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<generator>Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/</generator><item><title>TiVo Series 3 PROM hack - Not for the non-techies</title><link>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/31/series-3-prom-hack-not-for-the-non-techies/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/31/series-3-prom-hack-not-for-the-non-techies/</guid><comments>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/31/series-3-prom-hack-not-for-the-non-techies/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/hacks/" rel="tag">Hacks</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/news/" rel="tag">News</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/tivo/" rel="tag">TiVo</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/diy/" rel="tag">DIY</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/tivo-series-3/" rel="tag">TiVo Series 3</a></p><br /><a href="http://www.9thtee.com/insidetivo.htm"><img width="240" vspace="2" hspace="2" height="180" border="0" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.pvrwire.com/media/2007/01/tivo-motherboard.jpg"  alt="TiVo Motherboard" /></a><a href="http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/30/series3-prom-hack/">Engadget</a> has discovered that the TiVo Series 3 has had the PROM chip hacked. If you're like me your probably thinking "<em>what the hell is a PROM chip?</em>"<br /><br />Well PROM stands for Programmable Read Only Memory and the PROM chip is placed on the <a href="http://www.9thtee.com/insidetivo.htm">motherboard inside your TiVo</a> and contains some pre-loaded basic intelligence. It is this intelligence that contains security to prevent your TiVo from being modified with third party software and hacks.<br /><br />This PROM hack can be done in the following not-so-simple steps:<br />
<ul>
    <li>De-solder the PROM chip from the TiVo motherboard</li>
    <li>If you haven't fried the chip continue...</li>
    <li>Extract the code from the Chip</li>
    <li>Edit the Hex</li>
    <li>Burn a new PROM</li>
    <li>Re-solder the new chip back to the motherboard</li>
    <li>Hope you haven't fried the chip</li>
</ul>
As you can see this is not exactly the easiest hack to do and it is only the first step. The next stage is developing individual hacks to alter the functionality of the TiVo, such as enabling TiVo2Go. <br /><br />If you're technically minded enough and want to learn more then head over to the <a href="http://www.dealdatabase.com/forum/showthread.php?t=52620">DealDatabase forums</a> for more info.<br /><br />[Via <a href="http://community.livejournal.com/tivolovers/421276.html">TiVo Lovers</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/30/series3-prom-hack/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/31/series-3-prom-hack-not-for-the-non-techies/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/forward/745688/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/31/series-3-prom-hack-not-for-the-non-techies/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br />]]></description><category>hack</category><category>motherboard</category><category>prom</category><category>tivo</category><dc:creator>Chris Tew</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-01-31T13:18:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Control your house with your TiVo - HomeSeer TiVo HME Application</title><link>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/31/control-your-house-with-your-tivo-homeseer-tivo-hme-applicatio/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/31/control-your-house-with-your-tivo-homeseer-tivo-hme-applicatio/</guid><comments>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/31/control-your-house-with-your-tivo-homeseer-tivo-hme-applicatio/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/general-1/" rel="tag">General</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/news/" rel="tag">News</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/tivo/" rel="tag">TiVo</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/diy/" rel="tag">DIY</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/home-networking/" rel="tag">Home Networking</a></p><br /><a href="http://www.dvrplayground.com/blog/5/14212/GRHS-Technologies-releases-Home-Automation-TiVo-plug-in/"><img width="200" vspace="2" hspace="2" height="93" border="0" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.pvrwire.com/media/2007/01/homeseer.jpg"  alt="Homeseer" /></a>Now this is cool! Control electronic devices in your house from the comfort of your couch using a TiVo remote control. That means you can now annoy other family members by turning off their lights from the comfort of your couch!<br /><br />You may of heard of <a href="http://www.pvrwire.com/2006/11/21/homeseer-releases-upgraded-automated-home-control-software/">HomeSeer for Windows Media Center Edition</a> which allowed you to control your house using a Media Center PC. Well the same thing has now <a href="http://store.homeseer.com/store/TiVo-Plug-In-P290C7.aspx">arrived on TiVo</a> making use of TiVo's HME development platform.<br /><br />Once you have Homeseer installed there seems to be no limit on what devices can be controlled. If its got a button, a setting, a switch or anything like that then its likely that you could control it from your TiVo.<br /><br />[Via <a href="http://community.livejournal.com/tivolovers/421452.html">TiVo Lovers</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.dvrplayground.com/blog/5/14212/GRHS-Technologies-releases-Home-Automation-TiVo-plug-in/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/31/control-your-house-with-your-tivo-homeseer-tivo-hme-applicatio/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/forward/745687/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/31/control-your-house-with-your-tivo-homeseer-tivo-hme-applicatio/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br />]]></description><category>hme</category><category>homeseer</category><category>tivo</category><dc:creator>Chris Tew</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-01-31T12:18:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Edit Recorded TV Shows in Vista Move Maker</title><link>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/31/edit-recorded-tv-shows-in-vista-move-maker/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/31/edit-recorded-tv-shows-in-vista-move-maker/</guid><comments>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/31/edit-recorded-tv-shows-in-vista-move-maker/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/news/" rel="tag">News</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/software/" rel="tag">Software</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/microsoft/" rel="tag">Microsoft</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/media-center-edition/" rel="tag">Media Center Edition</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/diy/" rel="tag">DIY</a></p><br /><a href="http://lifehacker.com/software/video/edit-recorded-tv-shows-in-vista-movie-maker-232293.php"><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.pvrwire.com/media/2007/01/vista-movie-maker.png" alt="" /></a><br /><br />Yesterday I <a href="http://www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/30/convert-your-dvr-ms-mce-recordings-to-xvid-x264-and-mpeg-4/">mentioned</a> Microsoft's propriety video format MS-DVR which is used for Windows Media Center recordings. <br /><br />Previously you would need to convert the videos to a more standard format using something like <a href="http://www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/30/convert-your-dvr-ms-mce-recordings-to-xvid-x264-and-mpeg-4/">DVRBox</a> so you could edit them with ease. However <a href="http://www.microsoft.com/windows/products/windowsvista/features/details/moviemaker.mspx">Vista Movie Maker</a> now comes with full support of MS-DVR files so editing out those adverts is now pretty easy.