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6 Best Record TV Software for Windows PC [2024 Guide]
6 min. read
Updated onJanuary 8, 2024
updated onJanuary 8, 2024
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Key notes
TV-recording software tools, otherwise known as PVRs (personal video recorders), enable you to recordtelevisionon your Windows desktop if you have a supported tuner card.
A lot of media centers are personal video recorders, but there are also PVR programs designed more specifically for watching and recording liveTVwith TV tuner cards. They provide live TV-recording options and include channel guides.
Windows Media Centerwas once the PVR software bundled with Windows that you could utilize for recording TV programs. However, many users now need a replacement PVR asMicrosoft removed the WMC from Win 10.
Thus, third-party PVR software is becoming increasingly prevalent on the Windows platform. These are a few of the personal video recorders that can replace the WMC.
What are the best record TV software for Windows 10/11?
PlayOn.TV
PlayOn Home, originally named PlayOn Desktop, is a powerful TV recording software that lets you record streaming video. You can record from your favorite streaming services such as Netflix, Hulu, Amazon, Disney+, and HBO Max.
Once a TV or movie has been recorded, you can watch it whenever and anywhere you choose, even when you’re not connected to the internet. Cast it to your TV or use your mobile device to take it with you using the PlayOn Cloud.
When you watch, PlayOn will even skip the advertisements for you. PlayOn Home transforms your PC into a full-featured DVR for video streaming.
PlayOn’s recording feature works as a DVR for streaming videos, generating a MPEG-4 file that can be uploaded to supported media devices.
You may then watch these movies without needing to connect to the Internet. The recording feature inserts chapter markings at the positions of ads. This function allows you to instantly skip commercials whether watching through the PlayOn Desktop player on a PC or any other standalone media player.
PlayOn.TV
NextPVR
NextPVRis a freeware PVR application for Windows, more specifically designed for live TV playback and recording.
This software is one of the best backend servers for recordingTVthat you can use with media centers. You can also utilizeNextPVRwithout any front-end software as it has an intuitive UI that includes a TV guide.
NextPVRis compatible with a range of DVB, ATSC, QAM, analog, and DMB-T devices. The software includes a web application with which you can manage your recordings.
NextPVRhas a variety of recording type options to select from, such asRecord Weekly,Record Weekends,Record Season,andRecord Once. NextPVR users can also schedule recordings via its TV guide.
⇒Get NextPVR
Kodi
You might have already heard ofKodi, which is afull-blown media centeryou can use to play music, videos, movie streams, and image slideshows.
You can also watch and record liveTVwith Kodi, thanks to its extensive repository ofplugins. It’s open-source software compatible with Windows, Linux, macOS, Android, and iOS.
Kodi is front-end software that depends upon PVR plug-ins for its live television recording. Thus, you can’t watch or record any liveTVwith Kodi unless you add a PVR plug-in to it.
Fortunately, Kodi has plenty of those; and NextPVR, MediaPortal, and MythTV are just a few of the PVR plug-ins for the media center. Once you’ve installed one of the required plugins, you can schedule recordings via Kodi’s TV guide.
⇒Get Kodi
MediaPortal
MediaPortalis another excellent media center with which you can record liveTV. This open-source media center has one of the best personal video recorders, offering support for numerous tuner cards. It also comes with its server setup instructions.
With MediaPortal, you can watch more than 10,000 tuned channels. It boasts an extensive TV guide with which you can organize channel groups, search for programs, and check scheduled recordings.
You can select various recording type options, modify the bit rate for recordings, configure settings before and after recordings, and choose for how long to store the recorded files.
Furthermore, the media center has aDedicated TV serveroption that enables its users to set up one PC as a TV server for other client desktops that don’t have tuner cards.
⇒Get MediaPortal
Plex Media Server
Plex Media Serveris a client-server media center you can use to stream multimedia to client apps. However,the Plex DVRis only available for Plex Pass subscribers. You can install Plex Media Server onWindows, macOS, and other platforms.
Plex‘s DVR (or PVR) was initially limited to just recording liveTV. However, now you can also watch liveTVwith Plex’s client apps, which provide a front end for the DVR. You can utilize the Plex DVR with ATSC, WinTV, Freeview HD TV for Xbox One, DVB, and SiliconDust HDHR tuners.
The Plex DVR also has an intuitive TV guide and now includesTime Shiftingso that its users can pause, rewind and fast forward live playback. And asPlexhas loads of client apps, you can also sync your recorded TV shows to mobiles, tablets, and consoles.
⇒Get Plex Media Server
WinTV
WinTVrepresents Hauppauge’s PVR solution for Windows users. It’s a recording software program optimized for live television, which works with a limited range of TV tuners. WinTV is compatible with Windows 10 and Windows 8.
You can play recorded shows and watch live HD TV on Windows. Like other PVR software solutions, WinTV has a program guide with which you can find both channels and recorded shows.
This software enables users to record multiple shows and schedule recordings. The PVR boasts multi-tuner support so that you watch up to four TV shows at once in a single window with its picture-in-picture mode.
The WinTV CD also enables you to stream liveTVto Windows, macOS, and iOS platforms with the Extend app. You can record liveTVwith any one of those PVRs and a compatible tuner card. They offer flexible recording options and other TV novelties that you might not get with a standard TV set.
⇒Get WinTV
We’ve shown you various methods for using your computer to record live television, each of which will appeal to a different type of user.
Some solutions will make an offline version of the show that you can watch from anywhere, but others will not supply you with portable copies of your recordings. As always, the key is to choose an app that suits your usage needs and of course your favorite streaming platforms.
Are you a streamer, or prefer saving movies for later? Let us know in the comment area below.
More about the topics:Kodi,Plex,tv,video software
Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
Matthew is a freelancer who has produced a variety of articles on various topics related to technology. His main focus is the Windows OS and all the things surrounding it.
He is passionate about the tech world, always staying up-to-date with the latest and greatest. With an analytical view, he likes problem-solving, focusing on errors and their causes.
In his free time, he likes to read and write about history and tries to always develop new skills.
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Matthew Adams
Windows Hardware Expert
He is passionate about everything surrounding Microsoft’s OS, focusing on troubleshooting guides & tips for everyday problems.
