What hardware would you suggest?

[PixelMaster]

Hey y'all!!

Few weeks ago I decided to learn about the HTPC thing and media server options available out there. After reading about TV tuners, capture cards, PVR's, MythTV...et al. I realized the more I read about it the more confused I am.

I will explain what my present needs are and what I am trying to accomplish in the future. I know I can count on your help to explain how I can get this done or direct me to where I can find that valuable info.

Current Needs: I have Digital Cable thru Cox. I work nights, so I TAPE (yes, VCR:o ) the shows to watch them later. I also realized that my favorite shows are from network channels. What I want to do is get a Tuner card (HDTV) so I can record those shows on my Desktop computer. It's very important for me that the recorded shows don't have commercials in them anymore when I am ready to watch them after work. I am using a 17" LCD but will be upgrading soon to a 32" any suggestion about that are appreciated too.

Future Needs: I am planning on buying a house (someday ) I would like to have a satellite dish to get some foreign FTA (Free to Air) channels in addition to the OTA (Over the Air) channels. What type of card/software will be needed then and is the one suggested for current needs will still work ok?
In addition to getting HDTV and Satellite channels I will need to have access to all my media (music files, recorded TV shows and live TV...) from three different computers/TVs. I know it's possible, I just don't know how complicated it is yet :eek:

Thank you so much in advance, Please don't use a lot of three letter acronyms as I am new to all this. Or if you do, spell it out for me as well.


Computer Specs:
Dell 4600 P4 3GHz HT 512MB
NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 128MB
Creative Sound Blaster Live! 5.1

[Ted the Penguin]

Current Needs: I have Digital Cable thru Cox. I work nights, so I TAPE (yes, VCR:o ) the shows to watch them later. I also realized that my favorite shows are from network channels. What I want to do is get a Tuner card (HDTV) so I can record those shows on my Desktop computer.

Ok you will run into your first problem with getting an HDTV tuner card which will work with gbpvr. You will probably end up having to but a HDTV card as well as a standard tuner card. I am not sure which HDTV card people have been having success with, look here http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=19718. As for a SD tuner card, everyone likes the Hauppauge cards, if you only want 1 tuner get a WinTV PVR 150, if you want 2 (you probably will) get a WinTV PVR 500. you will be able to set one tuner up to your digital box and the other to get whatever comes out of the cable without the STB.

It's very important for me that the recorded shows don't have commercials in them anymore when I am ready to watch them after work.

Comskip, it comes with GBPVR, all you have to do is tell GBPVR to use it, I do and havnt seen a commercial during my recordings in months.

I am using a 17" LCD but will be upgrading soon to a 32" any suggestion about that are appreciated too.

Westinghouse LTV32w6, its low cost but I have been very happy with it. If you want to drive yourself insane trying to decide on a tv go check out http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?f=40 there are a bunch of very knowledgable people that post there, and you should be able to make an (over)informed decision about a TV, or any other AV equipment.

Future Needs: I am planning on buying a house (someday ) I would like to have a satellite dish to get some foreign FTA (Free to Air) channels in addition to the OTA (Over the Air) channels. What type of card/software will be needed then and is the one suggested for current needs will still work ok?

Um... I am really not sure about foreign FTA channels, I guess you would need a DVB tuner? Someone else should be able to help with that. But the OTA channels will work fine. Current HDTV tuner cards that work with GBPVR only get OTA channels no card that works with GBPVR has QAM decoding. (Quadriture Amplitude Modulation, and if you want me to explain the electromagnetics behind it I can:p)

In addition to getting HDTV and Satellite channels I will need to have access to all my media (music files, recorded TV shows and live TV...) from three different computers/TVs. I know it's possible, I just don't know how complicated it is yet :eek:

This is actually the easy one, and you can do it now. GBPVR now supports a clienterver setup, so you can have all your media files reside in one place and have multiple clients access the files over the network. The setup for this should be pretty straightforward but if you have any questions, just ask here or PM me.

NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200 128MB

Hear me now remember me later and understand me when you set up your system!!!
You will not be able to use VMR9 with this card because there will be tearing, you will have to use the overlay mixer for your video renderer. (I appologise for the SNL Hans and Frans reference, but I had to. and dont really worry about this now because its like I said, you will understand what I mean when you get it all set up)

[elite]

In addition to getting HDTV and Satellite channels I will need to have access to all my media (music files, recorded TV shows and live TV...) from three different computers/TVs. I know it's possible, I just don't know how complicated it is yet :eek:

You can also access all of your recordings and media via the web interface, which also facilitates scheduling of recordings. All you need is a decent broadband connection. See EWA (Enhanced Web Admin).

If you run into any problems feel free to post - this is one of the friendliest boards I've come accross.