Welcome to Part Four of the Exploring Today's DVR Options series: Homebrew 101! By now you've looked at some of the integrated options that were discussed in Part 2, and the standalone units covered by Part 3, but if you aren't sure they're what you're looking for, then the final (and most complicated) choice is left: homebrew.

Before we get into the nitty gritty of this option, I want to clarify that this overview is just that. This isn't a how-to article, or meant to be a concise list of hardware or software.

There are many factors in deciding which tuner card, hard drive, or software to install. Also, to keep things simple, this article is geared towards PC users as a majority. Sorry Macs.

Dedicated Media Center or Desktop

If you're going to do a homebrew DVR, it's important to realize there are two essential options within this category: creating a dedicated media center, or merely adapting your standard desktop for use as a DVR. If you've ever used a LAN, you know the advantages of having a server. It cuts down on resources and allows easy access to information or file without having to clutter up every single computer with every file or mp3 or program that you want to access or use.

The same goes for DVRs. Using your desktop as a DVR and then running multiple programs at one time can bog down your system, especially if you're into graphics heavy games or applications.

If you want to keep things simple and cheap, using your PC will work. But if you're going to build a DVR, you'll get the best of the best by building a separate media center. Regardless of how you decide to go about your DVR, there are some necessities.

Is homebrew not quite right for you? Take a Deeper Dive into Today's DVR Options.