<br /><br />And if you get stuck you can always ask for help in the <a href="http://www.windowsmoviemakers.net/Forums/Default.aspx">Windows Movie Maker forums</a>.<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://lifehacker.com/software/video/edit-recorded-tv-shows-in-vista-movie-maker-232293.php>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/31/edit-recorded-tv-shows-in-vista-move-maker/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/forward/745685/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/31/edit-recorded-tv-shows-in-vista-move-maker/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br />]]></description><category>cista movie maker</category><category>CistaMovieMaker</category><category>ms-dvr</category><category>vista</category><dc:creator>Chris Tew</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-01-31T10:17:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Convert your DVR-MS MCE recordings to Xvid, x264 and MPEG-4</title><link>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/30/convert-your-dvr-ms-mce-recordings-to-xvid-x264-and-mpeg-4/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/30/convert-your-dvr-ms-mce-recordings-to-xvid-x264-and-mpeg-4/</guid><comments>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/30/convert-your-dvr-ms-mce-recordings-to-xvid-x264-and-mpeg-4/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/news/" rel="tag">News</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/software/" rel="tag">Software</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/microsoft/" rel="tag">Microsoft</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/media-center-edition/" rel="tag">Media Center Edition</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/diy/" rel="tag">DIY</a></p><br /><img vspace="4" hspace="4" border="1" alt="" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.pvrwire.com/media/2007/01/dvrbox-compression.jpg" /><br /><br /><a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DVR-MS">DVR-MS</a> is a proprietary Microsoft format that is used in Media Center Edition to record videos. Unfortunately this format can't be played on may other devices so you may want to be able to easily convert your DVR-MS video recordings to some other format..<br /><br />DVRBox is free open source software that does just that converting your DVR-MS video files into other formats including Xvid and MPEG 4. Features include:<br />
<ul>
    <li>Editing of DVR-MS videos</li>
    <li>Batch processing</li>
    <li>Automatic crop detection</li>
    <li>Scheduled compression</li>
    <li>Outputs to MPEG-4 including XviD, x264</li>
</ul>
In development is manual cropping, directory scanning, profilesand iPod Support.<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://msmvps.com/blogs/chrisl/archive/2007/01/29/526955.aspx>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/30/convert-your-dvr-ms-mce-recordings-to-xvid-x264-and-mpeg-4/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/forward/744986/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/30/convert-your-dvr-ms-mce-recordings-to-xvid-x264-and-mpeg-4/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br />]]></description><category>dvr-ms</category><category>dvrbox</category><category>mce</category><category>MPEG-4</category><category>x264</category><category>Xvid</category><dc:creator>Chris Tew</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-01-30T13:41:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Xbox 360 Hack - Get a bigger hard drive but no extra space</title><link>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/27/xbox-360-hack-get-a-bigger-hard-drive-but-no-extra-space/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/27/xbox-360-hack-get-a-bigger-hard-drive-but-no-extra-space/</guid><comments>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/27/xbox-360-hack-get-a-bigger-hard-drive-but-no-extra-space/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/hacks/" rel="tag">Hacks</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/news/" rel="tag">News</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/microsoft/" rel="tag">Microsoft</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/diy/" rel="tag">DIY</a></p><br /><img width="320" vspace="2" hspace="2" height="320" border="0" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.pvrwire.com/media/2007/01/xbox-hard-drive.jpg"  alt="Xbox Hard Drive" />It is now possible to <a href="http://www.xbox-scene.com/xbox1data/sep/EEyAZlukkkkGLVUagB.php">hack your Xbox 360</a> so you can add a larger hard drive, but it's just a shame that your Xbox will still think it is a 20GB hard drive.<br /><br />The hack is done using a DOS based program that currently only works with Western Digital BEVS hard drives. <br /><br />Although you can't use the space of the larger hard drives it will allow you to save money by not buying the $100 Xbox 360 hard drive and getting a cheaper Western Digital 40GB hard drive for $60. <br /><br />You can then lay in hope that Microsoft updates the Xbox 360 to look for larger hard drives or alternatively someone creates a hack to make the Xbox do it.<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://gizmodo.com/gadgets/home-entertainment/install-western-digital-hard-drives-into-your-xbox-360-231670.php>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/27/xbox-360-hack-get-a-bigger-hard-drive-but-no-extra-space/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/forward/743647/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/27/xbox-360-hack-get-a-bigger-hard-drive-but-no-extra-space/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br />]]></description><category>hack</category><category>hard drive</category><category>HardDrive</category><category>xbox 360</category><category>Xbox360</category><dc:creator>Chris Tew</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-01-27T17:22:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Beyond TV Skins - Customize the look of Beyond TV with themes</title><link>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/25/beyond-tv-skins-customize-the-look-of-beyond-tv-with-themes/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/25/beyond-tv-skins-customize-the-look-of-beyond-tv-with-themes/</guid><comments>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/25/beyond-tv-skins-customize-the-look-of-beyond-tv-with-themes/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/general-1/" rel="tag">General</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/hacks/" rel="tag">Hacks</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/news/" rel="tag">News</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/software/" rel="tag">Software</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/tips/" rel="tag">Tips</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/beyond-tv/" rel="tag">Beyond TV</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/diy/" rel="tag">DIY</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/downloads/" rel="tag">Downloads</a></p><br /><a href="http://blogs.snapstream.com/2007/01/24/give-your-beyond-tv-a-new-look/"><img width="425" vspace="2" hspace="2" height="319" border="0" align="middle" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.pvrwire.com/media/2007/01/dolphins-beyond-tv.jpg"  alt="Beyong TV Dolphin Theme" /></a><br /><br />Everyone likes to customize their PC with some pictures and themes, if its not a picture of some hot girl or a desert island on your desktop, it's a load of fishes swimming around on your screensaver.