PVR stands for 'personal video recorder'. This is a piece of computer software that allows you to record TV programs.
This really doesn't do justice to the programs that exist today. It would be better to describe them as multimedia centres than to call them recorders. They now also allow you to play games, watch picture slide shows, listen to music and much more. It has become almost everything you need (excluding the TV of course).
The pictures above show two of the main Linux self build systems. The picture on the left is Mythtv (by Isaac Richards). This is a very complete package of software and has a very good menu system making it into a home entertainment unit. The one on the right is VDR (from Klaus Schmidinger). This system is based round the recording of the tv pictures so everything is shown over the picture on the 'on screen display'. This one has plugins for almost everything you can imagine and has a great team of programmers behind it.
These system can be quite a handful to install. This site is aimed at making the whole experience a bit easier. I am a network technician and I had problems getting my system up and running straight away. Everyone I have spoken to on the subject had a bumpy ride on the way. As well as step by step guides, this is also a place to discuss and argue about the finer points of making the most amazing package you and your friends have ever seen.
UPDATE - We have added on some HOW-TO pages for a few different PVR or TV programs. This now includes windows software (due to popular demand). One of the most complete windows packages is showshifter as this includes the multi media options like viewing pictures and watching DVDs that the linux PVR fans are used to.
As always, we are looking for people to write HOW-TO Guides to help everyone. It is very simple to get involved. Sign up on the forum and post away.
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