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HTPC build, a few questions

G

Gurck

Banned
1) I hate TV, which is why I'm building this in the first place. Since I don't want to record any of the video-vomit they play, is there any problem with simply transplanting my ti4600 with s-vo into it (and upgrading what's in my gaming rig 😀), or are htpc-specific vivo cards better for some reason other than letting you record?

2) I have an old sb live value 5.1 I could use, would onboard (soundstorm) outperform this? I'm not going 5.1 btw, just analog output to an old radio (keeping a budget in mind here...).

3) Are those r/f remotes any good? I've seen a few on Newegg in the ~$30 range.

4) Will I need a CRT down there, or will the s-video out to TV work just like a monitor?

Thanks for any replies, can't wait to get the ball rolling on this 🙂
 
Originally posted by: Gurck
1) I hate TV, which is why I'm building this in the first place. Since I don't want to record any of the video-vomit they play, is there any problem with simply transplanting my ti4600 with s-vo into it (and upgrading what's in my gaming rig 😀), or are htpc-specific vivo cards better for some reason other than letting you record?
Click to expand...

You might want an AIW card (Radeon based) just for S-Video alone. The quality does make a difference from just your simple S-video out, you'll also get S-Video in. Just cause you don't want TV/Cable, there are other reasons such as X-Box/PS2 input on it.

2) I have an old sb live value 5.1 I could use, would onboard (soundstorm) outperform this? I'm not going 5.1 btw, just analog output to an old radio (keeping a budget in mind here...).
Click to expand...

I have a Value 5.1 in mine, works like a champ. Add in some nice Labtec 2.1 speakers and again your in good shape.

3) Are those r/f remotes any good? I've seen a few on Newegg in the ~$30 range.
Click to expand...

Have one, never used it, spend the money on a Gyration multimedia kb and mouse. Both are wireless.

4) Will I need a CRT down there, or will the s-video out to TV work just like a monitor?
Click to expand...

No, you will not need a CRT. As long as the TV can support S-Video, you'll be good.
 
Thanks. I don't have & am not going to have any consoles; I really don't need video input, however I am a bit concerned with the signal quality - will an AIW or other vivo card have a higher s-video output quality than what I'd get using my old 4600?
 
The Hauppage WinTV 250 is the standard for DVR in a HTPC. Kind of expensive though. If you use s-video you will be limited to 480i.
 
When I had strictly a video out card, the picture looked kinda fuzzy, now this can be attributed to a couple of things (quality of card maker, cheap cabling) etc. When I got my Radeon AIW, the picture quality was a lot sharper. Just my opinion.

I think it's worth getting an AIW card just for the options alone, you never know when you might need them. Just food for thought.
 
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