<br /><br />The Snapstream community has created a nice <a href="http://forums.snapstream.com/vb/forumdisplay.php?f=41">set of skins</a> for the BeyondTV PVR interface meaning your TV experience can now be that little more personalized too. <br /><br />A selection of the skins available can be seen here including dolphin, desert island and pirate themes. Installing a skin is easy and requires simply replacing one file in the BeyondTV directory.<br /><br />Anyone fancy making a PVR Wire theme? You know you want too!<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://blogs.snapstream.com/2007/01/24/give-your-beyond-tv-a-new-look/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/25/beyond-tv-skins-customize-the-look-of-beyond-tv-with-themes/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/forward/742292/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/25/beyond-tv-skins-customize-the-look-of-beyond-tv-with-themes/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br />]]></description><category>beyond tv</category><category>BeyondTv</category><category>skins</category><category>themes</category><dc:creator>Chris Tew</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-01-25T14:19:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Record TV from your cable box to your PC, even in HD</title><link>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/24/record-tv-from-your-cable-box-to-your-pc-even-in-hd/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/24/record-tv-from-your-cable-box-to-your-pc-even-in-hd/</guid><comments>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/24/record-tv-from-your-cable-box-to-your-pc-even-in-hd/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/cable-tv/" rel="tag">Cable TV</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/hacks/" rel="tag">Hacks</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/hdtv/" rel="tag">HDTV</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/tips/" rel="tag">Tips</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/diy/" rel="tag">DIY</a></p><br /><img width="123" vspace="2" hspace="2" height="141" border="0" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.pvrwire.com/media/2007/01/firewire.jpg"  alt="FireWire Cable" />If you want to record television shows directly onto your PC from cable it is possible for a number of channels. The FCC requires that all cable boxes have a firewire port allowing you to connect your PC and Cable Box together.<br /><br />Unfortunately it's not as simple as connecting your PC and Cable Box with a firewire cable (<em>pictured right</em>) and starting to record. You'll need to install various software and drivers first. <br /><br />Also it is unlikely that you will be able to record any premium channels as they will be encrypted. All regular broadcast channels must however be open, if they are not get on the phone to your cable operator and tell them to sort it out.<br /><br /><a href="http://www.uberlounge.com/2007/01/23/copy-hdtv-from-your-cable-box-to-your-pc-heres-exactly-how-and-its-easy/">Uber Lounge</a> has the full steps for recording cable TV in both SD and HD to your PC.<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://digg.com/tech_news/Copy_HDTV_from_your_Cable_Box_to_your_PC_Here_is_How_To>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/24/record-tv-from-your-cable-box-to-your-pc-even-in-hd/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/forward/741580/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/24/record-tv-from-your-cable-box-to-your-pc-even-in-hd/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br />]]></description><category>cable</category><category>hdtv</category><category>pc</category><category>record</category><dc:creator>Chris Tew</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-01-24T13:22:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>DirecTiVo Owners Reboot Now!</title><link>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/24/directivo-owners-reboot-now/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/24/directivo-owners-reboot-now/</guid><comments>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/24/directivo-owners-reboot-now/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/news/" rel="tag">News</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/support/" rel="tag">Support</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/tips/" rel="tag">Tips</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/directtv/" rel="tag">DirectTV</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/diy/" rel="tag">DIY</a></p><br /><img width="200" vspace="2" hspace="2" height="200" border="0" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.pvrwire.com/media/2007/01/directv-hr10-250.jpg"  alt="DirecTiVo" />Back in December reports of problems with DirecTiVos began to appear explaining that the PVRs were being erratic in their ability to record shows. The PVRs would often fail to record shows altogether and mysteriously delete some recorded programs. <br /><br />DirecTV then said that it had <a href="http://www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/16/directv-says-tivo-trouble-should-be-over-but-is-it/">fixed the problem</a> but DirecTiVo users still continued to have the same problems. Now DirecTV spokesperson Robert Mercer told <a href="http://www.tvpredictions.com/tivoreboot012307.htm">TVPredictions.com</a> yesterday that "a reboot will clean it up and the unit will start recording again."<br /><br />So the age old trick of "turning it off and on" should hopefully put your DirecTiVo back on track.<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.tvpredictions.com/tivoreboot012307.htm>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/24/directivo-owners-reboot-now/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/forward/741579/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/24/directivo-owners-reboot-now/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br />]]></description><category>directivo</category><category>directv</category><category>fault</category><dc:creator>Chris Tew</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-01-24T11:21:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Another PVR-building tutorial</title><link>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/22/another-pvr-building-tutorial/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/22/another-pvr-building-tutorial/</guid><comments>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/22/another-pvr-building-tutorial/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/tips/" rel="tag">Tips</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/diy/" rel="tag">DIY</a></p><br /><a href="http://shawnkent.ca/?page_id=45"><img vspace="2" hspace="2" border="1" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.pvrwire.com/media/2007/01/shawnkent.jpg"  alt="Shawn Kent PVR" /></a>We've given you tips <a href="http://www.pvrwire.com/2006/10/31/building-a-media-center-on-a-windows-pc/">time </a>and <a href="http://www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/12/building-an-htpc-on-the-cheap/">time</a> <a href="http://www.pvrwire.com/2006/11/24/build-a-pc-pvr-for-235/">again </a>on how to build your own PVR. You can go out and purchase some new parts, or you can dedicate an old computer to the task.