HTPC - Looking to build a budget DVR/PVR system!

[jhammer]

I'm looking to build a home theater pc (htpc) that will support dvr/pvr features. I will be connecting it to a 50" Samsung Plasma 720p. Obviously I'd like small form factor, quiet operation and plenty of storage. This will be used mainly to record HDTV and it would be nice to be able to watch a show while another records.

What specifications do you reccomend for hardware?
Case, Motherboard, Processor, Ram, Capture Card, Etc...

Will this affect the quality of the video?
I absolutely HATE the garbage software on my Comcast cable box. It is my understanding that I can use this HTPC to change channels, browse, etc. Will viewing HD channels from the HTPC cause any quality loss? I'm guessing that it may due to software processing.

What connection will be made from the HTPC to the TV?
Will I need a video card for this? Quality is a huge factor for me... should I connect the HTPC to the TV using HDMI?

Software Reccomendation
I'm leaning towards MYTH, SAGE or MCE.

 

[zig3695]

i had the same questions a year ago and i ended up with spending about $600 on the pc and going with an oem copy of vista home premium. and i wouldnt use anything else- windows mc just plain rocks. its easy to use, it works excellent, its easy to use.. thats really about it.

for the pc, i went to a local computer store and spent $200 for a used compaq EVO mid-tower system. it came with a P4 2.4ghz, 1gb ram and 40gb drive. i opted for a x850xt video card, $100, a dual-tv tuner, $100, and 2gb ram, $100 more (its ddr) and a 500GB drive, $100. thats it, i already had the logitech harmony remote (a must if you ask me).

its been a great system. it seems like $600 is still a lot, but its hard to buy new parts for an entire htpc and keep it cheap. thats why i opted for used, and im not that displeased with it at all. although, it would be nice to have wake-on-lan and more native usb ports- and an actual htpc case but all that's just bells and whistles. my machine has been running great and recording hundreds of tv shows since it went into service.

there shouldnt be any loss in picture quality. it should be better, the video card enhances the picture. most standard cable upscales pretty damn good. HD is amazing, but ive only done OTA HDTV and that is not compressed so its always looking great.

use the best connection possible, but in my case with a standard tv the best i can do is s-vid. its fine though, i dont run HD on my htpc, just on my pc upstairs on the widescreen lcd.

also, i wouldnt go any slower then what i got, a P4 2.4 although that shouldnt be hard to beat. i think most semprons priced at $40 smoke my system out... but it has been fast enough for what i need.

 

[heyheybooboo]

What specifications do you reccomend for hardware?

GIGABYTE GA-MA69GM-S2H AM2 AMD 690G HDMI

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5000+ Brisbane 2.6GHz 65W

Will this affect the quality of the video?

<a target=_blank class=ftalternatingbarlinklarge href="http://www.hdtvtunerinfo.com/comparetuners.html">HDTV PCI Tuner Card &
USB HDTV Tuner Chart</a>

You may view unencrypted cable HD with QAM tuners - cable card is necessary for viewing of encrypted cable HD and premium.

I've typically found OTA HD superior to cable HD but YMMV. It's all good

Check out the AVS Forum to answer many of your questions.

What connection will be made from the HTPC to the TV?

I use DVI (with optical sound to my receiver by way of an X-Mystique). The Gigabyte mobo above is known to be capable using the integrated hdcp video and on-board sound. When you enter the world of HD-DVD and Blu-Ray if you do not find the playback to your liking with the integrated video there is a PCIe slot on the mobo for a HD 2600XT.

Software Reccomendation

There are issues with QAM on MCE. Your ""Front End"" is largely a matter of personal preference.

 

[jhammer]

Originally posted by: heyheybooboo
You may view unencrypted cable HD with QAM tuners - cable card is necessary for viewing of encrypted cable HD and premium.

I've typically found OTA HD superior to cable HD but YMMV. It's all good

Right now I'm paying for Comcast's HD package. Will I need a cable card? How will I add a cable card to my PC? Also how do I tell which channels are generally available OTA in HD? Do you think these channels will be different than Comcast's offerings?

Thanks!

 

[zig3695]

there isnt cable cards yet for cable tv on pc's, at least not in the consumer-acquirable sense. youre basically screwed if you want hd-cable on your pc. if its a must, then tivoHD is really the only option right now i believe.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: jhammer

Originally posted by: heyheybooboo
You may view unencrypted cable HD with QAM tuners - cable card is necessary for viewing of encrypted cable HD and premium.

I've typically found OTA HD superior to cable HD but YMMV. It's all good

Right now I'm paying for Comcast's HD package. Will I need a cable card? How will I add a cable card to my PC? Also how do I tell which channels are generally available OTA in HD? Do you think these channels will be different than Comcast's offerings?

Thanks!

Cablecards are available through Comcast as part of your digital cable service.
http://www.comcast.com/Custome...aqDetails.ashx?Id=2657

As noted above the DRM police will only allow pre-built systems such as the HP Pavilion Elite m9000z series
which may be configured with a dual ATSC-NTSC TV tuner, PVR, 1 FM tuner & remote. A Comcast Tech will most likely come out and install the cablecard(s) for you. See this Comcast FAQ

There are several websites for OTA including AntennaWeb. I use an $80 Radio Shack omnidirectional dish antenna and get 46 digital channels/subchannels OTA outside Charlotte, NC. Most are PBS (including 3 flavors of HD - Nova, Nature, National Geo, The War, Frontline, Wired Science, American Experience, Austin City Limits, etc) and the network local affilliate weather subchannels - which are pretty cool if you are a weather nerd or work outside.

There have been rumors that Sony is offering an AMD/ATI '650' cablecard box for $300 instead of a pre-built but the best I can tell this is Internet FUD.