Holiday shopping Q&A - Best computer DVR

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HOLIDAY SHOPPING Q&A: Get the answers to your gift-buying questions

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Best computer DVR

(November 3, 2004)

I want a new computer with DVR capability. Is Windows XP Media Center the way to go, or is there a cheaper, better alternative?

Submitted by: btnease, CNET forums

Matthew Elliott
Senior editor,
CNET Reviews

Nothing says holidays more than pausing live TV, but doing it on your PC can be tricky.

We've seen third-party DVR apps from MSI and Leadtek that have limited features and an unattractive interface. ATI's TV Wonder app, which accompanies its multimedia All-in-Wonder cards, is a better bet. It's easy to use and has a polished look to it.

We still think Windows Media Center is the best desktop DVR, however. It's so tightly integrated into Windows XP that your media files are all neatly organized and easy to access. And its interface is, for our money, second to none. The problem is, you have to buy a new PC in order to get it. If you're in the market for a new PC, great. If not, we suggest you look at ATI's TV Wonder options.

See the next question

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