How to Record Multiple Shows At Once with a Media Center PC

Windows Media Center PC allows you to have great entertainment in comfort. It facilitates recording of multiple live TV shows simultaneously. This key function of synchronous recording is possible due to the multiple tuners in the system. The Media Center PC 2005 version that has become popular in the United States supports two standard tuners. The users have advantage of an additional over-at-air-DTV (Digital Television), HDTV (High Definition Television) tuner. What would you do if your Media Center has only a single tuner? Can you still record multiple shows? If the configuration supports it, you can install/equip it with additional tuners.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Inspect your Media Center PC configuration. Standard Media Center PCs support up to two analog and one DTV/HDTV tuner (a total of three tuners) that enables you to record multiple shows.
2. Learn more about devices that facilitate recording of multiple programs in case your Media Center PC has only a single tuner. A majority of Media Center PCs are usually equipped with a single TV tuner that allows you to watch TV through cable, satellite or antenna source.
3. Learn ways to equip your Media Center PC to handle multiple tuners. For example, if your Media Center PC has two tuners, you can record two shows while you watch a third show.
4. Go online. Use search engines such as Yahoo or Google to find out how to equip your Media Center PC with additional tuners.
5. Visit the Windows Marketplace to learn ways of buying and installing additional tuners. Explore the TV tuner cards options. You can buy an additional TV tuner card with varying price depending on its manufacturer, quality and capability.
6. Select a tuner card and buy it online.
7. Install the TV tuner card into your Media Center PC. Use the user’s guide to learn more about the installation process. Refer to technical documentation provided by Microsoft if you have further problems.
8. Explore the Extender to enhance your experience. Take a look at MCE 2005s accessories such as Media Center Extenders and Xbox Extenders. You can record multiple programs in different areas of the house using the Media Center PC technology. You can have your MCE (Media Center Edition) PC in one room and watch TV in another room through home LAN.

Tips & Warnings

• Make sure the configuration of your Media Center PC supports multiple tuners. If the configuration does not provide support for multiple tuners, you will need to custom built your PC to allow this function before you can run and use the MCE 2005 edition on it.
• Learn more about extender features such as recording Live TV as it includes support for dual tuners. You can also access and play digital music, watch videos, and watch pictures stored on your Media Center PC.

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