HTPC's

[the_ancient]

Anyone Here in to the HTPC market? I getting ready to Drop Dish network and go back to Regular Cable, (cheaper they are having a Combo Special) but I am going to miss the DVR, which brings me to this Topic

I currently have 2 Desk top pcs, One is Old which was replaced by my new one, but I keep the old one around for Storage pace and have been using it to run other downloading programs

Anyway the Specs on this box Currently are

AMD AthonXP 1Ghz processor (old one)
16GG WD hard Drive (system)
80GB WD hard Drive
60 GB Seagate Hard Drive
512MB ram

That is pretty much it, and ASUS MB with built in video/audio I am using right now

I am thinking about Buying a PVR 150 and using a GeForce 4 video card I currently have in my Exsisting Desktop as the Video out to TV...

Will this work or do I need more power in the box?
What Programs do you recommend, I look at Meedio awhile back but since the sell out I dont know. BeyondTV looks neat but I prefer free?

Any help????

Thanks

[jason]

EFF.org has published a "cookbook" on creating your own DVR with a standard PC and some open source software: http://www.eff.org/broadcastflag/cookbook/. The recommend an Intel processor of 3GHz+, so YMMV with your system.

I've been starting to think about replacing my home system and I was thinking about turing my current system into a DVR, too. My system is a little weak for their standards, too., though. If you end up doing this, let me know what you do and how it works out.

--Jason

[the_ancient]

EFF.org has published a "cookbook" on creating your own DVR with a standard PC and some open source software: http://www.eff.org/broadcastflag/cookbook/. The recommend an Intel processor of 3GHz+, so YMMV with your system.

I've been starting to think about replacing my home system and I was thinking about turing my current system into a DVR, too. My system is a little weak for their standards, too., though. If you end up doing this, let me know what you do and how it works out.

--Jason

It looks like the EFF guide (thanks for the link) is using software (main CPU) for Encoding, Which is why I picked the PVR150, it has hardware encoding in MPEG2 on the Capture card, from what i have read this Lowers the required CPU by a good margin.

Newegg has the OEM 150 for like $40 (retail with remote is like $85) I will probally buy just to see is my old box is up to the challange.


besides a 1GHz AMD is like a 3GHz Intel anyway

[the_ancient]

well I took the Plung. I just ordered a BeyondTV Bundle ($150), (PVR150, BeyondTV software and Firefly Remote Control)

the Pvr byitself would have run me $85 w/remote but the reviews I read stated the remote it comes with is less than desirable but the firefly has gotten great reviews.

I also looked at MythTV, as it is open source, but many people say beyond TV is more user friendly

But what the hell they have a 30day money back policy so if I dont like it I will return it

I will post a review once I get the stuff

[Ron]

But what the hell they have a 30day money back policy so if I dont like it I will return it

That's what's wrong with Amerika today, no personal responsibility. Why on earth would you make a merchant eat your change of mind?*

You can always tell a hot item at a lot of stores; half the packages have been resealed after a return and they're selling it as new.

Shame on you.*












*

[the_ancient]

Well I am not going to be using the 30day policy.......


I recieved the Unit Thursday, but I have not had time to set up the computer in my home theater. I have however installed the card and "played with it" in my office...

I dont want to post a "full review" until I have a chance to hook this up to a tv, but so far I am impressed with the Unit.

It does not seem to be taxing my processor at all, and the web features set it apart. That is the main reason i went for Beyond TV, I travel alot so often I would have to access the Shows from my Dish DVR, now I could set it up with FTP servers, or VNC etc to do it, but beyond TV comes with a Web Interface that allows me to eather Download or Stream the Show directly from a normal web connection. Which I esp Like.

The only thing I am disappointed in, is the fact to Stream live TV you have to have a SOFTWARE based encoding card there is no way my processor will support that......

The firefly remote, some with BeyondMedia Basic, which for me is Just fine and saves me $50 (which I would not have bought anyway, I was going to use MeedioOS, and I still might but later)

The remote itself is well made, and offers great functionality,

So far I am very Happy with my Purchase, Now I have to wait until I get back from SanFran, (leaving Monday for atleast 2 weeks) to set it up in my Home Theater.