SnapStream

Synomenon

Lifer
Dec 25, 2004
10,547
6
81
I'm building a HTPC on a limited budget. I'll be using SnapStream's Beyond TV 4, a PowerColor Theater 550 TV tuner card, and Windows XP Media Center Edition (latest version). I have on internal 150GB Raptor and an external 80GB hard drive connected via firewire 400 (it's in a Macally PHR-100AC external enclosure). Will there be any difference in recording quality if I choose the external 80GB hard drive as Beyond TV 4's recording drive?
 

DrCool

Senior member
Aug 3, 2001
871
0
76
It may or may not work.. just depends on performance of the firewire chipset. I tried to use an external usb2.0 drive for the buffer, and it caused issues. I've been using Beyond TV for almost 2 years now, and it works the best with internal IDE or SATA drives.
 

AlexV

Member
Nov 14, 2005
46
0
61
I wonder if you could record to the internal hard drive, and then just transfer the files to the external one if needed. You can even have a small script that would do that automatically at some scheduled times.

I'd suggest just doing a small experiment. Record a program with the file being located on the external drive. I'd suggest recording something with a lot of movements to somewhat stress the setup, like a basketball, hockey or soccer game, or perhaps some autoracing. You can record a bit to your external drive, and then switch the recording location and record to internal one. Within 20-30 minutes, you'll have you answer.

-- Alex