<br /><br />But the voyeur in me just can't get enough of these tutorials, because I love seeing how other folks' home-built PVRs stack up against mine. <br /><br />Shawn Kent has written up a <a href="http://shawnkent.ca/?page_id=45">pretty simple tutorial</a> on building a relatively inexpensive HTPC using parts from an old computer, a new case, hard drive, video card, and TV tuner.<br /><br />The problem with tutorials like this is that they're getting outdated by the minute. Yes, it's true that you can build a home theater PC to handle standard definition content for just a few hundred dollars. But as the push towards high definition video and high definition television sets continue, these systems may not really suit your needs much longer. Adding a hi-def tuner doesn't cost much more, but you really need to reevaluate your choices in graphics cards, hard drive capacity and so forth if you're making the leap to a hi-def.<br /><br />And while Windows Vista promises CableCard compliance, allowing you to receive cable HDTV signals (most PC-based HDTV tuners only handle over-the-air signals), there's still no support for advanced features like video-on-demand. In other words, building a home theater PC today means making compromises. To be perfectly honest, I'd only suggest doing it if you don't plan to buy a HDTV for another few years. Otherwise, it might make more sense to get the cable company PVR (especially if it's a <a href="http://www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/08/comcast-and-tivo-showcase-pvr-service-at-ces-finally/">Comcast/Cox Motorola box that will soon run TiVo software</a>), and wait another year or two for PVR technology to catch up with TV technology.<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://shawnkent.ca/?page_id=45>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/22/another-pvr-building-tutorial/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/forward/740176/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/22/another-pvr-building-tutorial/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br />]]></description><category>build your own</category><category>BuildYourOwn</category><category>do it yourself</category><category>DoItYourself</category><category>pc based pvr</category><category>PcBasedPvr</category><dc:creator>Brad Linder</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-01-22T09:58:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Review of the WinTV-PVR-500 tuner card</title><link>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/22/review-of-the-wintv-pvr-500-tuner-card/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/22/review-of-the-wintv-pvr-500-tuner-card/</guid><comments>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/22/review-of-the-wintv-pvr-500-tuner-card/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/diy/" rel="tag">DIY</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/reviews/" rel="tag">Reviews</a></p><br />
<p><a href="http://www.virtual-hideout.net/reviews/WinTv-PVR_500_MCE/index.shtml"><img height="150" alt="WinTV-PVR 500" hspace="2" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.pvrwire.com/media/2007/01/wintv-pvr-500.jpg" width="177" align="right" vspace="2" border="0" /></a>One of the most popular adjustments I have seen people make to their homebrew PVR's is the addition of a second tuner. Sure once you get your system up and running it seems great - until you realize that the broadcast companies don't always adhere to your personal schedule.</p>
<p>With that in mind, one the easiest fixes to this problem is to put a dual tuner card into your system right from the get go. I've always been a fan of the Hauppauge tuner cards - they tend to be pretty solid for the price, and as luck would have they also manufacture a dual tuner card, the WinTV-PVR-500.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.virtual-hideout.net/reviews/WinTv-PVR_500_MCE/index.shtml">Virtual-Hideout</a> has gone forth and put this card through their tests and they let us know what they find in their two page review. Once you read the review you can decide for yourself whether the cost of the card (about $170) is worth it for the quality and ease of use of a single tuner card.<br /></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.virtual-hideout.net/reviews/WinTv-PVR_500_MCE/index.shtml>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/22/review-of-the-wintv-pvr-500-tuner-card/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/forward/740144/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/22/review-of-the-wintv-pvr-500-tuner-card/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br />]]></description><category>hauppauge</category><category>pvr</category><dc:creator>Matt Crape</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-01-22T09:12:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Crazy HTPC case shows off your hard drive</title><link>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/21/crazy-htpc-case-shows-off-your-hard-drive/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/21/crazy-htpc-case-shows-off-your-hard-drive/</guid><comments>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/21/crazy-htpc-case-shows-off-your-hard-drive/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/diy/" rel="tag">DIY</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/reviews/" rel="tag">Reviews</a></p><br /><a href="http://www.xtremecomputing.co.uk/review.php?id=320&amp;page=1"><img vspace="2" hspace="2" border="0" align="top" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.pvrwire.com/media/2007/01/silverstone-case.jpg"  alt="Silverstone CW01-WD" /></a><br /><br />File this under "who thought this was a good idea?"<br /><br />High-end home theater PC case makers Silverstone has decided to do away with that whole <a href="http://www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/19/origen-s21t-htpc-case-big-and-beautiful/">putting an LCD in the front of an HTPC case</a> trend, and instead put a little window for you to watch your hard drive spin. I guess it gives you something to watch when you're wife's monopolizing your PC to watch period dramas.<br /><br />Anyway, <a href="http://www.xtremecomputing.co.uk/review.php?id=320&amp;page=1">XtremeComputing put the Silverstone CW01-WD through the paces</a>, and for the most part, they like what they saw. There's room for 6 hard drives and 2 5.25-inch bays, and the case includes a 52-in-1 memory card reader. The only real problem is that it takes a very long screwdriver to remove the hard drive cage at the front of the case. That, and when you're done, you've got a case with a visible hard drive in the front, (although the XtremeComputing reviewer seemed to think this was a good thing).