Thinking about an HTPC....

[Goodonebales]

I do get HD channels though...What about TV Tuner cards that are branded as HDTV tuners? Something maybe like this:
Newegg.com - AVerMedia MTVCBPCIW PCI-Express x1 Interface Video Device (White Box) - Retail

 

[UA_Iron]

goodonebales, honestly, if you wanna throw some power down HTPC alley, you should opt for atleast 4gb of ram, and a qx6700. also, to ensure futureproofing, get the hddvd/bluray combo drives, (2 of them) to make sure everything can copy from one disc to another. that should set you up pretty good, atleast for the next.....2-3weeks.

it'd be silly to spend half of what all that costs on an HTPC.

you planning on using vista or XP MCE?

 

[Brinson]

Riznarf is just a troll, ignore him. All he does is try to get a response.

I'd prolly use a pentium D or a AMD x2 3600-4200 depending on a price, 1gb of ram, a cheaper, but decent video card, a DVD-RW drive and then invest the rest in HDs.

 

[veg1992]

Riznarf is just a troll, ignore him. All he does is try to get a response.

I'd prolly use a pentium D or a AMD x2 3600-4200 depending on a price, 1gb of ram, a cheaper, but decent video card, a DVD-RW drive and then invest the rest in HDs.

agreed.... an HTPC doesn't require that much power (talking about Riznarf's comment):

just enough to watch and store a lot of movies and access to a DVD-ROM/maybe a dvd-rw if u want it maybe a blu-ray drive when it becomes a cheaper

 

[Jumping_Bean514]

I do get HD channels though...What about TV Tuner cards that are branded as HDTV tuners? Something maybe like this:
Newegg.com - AVerMedia MTVCBPCIW PCI-Express x1 Interface Video Device (White Box) - Retail

If you look at that tuner, you will notice that the highest quality video input on it is the S-Video cable. It turns out that while S-Video is HD, its HD resolution is limited to 480i (I think it might do 576i, but that might be pal). So like I said before, you wont be able to get 720, or 1080 resolutions. HD branding is tricky like that...

 

[Goodonebales]

If you look at that tuner, you will notice that the highest quality video input on it is the S-Video cable. It turns out that while S-Video is HD, its HD resolution is limited to 480i (I think it might do 576i, but that might be pal). So like I said before, you wont be able to get 720, or 1080 resolutions. HD branding is tricky like that...

Wow, well, that's just a tad bit confusing. But why would I use the S-video inputs? Couldn't I just plug the cable line directly into the cable inputs? I'm still not getting this...I feel like there has to be a solution, otherwise HTPCs would never sell, ya know? Well, for HDTV, at least.

 

[Goodonebales]

Oh, and as far as the other questions, I'd probably plan on using XP MCE, although I'd rather use a Linux-based system or just XP with MCE-type programs, such as Myth-TV or whatever. I haven't really done enough research about those yet.

 

[veedubfreak]

I'm glad this topic cropped up. I just built a new machine 2 weeks ago and have my old, still working amd 2800 with 1gb of ram machine sitting on the floor collecting dust. I might turn it into a htpc myself. Any suggestions as far as video capture cards go?

 

[UA_Iron]

I'm turning a bunch of spare parts into an HTPC...using all my skt939 stuff.

AMD 64 3700+
Biostar Tforce939-6100 (awesome mobo)
1 gig Mushkin Redline XP4000
couple HD's that I had laying around till i buy a bigger one
got Ultra's version of the Aspire Q-pack for 39.99 after rebate (came with a 400W psu that is working well so far)
Lite-on DVD writer

I'm considering this guy right here (remote looks quality):
VL System M-Play Blast - 5.25" Black w/ Blue VFD
-or this right here-
Thermaltake Media Lab Control Panel w/ Remote - Black

Still gotta figure out the video card, video capture card and OS.
I have Vista business, Vista Business 64, and MCE and am still considering between those.

Wish there was a good HD tuner/capture/decoder card out there.

 

[veg1992]

I'm turning a bunch of spare parts into an HTPC...using all my skt939 stuff.

AMD 64 3700+
Biostar Tforce939-6100 (awesome mobo)
1 gig Mushkin Redline XP4000
couple HD's that I had laying around till i buy a bigger one
got Ultra's version of the Aspire Q-pack for 39.99 after rebate (came with a 400W psu that is working well so far)
Lite-on DVD writer

I'm considering this guy right here (remote looks quality):
VL System M-Play Blast - 5.25" Black w/ Blue VFD
-or this right here-
Thermaltake Media Lab Control Panel w/ Remote - Black

Still gotta figure out the video card, video capture card and OS.
I have Vista business, Vista Business 64, and MCE and am still considering between those.

Wish there was a good HD tuner/capture/decoder card out there.

thats a great idea, i'm gonna turn my system into an HTPC, some1 should write a guide callled "Turning Your Old Useless System into an HTPC"