I don't remember how Bryant's is set up, but I use this:
http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B0006FS...6&s=pc&v=glance It plugs into a PCI slot on your motherboard and takes about 10 minutes to install (if that). I did a lot of research and this model seems to have the best overall reviews and satisfaction from users for an analog tuner.
However, you will probably want at least 1GB of RAM and lots of hard drive space, so that might add to the cost.
That will allow you to watch TV on your PC, and record what you are watching to your hard drive.
There are also models with two tuners so you can watch one thing, and record something on another channel.
Then, there are digital tuners which will record digital signals in high quality, but not analog... so you need to plan out what you want. Most decent storebought media centers have a ditigal tuner and an analog tuner so you can record everything, and still have the benefit of two tuners.
As for your question about needing anything else... aside from the RAM and the hard drive space you don't NEED anything else. The tuner comes with software that helps you set the channels, program when/where to record, edit your recordings (remove commercials), etc. However, if you are like me and want to record your pay per view events, you need another cable box from your cable provider. I think Comcast charges me $10 a month for a 2nd box.