New Media PC

[bishop]

I plan to build a small media PC to sit next to my TV and Surround reciever. I plan to connect the PC to the TV using the PVR350 and it's video out. I read a tread where sub confirmed that GB-PVR will play it's means onto the TV screen through this card. Is this an overlay over the broadcasted picture or will it look the same as a monitor. I assume I won't be able to use the TV like a monitor i.e. no desktop? just GB-PVR.

Second question. I plan to network this PC to my main pC to share it's broadband connection. Any plans for a internet feature on GB-PVR for those that only plan to connect to a TV screen?

Thanks

[aegisx]

i dont think you need a monitor. I don't have one, but I use the MediaMVP. To manage the server, you can use remote destop from another pc/laptop.

[jeffcora]

I have my media PC under the TV and use it without a monitor. My normal PC output is routed to the TV through an S-Video TV-OUT. This allows me to sit in front of the TV and use the screen just like a monitor. My PVR350 output is also connected to the TV, and just shows GB-PVR. This give much better results for me than just trying to use GB-PVR on full screen through the normal TV-OUT.

Quote[/b] ]Second question. I plan to network this PC to my main pC to share it's broadband connection. Any plans for a internet feature on GB-PVR for those that only plan to connect to a TV screen?

This has been requested before, but I think it becomes too hard to integrate it into GBPVR and also natigate around for those using just a remote or on the MVP. Don't think Sub has any plans to do this, but someone may write a plugin. I personally think you are better going for a PC/Video Card which also has a TV out then you can use all the features of the PC just by changing to a different AV input on the TV.

Rob

[bishop]

Thanks Rob. This sounds like the way forward. I connected my graphics card to the TV through the TV out and the quality was terrible. Am I correct in thinking I will need a specific TV display driver?. Secondly what is the resolution like for GBPVR on a wide screen TV, both for the interface and play back?

[Huw]

Output to widescreen should be fine, for your PC output to TV, what screen res are you using ? you may need to adjust it to get a good picture (widescreen won't help either)

[reven]

i agree with jeffcora have two video outs, primary as pvr-350 since it has the best quality but you may need another one (say if you want to play games, you might not now but one day). just save some pennys and then get a good one, if its not urgent. matrox ones are really good, but limited ram. oh and winxp has the remote thingy which is really handy, pc anywhere is slow and crappy.

an internet plugin probably wouldnt work thru the pvr-350 tvout anyway (well i dont think it would, since the easiest way is to use the internet explorer control it self, which i doubt will output). and the pvr-350 cant play dvds (really annoying)

[sub]

You wouldn't want to use it for much (its slow as ####), but you can create a custom task which points to IE. When you run it, GB-PVR will show IE & your desktop on your PVR350. It uses a virtual desktop type scheme that scrolls around with your mouse.