To start, obtain a PC to use as a dedicated recorder with Win2000, XP, Vista, or Windows 7 as OS possibilities.
I have 2 PVR systems, both with XP (one later upgraded to Windows 7 Ultimate). One is a dual PIII Tualatin 1.4GHz with 1.5GB RAM with 2 PVR-250s and 1 PVR150. Originally this system was a dual PIII 1GHz Coppermine with 512 RAM, and worked fine in that configuration. Feb 2009: This system while having no issues, has been seriously upgraded. It is now a Prescott 3.0 GHz proc with 2 GB RAM, it also has 2xPVR-150s and 2xPVR-250s.
The other system was a core2duo (E4700) with 2GB RAM and a pair of HVR-1600s. This second system has been upgraded slightly to have a 2.8GHz core2duo (E6300) with an Intel made motherboard, in prep for a Ceton card (cableCARD!!!!) as the existing mainboard would not allow a PCIx1 card longer than 5 inches as the RAM was in the way. It was also upgraded to Windows 7 Ultimate.
The video card used should have composite, S-video, or component video out (for TV hookups) and stereo sound output (lineout/headphone jack). DVI or HDMI is also viable if you have HDMI inputs on your TV. Any valid audio or video source which your TV and computer have in common is OK. Most TVs have a Video 1 or Video 2 intended for DVD or game consoles, these hookups can be used with your computer.
System should be able to accept 2 tuner cards to take best advantage of recording. Some cards have multiple tuners so some single tuners will also work, such as the PVR-500 (analog) or the HVR-2250 (analog/digital hybrid).
Hauppauge tuners are highly recommended: 150, 250, 1600, 1800, 2250 etc. Other brands are supported, but overwhelmingly, Hauppauge is the most widespread in use.
Remote desktop application such as WinVNC. An application which takes over the console and simulates a user sitting in front of the computer is best so what is seen on the TV is the same as the remote computer is seeing. This is very important as the resolution used with the TV is often insufficient to read any dialog prompts the system may show while configuring or performing maintenance of the system.
PVR application, GB-PVR.
TV Schedule application, either YApi2XML or mc2xml (alt). YAPI is easily used by beginners, but is no longer being maintained by the developer (active military service) and Yahoo is sometimes unavailable for a week at a time. MC2XML is easily used; however configuration must be performed at a DOS prompt.
Install the cards(s) and install the drivers for the devices. Next, select the TV XML provider and determine the correct lineup based on your zip code. Once the XML file has been generated with the appropriate lineup, install GBPVR. Add capture sources based on the cards installed on the system. Use names to distinguish between cards of the same model such as A, B, C etc. Point the TV XML source to the XML file generated by XML TV application of your choosing. The device number selected for each card should correspond to the PCI slot the card resides in, a motherboard diagram for your system will usually show each slot with a number. Some motherboards even have numbers printed on the circuit board.