How to Connect an Existing Cable Television Box to Your Computer to Record Shows

by Maya Austen, Demand Media

Windows 7 comes preinstalled with a program called "Windows Media Center." This program is designed to allow you to use your computer as a photo, music and video entertainment hub. For example, use Windows Media Center to watch TV on your computer. Also use the Media Center application to record shows, essentially turning your computer into a DVR. To do all of this, you must hook up your cable box to the computer using a "TV tuner."

Connect Cable Box to Computer

Step 1

Load the TV tuner's installation CD disc into the computer's CD-ROM drive. Wait for the installation wizard to open. Follow the wizard's on-screen instructions to install the drivers, needed to operate the TV tuner, onto the computer. (This Step does not need to be repeated on this computer.)

Step 2

Insert the TV tuner device into one of the computer's USB ports.

Step 3

Verify that the main coaxial cable, which is connected to the cable wall outlet installed by your cable company's technician, is plugged into the RF "Cable" In terminal located on the rear panel of the cable box.

Step 4

Use another coaxial cable to connect the cable box's RF Out terminal to the RF terminal on the TV tuner device.

Step 5

Open the Start menu on your computer. Type "windows media center" in the "Search" box. Click "Windows Media Center" in the results to open the application.

Step 6

Scroll down the Windows Media Center Start screen. Highlight "Tasks." Select "Settings," "General," "Windows Media Center Setup" then "Setup TV signal."

Step 7

Follow the on-screen instructions to configure Windows Media Center to pick up your cable signals.

Record Shows

Step 1

Launch Windows Media Center.

Step 2

Scroll down to "TV" on the Windows Media Center Start screen. Select "Guide."

Step 3

Browse through the Guide to locate the show you want to record.

Step 4

Right-click on the show listing. Select "Record" to record this one selected airing of the program. Select "Record Series" to program Windows Media Center to automatically record the selected program whenever it airs on this channel.

Tips & Warnings

  • To playback a recorded show, scroll to "TV" on the Windows Media Center Start screen. Select "Recorded TV." Click on the recorded show you would like to play back and select "Play."

References

  • Microsoft: Getting Started with Windows Media Center
  • Microsoft: Record TV with Windows Media Center

About the Author

Maya Austen began freelance writing in 2009. She has written for many online publications on a wide variety of topics ranging from physical fitness to amateur astronomy. She's also an author and e-book publisher. Austen has a Bachelor of Arts in communications from the New England Institute of Art and currently lives in Boston, Mass.