You need a TV tuner card for the computer.
I have a 2 tuner box connected to my network. It is hooked up to an antenna and gets all the free broadcast HDTV available in my area.
Windows Media Center, not to be confused with Windows Media Player, was ahead of its time. It was the first whole-home DVR solution. Shows recorded on a central computer and you could watch streaming over your network on an HDTV with an Xbox360 or a small number of other devices.
Even though I no longer use it, I will miss it.
Thanks for the info. Yes; I know Media Center and Media Player are different. I watch DVDs on my (don’t laugh) Vista HP laptop (2009) via its Media Center application. I noticed that there were many more options available — just didn’t know how to launch or use. Thanks again!
I used to despise Vista — until we picked up a PC with Windows 10 which was returned to Best Buy the next day. I now have a loving, meaningful relationship with Vista.