how can u tell if your computer already has tv capture card?

[knfused]

I have a sony vaio computer. I think it's about 5 years old but, it might still have some kick left in it. I want to see if  I can make a dvr out of it. the specs of it is as follows  pentium 4  cpu 2.8 GHz 2.79 GHz  512 mb ram. Its a Giga Pocket model. I believe my wife deleted the giga pocket progamming, but my question is does the machine even have a capture card, and does the machine have enough to get started on converting to allow me to make it into a dvr machine. I have 120gb hard drive with a 80gb external drive on the side I appreciate any and all help and or responses. I basically just wnt to be able to record sporting events while my wife is watching somethig else on another channel?

[LoganSix]

Just a newb answer here, but I would assume that if there is a Coaxial connector sticking out some where, then it would have a capture card.

I think the specs should be enough to be a DVR, but you would just have to add the capture/tuner card and software.

[Miller]

The computer should be fine. I use a 2.8 for my main machine and it doubles as a pvr in the background and I don't notice. A visual inspection is the easiest way. Just look cfor the tv plug (called coax) in the back and see if it's there or not. You could also download one of those computer hardware analyser programs and it should tell you if you have one installed. I would think you could also call Sony if you wanted to and they might know. For that matter, if you bought it straight from Sony and you know the model I'm sure we could look it up.

If it doesn't have a card (or has a bad capture card) the easiest way to get going is to buy a hvr1600 from Hauppauge. It's a solid card that has an analog tuner and a digital tuner. You have to open your computer to install it, but that's what this site is all about right? If you buy the retail version it will come with a remote and IR blaster/receiver. You'll also want to check out the pvr software out there. The big 3 in my opinion are GBPVR, SageTV, and BeyondTV. Microsoft's MediaCenter is an option if you already have it and there are some other smaller ones out there as well. The pvr software will work with your tuner card and give you that Tivo feel.

[knfused]

jedi master miller, logan-six thanks for the replies. my computer model is pcv-rs 430G. and yes it has a jack in the back that looks like the connection jack to the cable box. the only question to me I guess is how good the card itself is as you stated miller. I'll try to get in contact with sony and see what info they can give me about the card and get back to you guys on how I should continue. thanks for your insights

[knfused]

I contacted sony, asked about  tv capture card the techie said that it is a Sony MPEG real time encoder board drive. Now  I don't know what to make of this. Is it a capture card or not the techie made it seem as so but didn't exactly call it a card. soI don't know What do you make of it. He also gave me a link to reinstall  Sony's GigaPocket program which I didn't even know was on the machine in the first place. can I go foward with what this machine has, or will I have to get a new card, program and so on to get started. Has anyone made a pvr with Gigapocket machine out here any replies will be appreciated.  THANKS!!

[Miller]

I'm trying to find more info on your card, but haven't ofund much yet... here's the general rundown. There are two kinds of tuner cards, software-based and hardware-based. If it's software based it has the code to be a tuner, but relies on the cpu to do all of the work. This means your computer really can't do anything else while you're recording a show otherwise it affects the quality of the recording. A hardware based tuner has the power to do the recording almost entirely itself and affects the cpu very little. This is the kind of tuner you want. I would try the tuner you have and see how it goes. If you're getting good quality and you're happy with it then give it a shot. Otherwise you might have to buy a new tuner card. The rest of your system should still be fine. If you want to use any third-party pvr program though you'll have to make sure the tuner is supported or the pvr software won't work.

[Miller]

It looks like SageTv might support this card if you want to look at them. They have a free trial so you can see what it's like.

www.sage.tv

[knfused]

Thanks for the replies master miller, i'm going to try it out in a couple of weeks time ( I'll be on vacation, so i'll have the time to mess around) my question  is basically the setup. of the wiring I guess. do I just connect the lead cable wire to my computer, or is there a way to split the wire so that it's connected to the television and computer at the same time. if so what other pieces of hardware will I possibly need? MUCH THANKS AGAIN.!!

[Miller]

I would buy a splitter (2 in 1) and split the cable as it comes out of the wall. Send one to your tv and the other to your tuner card. Then you'll need to hook your videocard to your tv if you want to watch your recorded shows on the tv.

[knfused]

I found out that the giga pocket program on the machine wasn't deleted, just hidden so I attempted to use it but I could only view the broadcast stations in my area, no cable stations despite many chats with sony techies. So I guess i'm gonna need a new card.when i get some moolah i'll get the one you suggested. Question how do you hook the videocard to the tv?

[Miller]

Accorinng to what I could find you have an ATI 9200 in your computer for a videocard. And if your card matches this picture of a 9200 then you would use either the s-video or the yellow composite port to get the video from your computer to the tv. You would have to connect sound as well.