A/V links?

In general, What hardware would I need to watch / record videos from my PC to on my smart TV?
The PC has a DVD drive, running Win7. The TV is a brand new Sharp Aquos.
Both are connected through a Netgear switch.

OR

Would I be better of buying a DVR? (if they still make them)

Ultimately, I would like to make back up copies of movies to be watched later on the TV at my convenience.

On another note, Can my AT&T U-verse DVR storage cap. be expanded with a WD "My Book"? and/or be connected to a PC? The U-verse DVR does have a SATA port.

Thanks in advance for your input!

 

First, it's unlikely your TV has a video output. All the jacks on the set are input (except for possibly audio outputs to go to a home theater sound system).

To record broadcast (over the air) TV, you can buy a TV tuner PCI or USB card, like this:

http://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-1191-WinTV-HVR-950Q-Personal-Recorder/dp/B001DEYVXO/ref=pd_cp_e_0

With this, you can set up your PC to record like a DVR.

There are a few higher priced units that accept a "cable card" for legal descrambling of channels you subscribe to, however only a few cable companies support them (DIRECTV and DISH don't, plus I don't think AT&T does but you could call them to find out). They may not support recording due to copyright restrictions.

Programs recorded on a cable, satellite or TIVO DVR are encrypted so you cannot transfer them to a PC or other device.

I'd check with AT&T (website or phone) to see what (if any) external hard drives will work with your U-verse box. The specific model and/or capacity may make a difference.

Hope this helps.