HTPC w/ XP:MC...real min specs?

[filterxg]

2 questions...

What is the Cheapest CPU that can handle PVR/DVR in XP: Media Center?

What tis the cheapest graphics card that can output HDTV quality.


I have an 850 T-bird, but I'm 99% certain that won't cut it. I can still get a cheap AthlonXP mobo and CPU off ebay, but how cheap can I realistically go? I really don't care what chipset (although micro-ATX is a pref) or CPU, and I don't intend to play games. As indicated the most intensive task it'll do is PVR and DVR functions, in HDTV (but it looks like it isn't as mine comes from a cable box).

I'm also pretty sure I will have to buy a graphics card, as the gf4 440MX I have isn't capable of HDTV out (I think).

Thanks

 

[Cardio]

It is more complicated than that. What are you going to display HDTV on, your monitor or a HDTV set? IF a monitor what kind, CRT, LCD. If its a TV what kind of HD input does the set have, component, DVI, or HDMI. You will have to choose a video card that has the output that you plan to use for the TV input. Even then, some HD set are very difficult to successfully connect to a PC output, especially when trying to use a DVI, HDMI connection. This is because a digital TV does not usually send information over a DVI cable that will tell a video card to what it is connected. If a video card does not get this information it will not "turn on" the digital output to a DVI cable. There are work-a-rounds to this but not necessary to go into unless needed. If you will give info on the display device, TV, I will try to help you. This is necessary before you consider which video card to buy. Getting proper resolutions and timings for HD is not usually a simple matter, so unless you are willing to spend some time and probably some frustration, you might want to forget it.

 

[filterxg]

The TV hasn't been bought, that will happen in August, so I'm highly flexable there. Right now the main issue is spending as little as possible while still accomplishing my goals. Thanks.

 

[imported_Kensai]

I'd go with at least a 2500+ or something of the equivilent, though you could probably get by with less. If you're doing video encoding on that system, I'd go for as much as I could afford. As Cardio said, it all depends on what your TV supports and what you want to use to output to it.

 

[imported_vdorta]

Hi, new member.

As has been said, it depends on what you want to do. The official baseline is supposed to be an Intel 3.0 or similar, but I believe this is geared to HDTV; if you want SDTV I think you can get by with less performance. Regarding cards, I would recommend the Hauppauge PVR-150MCE for SDTV; for HDTV I'm going to use the VBOX USB-A 3560 (Aopen EZ65).

 

[piasabird]

Many people are using Linux and MythTV for their PVR. An awful lot of them are using the Hauppauge PVR-250. As far as the processor and motherboard goes one thing to look at is the sound quality you want to achieve. Newer chipsets have a lot better Integrated sound or you may want a sound card. Then you may need a good speaker system. Depends on what you expect. If you spend good money on a HDTV, you may want to consider the total quality of the system in-line with that.

Whatever you do you really need a TV card or video capture device with hardware encoding. This takes the strain off the processor and is also a requirement of Windows MCE. Make sure the card supports Windows MCE if you plan on using it for your OS. Some cards support Windows MCE and not Windows XP so be careful and selective. Look at the things the card supports and find people who have that card and ask them on the Internet.

Cheap is one thing but if it will not do what you want, you may not be happy.

Nforce Chipsets like an Asus AZN8X would work well if an ATX motherboard is what you want. A lot depends on the type of case you want to use and where you plan on putting it. Heat created and the noise issue are also important issues to consider. You want to be able to hear the TV.

 

[mcveigh]

minimum:
2GHZ or better cpu, 512mb ram, ATI 9600 or better video card.
reccomended:
3GHz+, 1GB ram, ATI X800 or nvidia 6600gt video card

BIG HARD DRIVES!!!
if you want to try QAM HDTV capture try the fusion3 card. there are only a few HDTV card supported in MCE2005

for a capture card get a PVR500, it's a dual tuner card SDTV

my specs:
P4 2.4C
512MB ram
revo 7.1 sounds card ->SPDIF to my receiver
PVR 250 capture card
ATI 550 PRO capture card
1x 160gb 1x200gb seagate hard drives (too loud)
MCE2005 (but I don't use it)
I use meedio and sageTV