Chapter 3. Media Center System #2: The Digital Video Recorder

In the last chapter we discussed a Media Center system designed primarily for audio-related uses. Media Center isn’t limited to just audio, of course, and there are plenty of video-related activities that make a Media Center system worthwhile.

In this chapter, then, we’ll discuss the various ways you might use a Media Center PC to watch various types of video—from DVDs to live television to recorded television. Then we’ll look at what type of Media Center PC is best for these activities, and how it fits in with your existing home theater system.

The Goal: Watching and Recording Television and Movies

If you have a home theater system, big or small, you watch a lot of video programming. ...

Get Creating a Digital Home Entertainment System with Windows Media Center now with the O’Reilly learning platform.

O’Reilly members experience books, live events, courses curated by job role, and more from O’Reilly and nearly 200 top publishers.