EDIT: I tihnk I'm goin with Linux + MythTV | WinXP MCE 2005 or Snapstream Beyond TV 3

[newParadigm]

EDIT: After doing some research, it seems the best (and cheapest as it is oepn source) PVR program is actually written fro Linux. MythTV has all the features of both BTV and SageTV, allows networked machines, HTPC, and DivX timeshifting/recording. Plus it has other neat features, like a weather thingy so you dont hafta watch teh Weather Channel, as well as a RSS newsfeed reader.

Looks pretty cool.

check it out at www.mythtv.org



The PC will be a Duron in the 1ghz range with between 256 and 512 mbs RAM. It will either have a GF 4600 VIVO (w/ TV tuner), or i may get a dedicated Hardware encoding capture card, and get an nForce2 IGP board.

Soooo....... Which HTPC solution is best for me WinXP MCE 2k5, or Snapstream BTV 3?

I want ease of use and power, if ican have dual tuner support (i.e. watch and record 2 dif things or ecord 2 things at the same time), that would be great.



Thanks

~new

 

[HomerSapien]

Get a hardware encoder. You will be much happier as the computer wont struggle to record and playback shows if they are happening at the same time. MCE will not run on a software encoder. A Hauppage PVR 150 (1 tuner) or a PVR 500 (2 tuners in one) will be your best bets. Ati has just released a hardware encoder, but i havent read much about it.

As for which software, i would use Sage Tv. It costs a little more, but it is the best pvr software out. It isnt as customizable as beyond tv, but some users have created more options for it. sage I think beyond tv charges you for each tuner you have, but i may be mistaken on that as it has been awhile since i looked into it.

They sell bundles of cards and software. Also, check out the forums.

 

[rbV5]

Your rig specs don't meet requirements for MCE 2005, so forget it as an option.

For a PVR, your best bet is to decide on a software package, and then get the components that will be supported by it. Go to the SageTV, BTV and mythTV forums for starters and see what is working.

 

[newParadigm]

thx all (specialy homersapien)

 

[Kilrsat]

I'd go with BeyondTV. I liked it better than Sage when I was checking things out. The standard package includes licensing for 2 tuners. Above that, and yes, there is a charge. For a full htpc setup, I'd pair BeyondMedia and BeyondTV. Provides a clean, easy to use, expandable, and feature-rich experience.

And yes, get a hardware encoding card.

 

[dartworth]

http://htpcnews.com/forums/index.php

 

[HomerSapien]

glad to help...this stuff can be a headache with all of the options to decide on when you are first starting.... What kind of tv are you using this with? Sage currently does not support HDTV broadcasts, but you can send regular cable/digital/satallelite tv to it. Sage 3.0 might, and i have no idea about beyond tv.

Also, Sage and Beyond Tv have demos so give them a try. The only problems i have run into are the hauppage remote control losing its ir connection and i have to restart the ir for it every few days. Before my last xp install, this almost never a problem which makes me think i need to adjust a .ini file somewhere.

One last thing...I would advise against a pvr-350. It may sound like a great deal to have the tv out functionality, but the card has serious driver issues with most software. Most of the posts at the sage forums are how to get this card to work properly.

 

[TerryMathews]

SageTV.

 

[newParadigm]

bump for my edit

 

[jkoon]

Well it looks like you may have decided already but I have been using SnapStream for a couple years now and have been very happy.

 

[Looney]

Originally posted by: newParadime
I want ease of use and power, if ican have dual tuner support (i.e. watch and record 2 dif things or ecord 2 things at the same time), that would be great.

Have you ever used Linux before? If you don't even know the most basics of Linux, you're going to be SCREWED.

 

[Traire]

Ive been using GB-PVR with my Hauppauge 150, and am very happy with it.

Plus its free.

 

[Nnyan]

another vote for GB-PVR, I eventually went with that after my MythTV try.