Record TV on your computer using Windows Vista

Media Center has been around in various forms since 2002 although, until recently, it was a separate version of Windows intended for new PCs. An improved version of Media Center is part of Windows Vista Home Premium and Ultimate. It features a graphically rich, remote control driven interface that allows you to navigate easily through media such as photos, videos and movies on your home PC.

On systems with a TV tuner installed, Windows Media Center can function as a personal video recorder (PVR) to automatically record your favourite TV shows and pause and rewind live TV. It supports a wide range of TV signals and offers built-in support for archiving TV shows directly to DVDs. Here's how to do it.

1. Go to 'Add Recording'

There isn’t an option to create a new recording within the TV + Movies section of the main menu because this facility is actually contained as a sub-item called Add Recording, in Recorded TV.

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2. Select the Show You Want

Media Center makes life easy by giving you a number of options when searching for shows. Selecting Search will prompt you to enter either a title or keyword to create a one-time or series recording.

3. Pick Your Record Times

From your matches, look up the shows’ play-out times. After selecting the one you wish to record, you will be given information to help you decide whether to record just that one show, or every show in the series.

4. Use 'Search' as a TV Guide

A great feature under Search is Categories. This can do a great job of becoming your own personalised television guide. I use this facility to get a list of all the films to be screened in a two-week period.

5. Advanced Recording

By selecting Keyword on the Add Recording screen, you can automatically record everything which contains specific matches to the key words (eg, the name of an actor or director) in the guide information.

6. In Your Own Time

Your programme should now appear in the View Scheduled list under Recorded TV. Now you can watch what you want, when you want and, if you have a Media Center Extender such as XBox 360, where you want.

Need more help? Check out our other guides on using Windows Vista to watch and record TV and movies.