Some consider home theater PCs (HTPCs) to be the best DVR solution available. They generally give you more freedom and access to more content than you would with a cable or satellite DVR or TiVo. To make your HTPC life as easy as possible, we're going to show you how to set up a TV in Windows by installing a TV tuner in Windows Media Center.
How to Set Up TV in Windows Media Center with a CableCARD Tuner
When installing add-on cards on a computer, USB tuners are the easiest, as you simply plug them into an available USB port. If you are installing an internal tuner, shut down your PC, open the case, and plug the tuner into the appropriate slot. Once it is properly seated, close the case and restart your PC.
Before you enter Media Center, install the drivers for your new tuner. These are required for your PC to communicate with the tuner.
Now that you have the tuner physically installed, you can start with the fun part. Again, depending on the type of tuner you are installing, the screens you see may vary slightly, but these are the most typical.