- Sep 1, 2002
- 14,545
- 236
- 106
Hello All,
I will tell you all from the get-go that that there will be a lot of information here. Any input much appreciated.
The short of it is: Is cable TV plus a computer for HTPC duties what I want for getting TV shows recorded as they air (while not paying a monthly fee for something?
Right now I have a file/media server. It does ok, but just having that, Netflix, and Amazon Prime has it's issues:
-there is a limited number of shows that we want to watch (albeit a fairly high limit)
-shows will go away after an unspecified time (the kids hate this)
-streaming on Netflix and Prime is adequate at best (our cable internet speed is fine)
-there are current shows I would like to be able to save for later viewing (without commercials)
The server I have now is an Intel 2500k on a Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 with 8 GB of RAM. I have HDMI on the board and HD 3000 graphics from the CPU. Hard drive space right now is 2 TB. I also have a wifi card for the server, when needed (it is usually hard-wired to the router).
Questions:
-My assumptions are that I mainly need cable TV service, a TV tuner card, and software, for the server.
- I need ANY recommendations here (additions or deletions if necessary.)
-Do I need a remote, or can a mouse do the job (keyboard when necessary)?
-Once I get this set up, how is this going to work? Does the display need to connect directly to the server/htpc, or can I send it to the TV over the network?
I will be grateful for any input here. I know some of the questions probably sound silly. I have been looking at guides the last couple nights, but they seem to all be skipping steps here and there.
I will tell you all from the get-go that that there will be a lot of information here. Any input much appreciated.
The short of it is: Is cable TV plus a computer for HTPC duties what I want for getting TV shows recorded as they air (while not paying a monthly fee for something?
Right now I have a file/media server. It does ok, but just having that, Netflix, and Amazon Prime has it's issues:
-there is a limited number of shows that we want to watch (albeit a fairly high limit)
-shows will go away after an unspecified time (the kids hate this)
-streaming on Netflix and Prime is adequate at best (our cable internet speed is fine)
-there are current shows I would like to be able to save for later viewing (without commercials)
The server I have now is an Intel 2500k on a Gigabyte GA-Z68X-UD3H-B3 with 8 GB of RAM. I have HDMI on the board and HD 3000 graphics from the CPU. Hard drive space right now is 2 TB. I also have a wifi card for the server, when needed (it is usually hard-wired to the router).
Questions:
-My assumptions are that I mainly need cable TV service, a TV tuner card, and software, for the server.
- I need ANY recommendations here (additions or deletions if necessary.)
-Do I need a remote, or can a mouse do the job (keyboard when necessary)?
-Once I get this set up, how is this going to work? Does the display need to connect directly to the server/htpc, or can I send it to the TV over the network?
I will be grateful for any input here. I know some of the questions probably sound silly. I have been looking at guides the last couple nights, but they seem to all be skipping steps here and there.