处理录像带以录制您最喜欢的电视节目的日子已经一去不复返了（80 年代的孩子知道我在说什么）。现在，您只需点击几下遥控器即可购买能够完成相同任务的设备。然而，即使在当今的数字环境中，这种便利也带来了复杂性。
使用数字视频录像机 ( DVR ) 可能遇到的主要问题是，您会被设备附带的任何功能所困扰。除了附加在每月ISP账单上的额外费用之外，还可以完全让人们望而却步。那么为什么不建立自己的呢？
构建自己的DVR并不像人们想象的那样令人生畏。使用一些现成的设备，您可以放弃支付通常伴随使用此类功能的每月服务费。
不仅如此，而且由于您将自己做，您将有能力在您觉得需要时修改技术。这包括通过硬盘升级扩展存储基础，以及将用户界面调整为更易于导航的内容。
DVR本质上只是一个硬盘驱动器，能够与您的电视连接，以及一些可帮助您控制的随附软件。因此，当您可以很好地使用旧台式计算机时，请停止为每月功能付费。
如何将您的计算机变成 DVR(How To Turn Your Computer Into a DVR)
要为您的新DVR(DVR)建立基础，您需要清理旧电脑或购买一台翻新(buy a refurbished one)的电脑，您可以以便宜的价格买到。如果您有任何计划在未来扩展或安装更新的组件，PC 是您的最佳选择。
您可以使用笔记本电脑，但很难更新，因为大多数在扩展部门都非常有限。Mac(A Mac)也是不错的选择，但 PC 通常有更多可用选项。
录制标清 (SD) 视频不需要太多电力。录制和观看高清 (HD) 视频或蓝光(Blu-ray)是完全不同的野兽。清晰度越高，需要的功率就越大。
设置DVR时，您需要注意一些特定部分。
- 处理器(Processor)——只要你有一个可以运行最新操作系统的处理器，它就不需要什么特别的。DVR的编码将由电视采集卡处理，从而减轻了处理器的负担。
- 硬盘(Hard Drive)- 录制一部电影，尤其是高清电影，通常会花费您 1 GB 或更多的硬盘空间。这类事情可以迅速增加，因此必须有足够的空间来保持DVR的运行。多年来，硬盘已经变得相当便宜，因此购买新硬盘不应该让你的钱包着火。(Hard)但是，如果您手头拮据，您可以在初始硬盘驱动器装满后随时进行扩展。
- Graphics/Video Card——这将是DVR设置中成本更高的部分。您需要一张功能强大的卡，可以处理发送到电视的视频信号。高清和蓝光(Blu-ray)将需要具有相当大马力的视频卡。不要(Don)害怕在这个组件上挥霍，因为当涉及到正在观看的视频质量时，这与您的眼睛将盯着的东西联系在一起。
- 内存(Memory)– 2GB 随机存取内存 ( RAM ) 将确保您的标清DVR获得更流畅的体验。不过(Though)，升级到 4GB+ 将使任何 HD 担忧很快消退。越多越好，如今RAM往往相当便宜。
- 电源(Power Supply)- 您在上面选择的组件越强大，运行它们所需的功率就越多。在线查找电源 ( PSU ) 计算器，以确定您的(PSU)DVR需要多少电量。
电视采集卡(TV Capture Cards)
与今天的大多数电视不同，电视采集卡带有自己的调谐器来接收电视信号。顶级采集卡将具有能够处理所有信号编码的板载处理器。这将减轻计算机主处理器的压力，因此请考虑购买一个。
在查看视频采集卡的细节时，重要的是要寻找能够接受DBV和ATSC中的 MPEG-2 传输流的卡。这些卡有时被称为数字硬件卡，是视频采集卡的更好版本，因为大多数电视都是数字广播而不是模拟广播。
大多数视频采集卡是外围组件互连 ( PCI ) 或PCI -Express卡，可以安装到计算机主板上的插槽中。如果您更喜欢这条路线，还有可以占用USB 2.0插槽的视频捕获设备。(USB 2.0)
硬盘录像机软件(DVR Software)
当谈到运行DVR所需的软件时，有很多可用的选项。其中一些选项甚至可以免费使用。您选择的视频采集卡甚至可能带有自己的DVR软件，您可以选择使用或不使用。只要您喜欢该软件，它就可以节省您寻找其他软件的时间和金钱。
您拥有的软件选项取决于您选择的操作系统。Linux操作系统有MythTV （(MythTV )免费选项）或SageTV。SageTV 也可用于Windows 操作系统(Windows OS)，如果您选择双启动两个操作系统(dual boot the two operating systems)，这将非常有用。
Windows还可以访问GB-PVR（免费）和BeyondTV。Mac 用户会发现Elgato 的 EyeTV(Elgato’s EyeTV)或 Miglia 的EvolutionTV是物超所值的最佳选择。然后是适用于所有三个的NextPVR 。
这是另一个个人选择，因为用户界面和自定义在应用程序之间确实存在差异。有些需要互联网连接才能将节目信息发送到您的DVR，而另一些则可能使用网络浏览器。
享受劳动成果(Enjoying The Fruits Of Your Labor)
连接所有内部组件并安装软件后，将新组装的DVR连接到电视。
- 首先，将电缆连接或卫星电缆连接到视频采集卡的输入端。
- 接下来，将DVR计算机的视频卡连接到电视。对于高清观看，HDMI连接是必须的。
- 将计算机的音频输出连接到电视或家庭影院系统的输入。
- 通过将计算机连接到Internet并打开所有电源来完成该过程。允许加载节目列表，您就可以使用非合同自建DVR观看和录制电视节目。
How To Turn Your Computer Into a DVR
Long gone are the days of deаling with videotapes in order to record your favorite televisіon programs (80s kids know what I’m talking about). You can now buy a device that will do the ѕame task in јust a few clicks of a remote control. Yet, еven in today’s digital climate, there are comрlicatiоnѕ that come with such convenience.