<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.xtremecomputing.co.uk/review.php?id=320&amp;page=1>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/21/crazy-htpc-case-shows-off-your-hard-drive/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/forward/739934/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/21/crazy-htpc-case-shows-off-your-hard-drive/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br />]]></description><category>case</category><category>htpc</category><category>silverstone</category><dc:creator>Brad Linder</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-01-21T19:12:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Origen S21T HTPC case - big and beautiful</title><link>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/19/origen-s21t-htpc-case-big-and-beautiful/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/19/origen-s21t-htpc-case-big-and-beautiful/</guid><comments>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/19/origen-s21t-htpc-case-big-and-beautiful/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/news/" rel="tag">News</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/diy/" rel="tag">DIY</a></p><br /><a href="http://www.origenae.com/en/htpc_s21t.htm"><img vspace="2" hspace="2" border="0" align="top" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.pvrwire.com/media/2007/01/s21t.jpg"  alt="Origen S21T" /></a><br />Thinking of building a home theater PC, but you don't really want to put your tower case next to your LCD TV? Well, there's a growing number of HTPC cases out there for building machines that look more like audio/video equipment than computers. And then there's the <a href="http://www.origenae.com/en/htpc_s21t.htm">Origen S21T</a>.<br /><br />This case has a 12.1-inch motorized touch screen on the front with support for resolutions up to 1920x1080. That's right, while most cases with an LCD display top out around 7-inches, which means you'd have to be standing in front of the display to make use of them, this case almost makes the TV or monitor its plugged into irrelevant.<br /><br />You also get an attractive case. That touch screen slides out to reveal a media bay, USB hub, and audio and firewire ports. Theres' three fans in there, 2 intake and 1 exhaust, but they're all of the low-volume variety. Oh yeah, and you can cram up to 10 hard drives in there.<br /><br />No word on pricing or availability.<br /><br />[via <a href="http://www.missingremote.com/index.php?option=com_content&amp;task=view&amp;id=946&amp;Itemid=1">Missing Remote</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.origenae.com/en/htpc_s21t.htm>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/19/origen-s21t-htpc-case-big-and-beautiful/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/forward/739109/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/19/origen-s21t-htpc-case-big-and-beautiful/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br />]]></description><category>case</category><category>htpc</category><category>origen</category><category>s21t</category><dc:creator>Brad Linder</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-01-19T14:05:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Turn a PS3 into a PVR</title><link>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/16/turn-a-ps3-into-a-pvr/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/16/turn-a-ps3-into-a-pvr/</guid><comments>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/16/turn-a-ps3-into-a-pvr/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/hacks/" rel="tag">Hacks</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/diy/" rel="tag">DIY</a></p><br /><a href="http://ps3mods.blogspot.com/2007/01/mythtv-for-ps3-turn-your-ps3-into.html"><img vspace="2" hspace="2" border="1" align="top" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.pvrwire.com/media/2007/01/ps3-convertx.jpg"  alt="PS3 PVR" /></a><br /><br />So you've bought the most expensive video game console currently on the market, and <a href="http://www.engadget.com/2007/01/01/yellow-dog-linux-5-0-for-ps3-now-available-for-free-how-is-it/">installed Linux on it</a>. Now what?<br /><br />Well, how about turning your PS3 into a full-blown PVR? All you need is Linux, <a href="http://www.mythtv.org/">MythTV</a>, and a <a href="http://www.pvrwire.com/2006/07/03/plextor-convertx-px-tv402u-pvr/">Plextor ConvertX PX-TV402U</a>, a pretty nifty little box that has a TV tuner, a variety of video inputs for handling cable and satellite broadcasts, and support for MPEG-1/2/4 and DivX compression. <br /><br />You'll need some <a href="http://oss.wischip.com/">Linux drivers</a> for that PX-TV402U, and a <a href="http://ps3mods.blogspot.com/2007/01/mythtv-for-ps3-turn-your-ps3-into.html">couple of patches</a> to help the driver work on the PS3.<br /><br />The upside: you've got a PS3 running MythTV and serving as a complete PVR. The downside: if you want to make sure you never miss a recording, you have to keep your MythTV running all the time, meaning you can't play PS3 games.<br /><br />And you could probably put together a cheaper DIY PVR to run MythTV if you really wanted to. But all that aside, color me impressed.<br /><span style="font-family: Arial,Helvetica,sans-serif; font-size: 85%;"></span><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://ps3mods.blogspot.com/2007/01/mythtv-for-ps3-turn-your-ps3-into.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/16/turn-a-ps3-into-a-pvr/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/forward/737034/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/16/turn-a-ps3-into-a-pvr/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br />]]></description><category>convertx</category><category>linux</category><category>plextor</category><category>ps3</category><category>px-tv402u</category><dc:creator>Brad Linder</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-01-16T13:54:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Building a database of Vista-compatible PVR hardware</title><link>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/15/building-a-database-of-vista-compatible-pvr-hardware/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/15/building-a-database-of-vista-compatible-pvr-hardware/</guid><comments>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/15/building-a-database-of-vista-compatible-pvr-hardware/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/tips/" rel="tag">Tips</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/diy/" rel="tag">DIY</a></p><br /><a href="http://mediacenter.thepodcastnetwork.com/2007/01/15/lets-build-up-a-list-of-devices-that-play-well-with-media-center/"><img vspace="2" hspace="2" border="0" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.pvrwire.com/media/2007/01/media-center-show.jpg"  alt="" /></a>Ian Dixon, producer of <a href="http://mediacenter.thepodcastnetwork.com/">The Media Center Show</a> podcast is embarking on the task of creating a <a href="http://mediacenter.thepodcastnetwork.com/2007/01/15/lets-build-up-a-list-of-devices-that-play-well-with-media-center/">resource for anyone putting together a media center PC based on Windows Vista</a>. <br /><br />The project, like so many others, is borne of personal frustration. Dixon's current TV tuner works just fine with Windows XP Media Center Edition, but is not supported by Vista. <br /><br />So here's how it works. He's setting up topics in his user forums. Right now, there's just a <a href="http://iandixon.co.uk/cs/forums/26/ShowForum.aspx">TV Card topic</a>. If you've got a TV card that does or does not work with Vista, write about it. Eventually he'll expand to other PVR related hardware components.<br />
