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DVR - Digital Video Recorder

DVR / PVR - How To Build One - Main Page

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How This Project Site Works

Navigation for all the DVR pages at the bottom of each page, in the grey area.

Important words on a page are highlighted in red and bold, to help you find something quickly.

Links, which, in most cases, will open a new window , are in blue, underlined, and bold. These links are to add more information. In many cases they will provide you with Google search results so that you can make comparisons between multiple suppliers.

Full Project
To build a DVR from scratch, follow all the links at the bottom of the page.

Each section can be read on its own, but is also flows from one section to the next.
Quick Start
If you want to upgrade an older PC or buy a brand new PC as a base to start from, you can jump to the
Quick Start pages.

Once you build a DVR, there are a lot of great things you can do. Check out a new page called DVR Plus, on 3xTheInfo. DVR-Plus (a new window opens).

Digital Video Recorders are easy to build since they are just another type of PC.

Here are the Basic Assumptions for this project:

You already know how to build a PC. If not here is a good link in a new window.
The operating system you want to use is Windows. Currently there are three (3) possible versions of XP; Home, Professional, or Media Center Edition 2005 (MCE). You can also use an earlier version of Windows, like 2000 or even 98; you just have to check the components you choose are supported.
You want to be able to connect your DVR to your TV, and possibly a Stereo. We will discuss both standard and HDTV connections.

Advanced Assumptions

Since the basis for a DVR is a PC, there are several additions you can make that we add a lot of capabilities and fun to your DVR, turning it into a virtual "home digital media center".

We will show how to get more out of your DVR in the advanced sections of this project.

Getting Started

To build the right DVR for you, you need to consider several different factors before you begin. Below is the hierarchy of issues with a brief overview of each. Later we will review them in detail. By taking a closer look at each issue in advance we will ensure you have all the info you need, before you buy the components to build the right DVR for you.

The Three Main Considerations For Building A DVR.

Functionality - what do you want the DVR to do? Example: Record and playback, or something more. And how do I make that happen.

Technology - what technology will you need to make the functionality possible? Example: PC cards, cable boxes, etc. And what applications will I need to make the technology work.

Connections - what connections will you need to achieve the functionality or drive the technology? Example: Cable connections available, TV inputs available, or Internet connections available.

After we talk about all the issues above, we will then discuss Putting It Together.

We recommend you read through all of the pages once so you have a good overview. Then go to the Putting It Together section to make your final choices and configure your DVR.

Next Step - DVR Functionality

DVR Main - First section with an overview	DVR Quick Start
DVR Functionality - decided what you want the DVR to do
DVR Technology - components for your DVR	DVR Updates
Pages: T1 T2 T3
DVR Connections - connections to and from your DVR	DVR FAQ
Pages: C1 C2 C3
DVR Putting It Together - building your DVR
Pages: P1 P2
DVR Recommendations - insights and other notes

Need to find something - use this Google link - it will open a new window.