Get me out of the 1990s (HTPC?)

[dullard]

I'd like to start updating everything that I have. One bit at a time though. I watch some TV over the air (and record it to VCR tapes), but mostly watch tapes and DVDs. The main goal now would be to get rid of the VCR and massive pile of VCR tapes. What should I buy?

Current equipment:
* High quality, large CRT television, standard definition. Sure, I'll go HD one day, but most likely it won't be until I move (not worth shipping a large CRT) or until this thing breaks.
* DVD player.
* VCR.
* Yamaha RX-V530 receiver, old but works great.
* Over-the-air digital TV converter and antenna.
* Slowest possible cable internet.

I don't have and likely won't get unless there is a strong argument for it:
* Cable TV, satellite TV, netflix, or any video game consoles.

I was thinking an HTPC would be the starting point. I could record all of my tapes onto a hard drive to get rid of the tapes and VCR. The HTPC would have a DVD player so I could get rid of the current DVD player, and the ability to upgrade to Blu-Ray when I finally update my TV. Light internet browsing would be quite a plus, but I don't know if that is feasible with a standard definition TV.

What HTPC would you suggest? Or is there another item that I should be looking at? I definately won't get anything requiring a monthly fee.

 

[queequeg99]

Browsing with an SDTV will be murder on your eyes (assuming you get it to work with the low resolutions that will be available to you).

If you already have a modest PC of some sort, you might want to consider SageTV with an extender. It really depends on how much you like tinkering with the PC. HTPCs can be tricky to set up correctly. I used one for a couple of years but could never get things just where I wanted them. When Sage started selling extenders that are designed around its DVR/media center software, I jumped on it and have never looked back. If you go the Sage route, you can use any drive on the network as a media library source (including your optical drive). And the extender does have limited BD functionality (the movie will play but you won't have access to menus).

If you really want to know what your HTPC options are, look at the HTPC forum over at avsforum.com. There are lots of "starter" threads as well as thoughts about going with an HTPC vs. something like Sage vs. set top boxes.

 

[Chapbass]

Honestly, i wouldn't even consider an HTPC without an HDTV to go with it...just talking pure resolutions, its going to be total hell to look at. I'd start with an HDTV and go from there, honestly.