Video Options for your DVR
My video card has all three outputs and was $100 new. On eBay, you could get something similar for less than $50!
What good is a homemade TiVo without a way to connect your TV? Today’s article delves into the world of video output - the bridge between your computer and your television. We’ll be taking a peek at the different outputs that might reside on the back of your video card.
VGA
VGA is the most common output but this only connects to computer monitors, so it’s not too helpful for our homemade DVR.
S-Video
S-Video is much more useful. It’s a decently high quality signal and almost every TV has an S-Video port. Unless you have high definition needs, s-video should suffice. Make sure your video card has this port.
DVI/HDMI
DVI and HDMI are digital outputs that are useful for connecting to LCD and Plasma screens. Only new, high definition TVs will have these inputs. Personally, my card has a DVI-out but my TV won’t support it. It’s nice to have since I know someday I’ll use it.
A word of warning about DVI/HDMI: these formats can carry copy-protection signals which may cause problems with your DVR in the
future.
My video card has VGA, S-Video, and DVI outputs and was under $100 new. On eBay, you could get something similar for less than $50. If you want a high end video card (maybe you play computer games on your DVR) you could pay hundreds. Whatever you go with, be certain that your card and your TV have matching inputs and outputs.