HTPC vs Tivo vs ??

[Kadarin]

My apologies, I'm a complete noob to this other than having owned a Tivo a few years back.

Here's what I think I want to be able to do:

Record tv shows via some kind of subscription service like Tivo.
Download content from the internet and play on my TV (this may include transferring files over a wireless network from my other PCs in the apartment).
Play PC games on the tv (maybe).
Backup DVDs to HDD.
"Space-shift" content recorded on the HTPC (or Tivo) so that I can watch on this Dell 3007WFP if desired.

What other cool things can I do?

My TV is a brand new 42" Phillips plasma that has HDMI, s-video, and component inputs (no VGA), and can do 1080i. So far I do not care about Blue-Ray or its competitor, but that may be because I haven't seen it yet.

So... Should I:

Get a Tivo?

Buy a pre-built HTPC?

Build my own, based on some of the various solutions available (Windows Media Center, MythTV, etc)?

 

[JBT]

Will you be watching HD content?
If so the HD Tivo's run about $700 bucks...
I love my Tivo but thats just too expensive for me.

 

[Gamingphreek]

Build Your Own hands down.

With the amount of things you want your system to do though, you will be hard pressed to find a mATX case or something small to fit it all in. If you decide to go the DIY route, I'm sure we can help you spec out a system that would suit your needs.

-Kevin

 

[Genx87]

I tried building an HTPC but in the end found it a giant old pain the ass.
I got a 100 dollar Tivo unit and havent look back since.

The HD Tivo units are really spendy. But I supposed if you are building a machine from scratch you will spend a similar amount on computer parts.

/shrug