<p><a href="http://iandixon.co.uk/cs/forums/26/ShowForum.aspx"><br /></a></p><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://mediacenter.thepodcastnetwork.com/2007/01/15/lets-build-up-a-list-of-devices-that-play-well-with-media-center/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/15/building-a-database-of-vista-compatible-pvr-hardware/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/forward/736208/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/15/building-a-database-of-vista-compatible-pvr-hardware/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br />]]></description><category>tv cards</category><category>tv tuner</category><category>tv tuners</category><category>TvCards</category><category>TvTuner</category><category>TvTuners</category><category>vista</category><category>vista media center</category><category>VistaMediaCenter</category><dc:creator>Brad Linder</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-01-15T11:26:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>How to use a TiVo like a Slingbox (sort of)</title><link>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/13/how-to-use-a-tivo-like-a-slingbox-sort-of/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/13/how-to-use-a-tivo-like-a-slingbox-sort-of/</guid><comments>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/13/how-to-use-a-tivo-like-a-slingbox-sort-of/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/hacks/" rel="tag">Hacks</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/apple/" rel="tag">Apple</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/tivo/" rel="tag">TiVo</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/diy/" rel="tag">DIY</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/home-networking/" rel="tag">Home Networking</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/streaming/" rel="tag">Streaming</a></p><br /><a href="http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=336141"><img vspace="2" hspace="2" border="0" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.pvrwire.com/media/2007/01/tivo.jpg"  alt="TiVo" /></a>Okay, I don't have a lot of experience performing TiVo hacks, so don't expect step by step instructions here, but kennybain over at the <a href="http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=336141">TiVo Community Forum</a> poses an interesting question: do you really need a Slingbox to watch TiVo recordings remotely?<br /><br />The answer is, kind of. Kennybain applied the <a href="http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=265929">"Zipper" hack</a> to his TiVo and installed <a href="http://tivotool.com/">TiVoTool </a>on his PowerBook. This allowed him to download and stream shows from his TiVo. And then he went and opened up some ports on his router allowing him to access his recordings from sites outside of his home network. He was even able to watch live TV, although it wasn't a particularly smooth stream.<br /><br />There's a few problems:<br />
<ol>
    <li>It's not secure.</li>
    <li>You can't change channels on live TV.</li>
    <li>It's really not secure.</li>
</ol>
But this does raise the question... if all it takes is a couple of software hacks to allow users to remotely access and stream their TiVo recordings, isn't this something TiVo could implement if it wanted to? Sure, <a href="http://www.zatznotfunny.com/2007-01/why-is-tivocom-selling-slingboxes/">TiVo recently started selling Slingboxes at the TiVo store</a>, but wouldn't it create a richer, fuller user experience to just build placeshifting into the TiVo box? As TiVo continues to add broadband features, <a href="http://www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/07/tivo-has-no-plans-to-add-slingbox-functionality-to-tivo-pvrs/">unlike my colleague Chris Tew</a>, I wouldn't be surprised if the company's working on something like this already. But given the rate of progress at TiVo, I wouldn't expect to see it anytime soon.<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.tivocommunity.com/tivo-vb/showthread.php?t=336141>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/13/how-to-use-a-tivo-like-a-slingbox-sort-of/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/forward/735349/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/13/how-to-use-a-tivo-like-a-slingbox-sort-of/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br />]]></description><category>placeshifting</category><category>slingbox</category><category>tivotool</category><category>zipper</category><dc:creator>Brad Linder</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-01-13T09:30:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Cheap TV tuner of the day: Sabrent card for $28.88</title><link>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/12/cheap-tv-tuner-of-the-day-sabrent-card-for-28-88/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/12/cheap-tv-tuner-of-the-day-sabrent-card-for-28-88/</guid><comments>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/12/cheap-tv-tuner-of-the-day-sabrent-card-for-28-88/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/tips/" rel="tag">Tips</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/diy/" rel="tag">DIY</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/bargains/" rel="tag">Bargains</a></p><br /><a href="www.shop4tech.com"><img vspace="2" hspace="2" border="0" align="top" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.pvrwire.com/media/2007/01/sabrent-tuner.jpg"  alt="Sabrent Tuner" /></a><br /><br />While we're on the subject of<a href="http://www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/12/building-an-htpc-on-the-cheap/"> putting together a cheap home theater PC</a>, how would you like a cheap TV Tuner/video capture card/FM tuner with a remote control?<br /><a href="http://www.shop4tech.com"><br />Shop4Tech</a>'s got a Sabrent card that does all of those things, for just $28.88, with free shipping. There's no way to link directly to the product page, but if you go to Shop4Tech's web site and search for "SBT-VC-TVFM," it should pop up.<br /><br />It's not surprising that we're seeing prices drop on these older TV tuners, with a new crop of HD tuners hitting the shelves, and CableCard tuners on the way. But if you don't need hi-def yet, I say snap em up while you can. I mean, this isn't as good as a deal for a <a href="http://www.pvrwire.com/2006/12/21/free-tv-tuner-after-rebate-google-checkout/">free TV tuner</a>, but under $30 is still a good price.