and they send you a key to unlock the trial to full version. The trial doesn't block any features so it's a full product you can try out for 21 days.

-Bobby

 

[DaWiper]

I use Virtual Dub's capture function with my pinnacle pctv. Let's me record 640x480-'on the fly'-divx(5.05)..... Manages to keep the sound in sync with the picture too. In case of framedrop.

 

[Remove]

Should have put in I use XP Pro and have an Aver Tv Tuner card.

I will try some of those.

Any more?

 

[Bobby]

I tried VirtualDub and it's ok.

You can check out www.tv-cards.com for more info.

http://www.tv-cards.com/apps.php is the page where they link you to a bunch of free and shareware apps for tv cards.

-Bobby

 

[Remove]

Nice find Bobby!

 

[Bobby]

Thx

I went thru looking for the right tv card and app a couple of months ago. I ended up trying out 4 cards and every app on that page. I ended up with a Hauppauge WinTV 250 PVR and Snapstream. There is nothing easier or better. Of course the software isn't free but you really do get what you pay for.

-Bobby