Like to watch television? PVRs, or personal video recorders, offer great conveniences, such as instant replays, commercial skipping and digital recording. But you don't need to buy a separate unit. With the right add-ons, your home computer can do the job.

Get TV reception first

First, your computer needs a TV tuner card. It receives the television signal from an antenna or cable box. Some computers include one. Otherwise, you'll find most cards require Windows XP and a minimum of 256 megabytes of RAM and an 800-MHz processor. For best results, double the RAM and processor speed.

Tuner cards are sold in either internal or external versions. If you're squeamish, buy an external card. These are easier to install and connect via the computer's USB port. They also work with laptops. But you will need a second USB port for the remote control.

Most cards include recording software. The software also provides access to TV program guides on the Web. Before you buy, make sure recording software is included. Otherwise, you must buy it separately.

SageTV ($80) and SnapStream's Beyond TV ($70) are two recording programs.