HD Personal Computer Setup?

[Vertimus]

Hey guys

I need help with setting up a HDPC. This rig will be used to capture HD movies from hbo, etc and transfer them over a LAN to my server. It will be running Gentoo Linux with Myth TV. I will also plan to connect this to a projector/tv/etc for HD playback. I don't plan to transcode, and I don't plan to game.

I'm wondering if a 3.0/800 ghz prescott will be enough for this job? Or should I look into AMD instead? What motherboard should I buy? Note: I need gigabit ethernet that is NOT limited by the PCI bus.

Other components:
HD-3000
Nvidia FX 5200 (ATI doesn't work well under Linux)
Value 2x512MB RAM (I don't plan on spending tons on memory. Should I?)
Used WD 20GB 7200RPM HDD (I don't need more capacity, but should I invest in a faster drive?)

I need recommendations on a quiet, small, photogenic case, and a soundcard with optical and coxial SPDIF. If this is already on the motherboard, then ignore this.

I already have optical drives.

The budget excluding monitor, hdd, hids, optical drives, will be $1000. I would like to spend as little as possible though.

Thanks

 

[Vertimus]

bump?

 

[SKORPI0]

Specs of components should do the job.

But 20GB HD, is that just for the OS? So while doing a capture the transport stream will be tranfered through a LAN then service. Hopefully you have enough storage/GB for the HD shows. 1 hour of HD broadcast (1080i) uses about 5.4 GB.

The HD-3000 card can only be used for OTA HD stations (Terrestial not cable), not QAM capable. That means only for local stations that broadcast shows in HD. You'll need cable, dish, or satellite services to get HBO, Showtime, STARZ, INHD & INHD2 for example. And of course a HD turner, preferably with a hard drive and firewire out.
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My own experience.... I use the following system, Windows XP SP2.
1. AMD Athlon64 3200 - socket 754
2. DFI Lanparty UT nF3 250Gb
3. Geil PC-4000 2x512
4. 40GB for OS
5. PNY GF4 Ti4200 - 3 years old. :frown:
6. Dell 21" CRT & Dell 20" LCD 2001FP - both set at 1600X1200.

I have a external HDD enclosure for 4 drives. (2 -160GB, 1 250GB, 1 200GB). My 5th drive 300GB is half full.

I use Comcast digital cable with a Motorola DCT6412 HD PVR. It is connected to the PC via firewire.

Here some of the HD captures on my HDTV drives - almost 770 GB so far.