A PC remote control is an option, but not a requirement for your media PC.
Building a cheap media PC is mostly a matter of making use of what you have rather than buying new equipment. The only parts that you absolutely must have that are unique to a media PC are a TV card and A/V cables (and an IR blaster, if you use cable or satellite). They can be had for just a few dollars--the top of the line ones cost more, but a basic TV card and A/V cables, as of October 2010 can be had for around $40 to $50. IR blasters, if needed, usually come with the TV card.
Instructions
1. Ground yourself by touching the metal part of your computer case. This will be prevent you from releasing static electricity which may damage sensitive components inside your computer. Open the back of your computer using the screwdriver. Typically, there will be two screws on the right side of the computer case. Remove the case.
2. Locate a free PCI slot and line up your TV card with the slot. The bottom should align perfectly, with the back of the card showing through the back of the computer into one of the slots on the back. Press down firmly but gently until the card will not go down any further. Secure the TV card using the screw to hold it in place.
3. Replace the computer cover and put the screws back where they were.
4. Attach your A/V cables to the back of your cable or satellite box. Attach the other end to your newly installed TV card or video capture card. Some TV cards also will come with a male to male 3.5mm headphone jack cable. If you have a cable like this with your TV card, there should be a headphone jack on your TV card. Attach one end to the card and the other to the headphone jack on your computer. If you are using only over the air TV, attach your antenna to the TV card using the cable from the antenna. If there is no plug on the card for that kind of cable (usually coaxial), see tips.
5. Attach your IR blaster to a USB port on your computer and place the other end--which often looks like a bulb or may be black and shiny--next to your cable/satellite box's IR receiver.
6. Download and install media software from a site like GBPVR.com, Team-mediaportal.com or Freevo.sourceforge.net. Note that if you have Windows Vista/7 Home Premium or above you may be able to use Windows Media Center instead of one of these. However, Media Center requires a much more powerful computer than one of these other programs.
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