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I want to record TV programmes on my computer. I know that one can use software such as WinDVR for this. The problem I face is that I have seen cards in the market which show this kind of recording can be done with/without using the CPU, but how do I make sure that after I buy the card it will record the programmes using software like winDVR 3.0.? Should I go in for a more expensive card? Please clarify.

Apurv

There are two varieties of TV components which will both deliver TV on your system monitor. One is an external device that has all the components in itself like a TV board, and additionally has a digital output to which you have to plug in your monitor signal cable and you will have the TV on your monitor.

In this case, the external device just uses your system monitor as an output device.

There is no link between your system and the device, so recording from the system in this case is not possible. But in case of a "TV Card" which is an internal add-on card, it goes into your PCI slot. It is the one that uses your system to do its work.

Most of these cards have capturing ability. The card comes with a supporting software which will have capturing programs using which you can record videos. You can usually find whether the card supports `capturing' by looking up the information at the back of the card's casing or pamphlets. If there is any information supporting `capturing', then this device supports recording.

You can get internal TV Cards with prices starting from around Rs 1,700. The quality of the recording will vary depending on the capturing quality of the card. You will need to go for expensive cards only if you want better quality.

Please e-mail us at eworld@thehindu.co.in

if you have queries on computer usage or if you find an interesting way of using a computer.

Solution by G. Rajah

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