TV Tuners and Satellite TV

I have a laptop with Win XP media center - for years I've had a TV tuner attached and could use the laptop as a TV and could also record programs to watch later. We had cable tv. We just made the switch to satellite and direct TV. Using there box the laptop can connect to the TV. But, because the channel must be set to channel 3 - I can't record or get a program guide via media center. Is there anyway around this? A DVR is not the answer - I need to be able to store the shows I recorded to the laptop. My husband spents hours at the hospital getting treatments and is missing being able to watch his shows during this time.
I have two tv tuners - a Dell angell USB and a pinnacle TV tuner.

Thanks,
Sue

 

Could you set the Direct TV box to come on and go to a particular channel at a certain time?

I don’t have direct TV, but that is what I do to record FTA satellite programs on my box.

 

In a way yes - since the laptop must be set to channel 3 - I can recorded for whatever time the program guide has for this channel. IE: If there is a 60 minute show on channel 3, I can't tape a 90 movie or I'll miss the last 30 minutes of taping. (I can set the directv box to any channel)