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In an earlier edition of eWorld, in the Tip-Off column, you had talked of recording TV programmes.

You had said, "To record TV programmes on to your system's hard disk, you will need a TV tuner card. It is an add-on card, such as a 3D card or sound card. The card has provision to plug in your cable and other video devices. Usually the card comes with recording software with which you can surf channels and watch your favourite channels on your PC, like a TV. Alternatively, you can also record programmes using the recording software. The software will capture the video you want and write it in .mpg or .avi format to the location you specify. Most software also provide timer facility. You can time your recorder to record your favourite channel when you are not present."

Could you please explain this? Will I have to leave the TV switched `on' to record programmes in my absence?

Babu

It is possible to record one's favourite programme, telecast at a particular time, in one's absence.

We can program the software to record the program on a selected channel at a specified time. We do not need to be present at the computer to record the programme. As soon as the programme schedule is known, we can configure the software to record it.

The computer has to be powered `On' at that time and the recording software should be running. The recording software may be made to run on the computer like a service or like an application. If it is an application, it should be started and can be kept minimised.

There is no need for the television to be kept Powered On to record the programme. If the television is switched on at that time the program can be viewed on it, otherwise it cannot be watched on TV but will still get recorded in the computer hard disk.

So, In our absence too, we can boot the computer and configure the settings for recording a programme. The monitor can be switched Off, and only the base unit kept On. The speakers can also be turned Off. Please remember that the Base unit should be run with a Power Backup.

External TV tuner card

I have an HCL Beanstalk PC equipped with multimedia player and Windows XP. I have gone for BSNL's Data One connection. I view the TV channels provided by the cable operator through an external TV tuner

Card on my PC. I am not interested in installing an internal card since I fear that current flows through cable may damage the CPU of the PC.

Can I record audio or video in my PC while viewing any programme on any channel?

Vipin Bansal

It is better to have an external TV tuner card rather than an internal one. To some extent, the reason you have mentioned holds good. For, any high voltage that is fed into the cable due to wrong cabling or a short circuit can damage the TV tuner card. A malfunctioning TV tuner card can damage the PC. This is the risk one faces with the internal card.

As for the second part of your query, yes, you can record a TV programme in your PC, provided the feature is available in the TV tuner card software.

Solutions by P. Natarajan

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