Need Input For HTPC

[SinxarKnights]

I decided to do a favor for my father and would like to build him a "WebTV" like HTPC.

He used to use it all the time and now since we switched to DSL, we refuse to pay for a dialup account AND the MSN service when we have a DSL line right here.

Now I have a few ideas but I am lost as to where I should start. I have never built an HTPC before and I don't wanna give him something that will have nothing but problems or something that is extremely difficult to use (definitely not a computer person).

I do have a few requirements though.

1 - I have to attach it to a TV that only has the coaxial cable on the back. So, I need a card that will allow a 'pass-through' connection from the satellite box to the TV when the PC is off. And well I need a card with dual coaxial connections also.

2 - *EDIT* - I may just go with Vista Home Premium. Its cheap and easy to use with good support from manufactures. And it includes a media center.

3 - Wireless keyboard only! My father had a stroke a while back and has problems using a mouse.

Other than that its pretty much straightforward. I am upgrading my CPU soon so that is one less thing to buy (3800+ X2 AM2), And I plan to just use the integrated NIC to hook directly to the router.

So anyone have any ideas? Has anyone here built a PC like this for anyone before?

Any help and links would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Slugbait]

1 - I believe that you will need an s-video to COAX RF modulator in order to connect from the video card to the TV...of course, make sure the video card you use has s-video output (most do). I don't know if any capture cards can do "pass-through" signals, but if any do, I doubt it would operate when the PC is turned off. But the HTPC shouldn't be turned off the majority of the time anyway...it needs to be operating to record, timeshift, etc. Capture cards with dual COAX are normally used for recording one channel while viewing another...I assume this is why you require dual connections, no?

2 - Vista Home Premium would be great. Heck, MCE 2005 should do fine as well, if you can score a copy.

3 - You will pay a hefty sum of money for a wireless keyboard only. They are rare. It would be cheaper to get a combo, and throw the mouse in a drawer. I'm partial to Logitech, and this unit should do nicely. You can program it for one-touch access to the most often used programs. However, I don't know if it can be programmed for the Green Button...Microsoft of course makes MCE keyboards like this one.

 

[SinxarKnights]

Well. I should have been more clear. This will not be used to record or anything like that. Just watching some movies and surfing. That is why I need a dual pass through card, so he wont have to unhook it to watch TV, just turn it off.

I was looking at Windows MCE but it appears that its more expensive than Vista HP. Not quite sure why.

That is a nice looking keyboard/mouse combo! I would get something like that for myself but I don't really like wireless devices. Heh, I converted my wireless laser mouse to a wired one because I got tired of batteries dying when I try to do some gaming, but that is another thread entirely.

So what I need is a simple PC, hooks to the TV by coaxial. If possible, sound should be routed to the TV through the coax, he has no type of home theater system, just a big CRT TV. This will be used for watching DVDs and surfing/email.

Or if anyone knows how to get an old WebTV unit to work with a LAN connection...

 

[Slugbait]

#1
For what you are describing, you don't need Premium, you can get by just fine with Basic or XP. Having an MCE machine without using the capabilities is a waste...you're not pausing the TV show to answer the phone, grab a beer, take a pee, etc. You're not using the online guide to find the show you want to watch. You're not recording a show 15 minutes before you watch so you can skip directly thru commercials; or for football, go directly from the finish of one down to the start of the next down and skip Joe Buck's genius insights, etc. You're not scheduling an entire season of BSG so you can make sure you don't miss a single hour, and no futzing with tape...ever again. And these are just the high-points of MCE.

#2
Like I said, even if somebody does make a pass-through card like you describe, the machine has to be on for the card to work.

#3
COAX won't route sound to the TV. The modulator is only taking the s-video signal, your video card can't do sound. You have to use a sound card. That means the TV needs audio inputs, but most TVs can't display picture over COAX and play audio-in at the same time, so that's out.

In other words, you're in over your head. Way over.

 

[SinxarKnights]

In other words, you're in over your head. Way over.

LoL, Ya I see that now. It looks like it would be better just to get a gPC from Wally-World or Tiger Direct. I will be dumping too much money into something that will be used for extremely basic tasks.

Thank you for your help Slugbait.