<br /><br />[via <a href="http://www.techbargains.com/news_displayItem.cfm/79036">TechBargains</a>]<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.shop4tech.com/>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/12/cheap-tv-tuner-of-the-day-sabrent-card-for-28-88/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/forward/734786/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/12/cheap-tv-tuner-of-the-day-sabrent-card-for-28-88/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br />]]></description><category>cheap</category><category>discount</category><category>tv tuner</category><category>TvTuner</category><dc:creator>Brad Linder</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-01-12T09:30:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Building an HTPC on the cheap</title><link>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/12/building-an-htpc-on-the-cheap/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/12/building-an-htpc-on-the-cheap/</guid><comments>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/12/building-an-htpc-on-the-cheap/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/tips/" rel="tag">Tips</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/diy/" rel="tag">DIY</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/bargains/" rel="tag">Bargains</a></p><br /><a href="http://www.techtree.com/India/Guides/Building_a_Low-End_HTPC/551-78424-556-2.html"><img vspace="2" hspace="2" border="0" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.pvrwire.com/media/2007/01/zebronics-pluto.jpg"  alt="Zebronics Pluto" /></a>We've featured tips for building an i<a href="http://www.pvrwire.com/2006/12/14/cheap-media-center-pc-6-pci-tv-tuner-60-120gb-hard-drive/">nexpensive home theater PC</a> in the past. But this is the first guide I've highlighted... from India. Okay, not really that special a distinction, but <a href="http://www.techtree.com/India/Guides/Building_a_Low-End_HTPC/551-78424-556.html">Techtree India'</a>s put together a pretty nifty guide on building a budget HTCP, so I thought I'd share their recommendations (and my thoughts).<br /><br /><strong>Processor</strong>: AMD Athlon 64 3000+ because it's reasonably fast, and since it's a Socket AM2 chip, there's potential for upgrading.<br /><strong>Motherboard</strong>: The MSI K9GM2 has an onboard graphic accelerator, with support for TV-Out and NVIDIA's Pure Video Decoder. By getting a motherboard with onboard graphics and audio, you can save the money you would have spent on three separate devices.<br /><strong>RAM</strong>: Transcend 512MB DDR II 533MHz, because if you're going to blow a lot of money, you should blow it on the CPU, not the RAM in an HTPC. You can always get faster RAM or more memory later.<br /><span class="boxcontents"></span><strong>Case</strong>: The Zebronics Pluto is reasonably small, reasonably attractive, and looks good as a tower or on its side.<br /><strong>Hard Drive:</strong> Seagate Barracuda 160GB. Basically, put in as large a hard drive as you're comfortable with. They're a lot cheaper than they used to be.<br /><strong>DVD:</strong> DVD burners are cheaper than they used to be, so it's a good idea to pick one up rather than just a DVD player. It may or may not be obsolete by next year when everyone does or doesn't switch to a hi-def optical format. Techtree went with an LG GSAH-10N 16X DVD Writer.<br /><strong>TV Tuner: </strong>Compro's VideoMate TV PVR/FM M200 is a budget tuner with all the usual functions plus an FM tuner, and it comes with a remote.<br /><strong>Input Device:</strong> Techtree went with a Logitech Cordless Desktop S510 Media Remote, which comes with a wireless remote control, mouse and keyboard. If you're setting the system up in your living room and plan to use it for more than watching TV, this might be nice. But if your needs are basic, or you'd rather just plug in a keyboard for the rare times you need one, this might be a waste of money.<br /><strong>Operating System: </strong>An OEM copy of Microsoft Windows Media Center Edition 2005. If you're building a machine from scratch, the only cheaper solution is to go with Linux and MythTV, because you do need an operating system anyway, so why not get one with build in media center functions? <br /><br />If I did my currency conversion correctly, Techtree's system would set you back about $711 US dollars. Not too bad for what you get. You could cut corners if you don't need a case that looks good in the living room, find a few items on sale, and skip the wireless mouse and remote. <br /><span class="boxcontents"></span><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.techtree.com/India/Guides/Building_a_Low-End_HTPC/551-78424-556-6.html>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/12/building-an-htpc-on-the-cheap/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/forward/734768/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/12/building-an-htpc-on-the-cheap/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br />]]></description><category>budget</category><category>cheap</category><category>how to</category><category>HowTo</category><dc:creator>Brad Linder</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-01-12T08:59:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Poor man's home entertainment for under $1000?</title><link>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/08/poor-mans-home-entertainment-for-under-1000/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/08/poor-mans-home-entertainment-for-under-1000/</guid><comments>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/08/poor-mans-home-entertainment-for-under-1000/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/general-1/" rel="tag">General</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/hacks/" rel="tag">Hacks</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/support/" rel="tag">Support</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/tips/" rel="tag">Tips</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/diy/" rel="tag">DIY</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/home-networking/" rel="tag">Home Networking</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/streaming/" rel="tag">Streaming</a></p><br /><a href="http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=151074"><img width="200" vspace="2" hspace="2" height="129" border="1" align="right" alt="Router" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.pvrwire.com/media/2007/01/router.jpg" /></a>One of the big topics at this year's CES is 'digital connections', ie. accessing media on different platforms and moving it around without the need for complex systems, setups or hard work.<br /><br />As things move on, year-on-year, a big aspect of the digital home will not only be moving digital media around the home, but using your PC (or similar device) to control various other devices around your home.<br /><br />But is it currently possible to set up a system on a wireless home network so that you can view your photos, videos and listen to your music from anywhere in the house -- on a budget of less than $1000, using components bought from high street stores?<br /><br />Unfortunately, the answer is mostly no. Maybe $10,000 would be more like it. <br /><br />However, with an 802.11n router, a few cheap upgrades to the various wireless devices around the house, and $500 worth of network storage -- and hook it all up to your current setup (presuming you have more than one PC) and you could be well on your way to a makeshift home entertainment system.<br /><br />Unfortunately, this NY Times-based article doesn't really give any solutions as such -- more suggestions -- but I'd like PVR Wire's readers to give us an example of the setup you have at home (along with the rough costs) to give people an alternative to the expensive products being released this week in Las Vegas.<br /><br />List your devices, model numbers, cost -- and how you went about setting things up in the comments section.