The main issues one may have with a digital video recorder (DVR) is that you’re stuck with whatever capabilities come included with the device. That, on top of the additional charges tacked on to your monthly ISP bill, can turn people away altogether. So why not just build your own?
Building your own DVR is not as daunting as one may believe. With a few pieces of off-the-shelf equipment, you can forego paying the monthly service fee that generally accompanies the use of such a feature.
Not only that but since you’ll be doing it yourself, you’ll have the capability of modifying the tech whenever you feel the need. This includes expanding the storage base through hard drive upgrades and tweaking the user interface to something more easily navigable.
A DVR is essentially just a hard drive, with the ability to interface with your TV, and some accompanying software that helps you take control. So, quit paying for the monthly feature when you could put an old desktop computer to good use instead.
How To Turn Your Computer Into a DVR
To establish a base for your new DVR, you’re going to want to dust off an old computer or buy a refurbished one you can get on the cheap. If you have any plans to expand in the future or install newer components, a PC is the way to go.
You could use a laptop but it’d be difficult to update as most are very limited in the expansion department. A Mac is also a decent choice but a PC will normally have far more available options.
Recording standard definition (SD) videos won’t require much in the way of power. Recording and watching high definition (HD) videos or Blu-ray is a different beast entirely. The higher the definition, the more power will be needed.
When setting up your DVR, you’ll want to pay attention to a few specific parts.
- Processor – So long as you have a processor that can run the latest operating systems, it won’t need to be anything special. The encoding for the DVR will be handled by a TV capture card, taking the heavy lifting off of the processor’s shoulders.
- Hard Drive – Recording a single movie, especially in HD, will normally cost you a gigabyte or more of hard drive space. This sort of thing can add up quickly so having enough space to keep your DVR going is a must. Hard drives have become rather cheap over the years so purchasing a new one shouldn’t set your wallet on fire. However, if you’re stuck for cash, you can always expand later on once the initial hard drive fills up.
- Graphics/Video Card – This will be the more costly portion of your DVR setup. You’ll want a powerful enough card that can process the video signal being sent to your TV. HD and Blu-ray will require a video card with some decent horsepower. Don’t be afraid to splurge on this component as this is tied into what your eyes will be staring at when it comes to the quality of video being watched.
- Memory – 2GB of random access memory (RAM) will ensure a smoother experience for your standard definition DVR. Though, an upgrade to 4GB+ will make it so that any HD worries fade rather quickly. More is always better and RAM tends to be rather inexpensive nowadays.
- Power Supply – The more powerful the components you’ve chosen above, the more power will be required to run them. Look online for a power supply (PSU) calculator to determine how much power your DVR is going to need.
TV Capture Cards
Unlike most TVs today, a TV capture card comes with its own tuner to receive television signals. Top of the line capture cards will have onboard processors that are capable of handling all of the signal encodings. This will take a lot of stress off of the computer’s main processor so look to purchasing one.
When looking into the specifics of your video capture card, it’s important to look for one capable of accepting an MPEG-2 transport stream in both DBV and ATSC. These cards are sometimes referred to as digital hardware cards and are the better version of video capture cards seeing as most TV is broadcast digitally rather than analog anymore.
Most video capture cards are either peripheral component interconnect (PCI) or PCI-Express cards and can fit into slots on the motherboard of your computer. There are also video capture devices that can take up a USB 2.0 slot if you’d prefer that route.
DVR Software
When it comes to the software needed to run a DVR, there are plenty of options available. Some of these options are even free for use. Your chosen video capture card might even come with its own DVR software that you can choose to use or not. So long as you like the software, it can save you time and money looking for additional software.
The software options you have are determined by the operating system you’ve settled on. The Linux operating system has MythTV (free option) or SageTV. SageTV can also be used for the Windows OS which is useful if you’ve chosen to dual boot the two operating systems.
Windows also has access to GB-PVR (free) and BeyondTV. Mac users will find either Elgato’s EyeTV or Miglia’s EvolutionTV the best bang for their buck. Then there is NextPVR which works on all three.
This is yet another personal choice as user interface and customization are really all that differ between the applications. Some will require an internet connection in order to send programming information to your DVR whereas others may use a web browser.
Enjoying The Fruits Of Your Labor
After connecting all internal components and installing the software, connect the newly assembled DVR to your TV.
- First, attach your cable connection or satellite cable to the video capture card’s input.
- Next, connect the DVR computer’s video card to your TV. For HD viewing, an HDMI connection is a must.
- Connect the audio output of your computer to the inputs on your TV or home theater system.
- Finish the process by connecting the computer to the Internet and powering everything on. Allow the program list load and you’ll be ready to watch and record TV shows with your non-contractual self-built DVR.
