Hi, I have searched all over the place and cannot find a source for this build I am wanting to make. I have a plain (non DVR) DirecTV satellite system and I want to build a Windows XP Media Center PC to use with it. I have not found any satellite tuner cards for DirecTV so I am convinced that I will have to use my DirecTV receiver to decode the signal and provide the audio/video feed to my PC. Here are the questions I have: 1. Is it possible to use the DirecTV program guide on the Windows XP machine, or does it have to be viewed on the satellite receiver? 2. If the program guide can be accessed through the Media Center PC, is it possible to schedule recording through it (i.e. Select the program in media center and schedule it to record.)? 3. If the program guide can be accessed through the Media Center PC, is it possible to change the channel on the DirecTV receiver through the media center PC? 4. Is it possible to build a system that will allow me to watch tv on one channel and record on another? Will this require 2 satellite receivers? 5. If all of the above is possible to do, what do I need to buy to make it all work? I don't need to know all the hardware required to build the PC (i.e. mobo, cpu, ram, etc) just specific components required for the functionality I described above. Basically, I am wanting to build a PC that will perform all the functions of a DirecTV DVR.... without the ridiculous monthly service charge. I've built several PCs, but this is a new area for me. Thanks!
if you are going to use that box then youll still have to pay a monthly charge.. it doesnt become free just because your watching it through your pc.
I think you may have misunderstood what I was saying. The fees I am trying to avoid are the fees charged to use a DirecTV DVR, not the fees for DirecTV service. To use any DVR such as Tivo or DirecTV DVR, they charge a monthly (or lifetime) fee to use it. If you build a Windows Media Center based DVR, there are no fees to use the DVR.
ITSPP A couple of things, 1. Right now there are no commerically available Directv PC Cards. So you will have to use your outboard Receiver. 2. You might want to check out TitanTv.com. I have not used it for this, but they do have a how to on using their service to schedule and change your channels. 3. As for recording one channel and watching another, I would think you will need two Directv receivers, and two TV capture cards. Robert
Now with that all said, Lets think about this. So you don't want to pay the Tivo or Directv DVR monthly charges,,,,well, if you figure in the additional receiver charge for a second Receiver, and the additional charges for the input cards for your PC, why bother. Just call directv and have them give you a free DVR. Pay the minimal monthly charge (i.e. which is the same for an additional receiver), and wala,,,you have your DVR. Robert
