If you like the idea of using your PC as a TiVo while getting remote control access to your other digital media files in the bargain, you have a couple of options. Option A: Go out and buy a new PC with Microsoft's Media Center OS. It provides an attractive interface that's easy to navigate even when you're firmly rooted to your couch. Like TiVo (but without the monthly subscription fee), the OS provides a program guide and the ability to pause, rewind, fast-forward, and record live TV. Within the same interface, you can use the Media Center remote to play music files and photo slide shows or even burn a DVD of the TV shows you have recorded. If you're in the market for a new PC, you'll only pay a small premium (less than $50 in most cases) to upgrade the OS from Windows XP Home to Media Center Edition 2005.

Option B: If your current PC is still humming along at a productive clip, you can get Media Center functionality from SageTV without having to invest in a new PC. Together with a TV tuner card, which is about the easiest computer upgrade you can make, the software provides the Media Center timeshifting functionality of pausing and recording TV, along with letting you access your music playlists, photos, and videos. SnapStream's Beyond TV app presents a similar interface to that of SageTV but focuses on TV without concerning itself with your photo and music files. Graphics card vendors ATI and Nvidia also sell multimedia cards with DVR functionality. Read our reviews of each to find the best fit for your TV-on-a-PC needs.