Using a PC to record TV

spirit

spirit

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Hey all, didn't really know where to post this so I thought I'd put it here.

Basically Dad and I are building a little PC to use on the TV [as a monitor] to replace our Blu-ray player and TV recorder. We'd like to be able to record TV to this PC and we know that we need a TV tuner of some sort to do this but we're not sure which one to get because we know nothing about them. :D

We've done a little bit of research and it seems like there's not a lot of options out there, but a USB TV tuner like this might work well (and has a lot of good reviews on Amazon): http://www.shop.bt.com/products/pct...plestick-hd-tv-tuner-77KG.html?q=usb tv tuner

We're not too fussed about watching TV through the PC. What we want to do is record 1080p TV onto a large HDD and then play it back - and it would be really nice if we could record in MP4 or something so we can move the files around etc.

A lot of people are saying that that tuner works with Windows Media Center, so we'll buy Windows Media Center for Windows 8.1 Pro for £7, that's not a problem. I'm just wondering if they're using WMC to actually record/playback TV or if they're just using it to watch TV through their PCs.

If anybody could recommend exactly what we need or could confirm that that USB tuner does what we need that'd be great thanks! :good:
 
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Anybody? All I want to know is if that USB TV tuner will be able to record 1080p HD TV.
 
check out avermedia. i used for years. Recordings was and did work well. Choose your country and check it out. now i use slingbox. both options was and is good for watching in real time and recording. slingbox just gives ya control of a cable box.
 
tremmor said:
check out avermedia. i used for years. Recordings was and did work well. Choose your country and check it out. now i use slingbox. both options was and is good for watching in real time and recording. slingbox just gives ya control of a cable box.
Click to expand...

Yeah I saw they were recommended. I had a look at one of their products but one thing I forgot to mention is we need at least a dual tuner meaning we can record two things at once and the Avermedia one I found wasn't. I'll have to have another look and see if they have anything that fits the bill. :) We also need Freeview air-to-air (not satellite).

We're now looking at this: http://www.shop.bt.com/products/tbs...ile-pcie-dvb-t2-tv-tuner-card-99CW.html?q=tbs any thoughts?

There's even a quad tuner version: http://www.shop.bt.com/products/tbs...-hd-pcie-tv-tuner-card-dvb-t2-96B9.html?q=tbs
 
That tuner does not seem to say in the specification what it`s limits are.

Perhaps this review of all the top TV tuners might help and most do full HD - http://tv-tuner-card-review.toptenreviews.com/

I can certainly second the Avermedia idea they have a great range and with a device like that you are not just limited to recording TV, but can record almost any device with an hdmi connection.

I use mine to record PC, ps4 and tablet.
 
Cheers James will take a look. :good:

Can you tell me which tuner you use please? Make/model.
 
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I have the Avermedia live gamer portable not really a tuner as such, it won`t give you any TV like u usb TV stick, it is just a recording device.

Avermedia have a great range with different features, my lgp is great for portability, but limited to 30fps above 720p.

I am currently considering getting the extremecap U3 - http://gamerzone.avermedia.com/game_capture/extremecap_u3

Although if you really want TV tuner stick, they do a range of those as well - http://www.avermedia.com/tvsoftware/
 
Thanks James. Will look at Avermedia but I think Dad is quite keen on the TBS6281 card.
 
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