Popcorn Hour or PC client for HD

[soccerdad]

I now have my HVR1800 recording great so now I have to get it to the TVs. I have used MVPs for years and like them, but now I want to watch HD stuff that I am recording. I currently have a low end PC and an MVP at my main HD tv. I use the PC for some files that the MVP does not like. I also use it for some internet stuff so I want a pc at the TV. It is not quite strong enough for HD. So, I am thinking about building another PC with HDMI out. I can build a great one for less than $300. (without windows).

I have 2 choices, I can either buy a Popcorn hour and use my exisisting PC, or I can build a Client PC. Can a GBPVR client do HD? I do not watch live tv through GBPVR so playback is the only real item I need at the TVs.

I would love to hear opinions on clients vs Popcorn Hour. I am also toying with using linux on the TV box and just use VLC. Any thoughts?

[zed]

As I've said multiple times here on the forum, my advice is the PCH, esp. if you're planning to spend some money on a new client box. You can play HD on the client but the PCH is probably cheaper and a helluva lot less work. I have one of each (HD client and PCH) but the PCH works better and was almost plug & play (thanks to Martin). There's no farting about with video cards, drivers, decoders, registry settings, etc. It's also smaller and silent and makes a good conversation piece when people wonder just what the hell a Popcorn Hour is. Even tho I spent about $350 on the client, I've often considered replacing it with a second PCH. Anyway, my $0.02 worth...

[soccerdad]

Thanks zed. I knew I saw posts on this, but could not find them in the search. Popcorn hour and client are tough search words. As I noted, I do want to keep a PC at that TV anyway, but it will have to be updated cause it has a dying power supply so the costs will likely be about the same on either path I take. Anyway, I guess I will look at the Popcorn hour some more. That said, for playback, are any of the PCH versions much better than the rest? Also, I assume your comments mean that an HD client can be made to work?

I value zed's comments, but welcome any others.

[soccerdad]

Ok, I found a lot of posts on this by seaching Popcorn hour and comskip. I think I have enough to go on. Thanks for all the help.

[zed]

... Also, I assume your comments mean that an HD client can be made to work?...

Yes, it works for me using an ASUS M3A78 motherboard with an Athlon 5000+ X2 and 2G of memory. I run HDMI out to my Viewsonic LCD HDTV. Most of the recordings are OTA ATSC or off my HD-PVR. It's not 100% but pretty darn close (99.8?).