<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.financialexpress.com/fe_full_story.php?content_id=151074>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/08/poor-mans-home-entertainment-for-under-1000/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/forward/731741/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/08/poor-mans-home-entertainment-for-under-1000/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br />]]></description><category>digital home</category><category>DigitalHome</category><category>media extenders</category><category>MediaExtenders</category><category>routers</category><dc:creator>Martin Conaghan</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-01-08T15:30:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>How To Upgrade To Windows Media Center Edition</title><link>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/06/how-to-upgrade-to-windows-media-center-edition/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/06/how-to-upgrade-to-windows-media-center-edition/</guid><comments>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/06/how-to-upgrade-to-windows-media-center-edition/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/general-1/" rel="tag">General</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/software/" rel="tag">Software</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/tips/" rel="tag">Tips</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/microsoft/" rel="tag">Microsoft</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/media-center-edition/" rel="tag">Media Center Edition</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/diy/" rel="tag">DIY</a></p><br /><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=196800855&amp;pgno=1&amp;queryText="><img width="250" vspace="2" hspace="2" height="188" border="0" align="right" alt="Windows MCE" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.pvrwire.com/media/2007/01/microsoft-mce.jpg" /></a><a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=196800855&amp;pgno=1&amp;queryText=">Information Week</a> has a brilliant tutorial which guides you through the process of upgrading your Windows XP PC to a Windows Media Center Edition PC.<br /><br />However, this is a lot more complicated than just sticking a CD in your PC, clicking a few "next" buttons and hoping for the best. <br /><br />Unfortunately Microsoft only ever intended MCE to be installed by original equipment manufacturers (OEMs) who sell PCs and Microsoft does not offer any upgrade solution to take a regular XP PC and made it a Media Center.<br /><br />Fortunately it is actually possible to purchase Windows MCE in OEM packages for about $110, and once you have a copy you can continue with the installation, which may be a little difficult for the non technically minded, but <a href="http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=196800855&amp;pgno=1&amp;queryText=">Information Week</a> should help you through it.<h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href=http://www.informationweek.com/news/showArticle.jhtml?articleID=196800855&amp;pgno=1&amp;queryText=>Read</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/06/how-to-upgrade-to-windows-media-center-edition/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/forward/730381/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/06/how-to-upgrade-to-windows-media-center-edition/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br />]]></description><category>mce</category><category>microsoft</category><category>windows</category><dc:creator>Chris Tew</dc:creator><dc:date>2007-01-06T15:39:00+00:00</dc:date></item><item><title>Burning PVR recordings to DVD</title><link>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2006/12/27/burning-pvr-recordings-to-dvd/</link><guid isPermaLink="true">http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2006/12/27/burning-pvr-recordings-to-dvd/</guid><comments>http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2006/12/27/burning-pvr-recordings-to-dvd/#comments</comments><description><![CDATA[<p>Filed under: <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/general-1/" rel="tag">General</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/tips/" rel="tag">Tips</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/dvd/" rel="tag">DVD</a>, <a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/category/diy/" rel="tag">DIY</a></p><br /><img width="150" vspace="2" hspace="2" height="59" border="0" align="right" src="http://www.blogcdn.com/www.pvrwire.com/media/2006/12/toshiba-rs-tx20-pic.gif" alt="toshiba hybrid dvd pvr" />Burning recorded video from a PVR to a DVD recorder is something that a lot of us want to do but unfortunately it is not always such an easy task. Here is a brief outline of some of the ways you can go about burning PVR recordings to a DVD:<br />
<ul>
    <li>Connect your PVR to your TV and DVD recorder using RCA composite cables, S-Video cables or the traditional coaxial cable. You can then, depending on the setup on your PVR:<br /><strong>a)</strong> use the "record to VCR" feature on your PVR such as on a <a href="http://www.pvrwire.com/2006/10/18/transferring-recorded-shows-on-a-scientific-atlanta-pvr-to-a-dvd/">Sceintific Atlantic PVR</a>.<br /><strong>b) </strong>playback PVR recordings through your TV and then, while they play, <a href="http://dvr.about.com/od/howtos/ht/htDVRtoDVD.htm">record them</a> from the TV to your DVD recorder.</li>
    <li>Connect your PVR to a PC and export recordings from your PVR to your PC's hard drive. Different models of PVRs will have different PC software for the job and some won't have this functionality at all. If you have a TiVo the softare to use is TiVo2Go. Once the recording is on your PC you simply convert and burn the copied recordings from your PC and onto a DVD using a DVD writer and DVD burning software such as Nero. <a href="http://www.zatznotfunny.com/nero.htm">Dave Zatz</a> shows you how to do it with a TiVo PVR and the Nero software. There are also some instructions on how to do this with a <a href="http://www.pvrwire.com/2006/11/15/beginners-guide-to-extraction-with-a-directtivo-hd-or-non-hd/">DirecTiVo</a>.<br /></li>
    <li>By far the easiest option is simply to get a hybrid DVD and hard drive PVR such as the <a href="http://www.pvrwire.com/2006/08/22/sony-rdr-hxd560-dvd-and-hard-disk-drive-recorder/">Sony RDR-HXD560</a> or the <a href="http://www.tivo.com/2.1.4.asp">TiVo Toshiba hybrid PVR</a>.</li>
</ul><h6 style="clear: both; padding: 8px 0 0 0; height: 2px; font-size: 1px; border: 0; margin: 0; padding: 0;"></h6><a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2006/12/27/burning-pvr-recordings-to-dvd/" rel="bookmark" title="Permanent link to this entry">Permalink</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/forward/725192/" title="Send this entry to a friend via email">Email this</a>&nbsp;|&nbsp;<a href="http://www.www.pvrwire.com/2006/12/27/burning-pvr-recordings-to-dvd/#comments" title="View reader comments on this entry">Comments</a><br />]]></description><category>dvd</category><category>dvr</category><category>pvr</category><category>record</category><category>recorder</category><category>recording</category><category>tivo</category><dc:creator>Chris Tew</dc:creator><dc:date>2006-12-27T18:00:00+00:00</dc:date></item></channel></rss>