Microsoft Windows Media Center

If you've purchased a Windows computer (in the last few years) then you probably got Windows Media Center with it for free. It is included in most versions of Windows Vista and Windows 7. Gone are the days when you had to buy a special version of Windows XP to have it.

But what does it do? It:

• Lets you watch internet TV on your PC
• Plays DVDs
• Plays Music
• Shows Pictures
• Shows the TV listings in your area

And if you have a TV tuner card or external (USB) tuner then it lets you:

• Records, stores and plays broadcast/cable programs
• Watch and pause live TV

So, with an inexpensive TV tuner (mine is a Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-950Q) that can be had for $60-80, you can turn your (newer) computer into a high definition DVR (digital video recorder). It will even turn your computer on (if your computer's motherboard supports this) or wake it up from sleep mode to record a program you've scheduled. And, of course, when you play back the recordings you can quickly skip the commercials.