changing my setup...need input

[mkuyper]

I'm looking into some different setup changes for my GBPVR. Currently, I have my GBPVR PC upstairs, using a Hauppauge WinTV-PVR USB2 with an ethernet cable running from a router to my MediaMVP downstairs which is sitting on top of my TV.

But here's the reason for the change - I recently purchased an iMac which is going to be my main computer (I know, I know, spit and curse on me all you want..)

So, I'm looking into the option of moving my GBPVR downstairs behind the TV, connecting the ethernet cable to it, connecting the Hauppauge USB2 to it, getting rid of the MVP, buying a VGA to TV adapter to connect the PC to my TV (my video card doesn't have TV OUT, so I thought this would be the next best and cheapest alternative). And since it's connected directly to the TV display, I think it would make sense to buy a wireless keyboard/mouse combo for it so I could also surf the internet and stuff on my TV. I'd probably put GBPVR in my startup menu also so when I reboot the PC, GBPVR is automatically displayed.

I'm interested in your thoughts on this setup.

Also, I have a question. I've been using the MediaMVP remote with GBPVR on my TV. With the new setup described above, will the Hauppauge remote that came with the WinTV PVR USB2 work to navigate GBPVR? I've just always used the MVP so I don't know how this works.

Thanks for you input and answers!

[Ted the Penguin]

surfing the internet on a SD TV can be pretty painful, I suggest an HDTV

you could have some trouble getting the vga to svideo/composite adapter to provide acceptable picture quality

[mkuyper]

Thanks.

Anyone else? Any comments on the remote question?

[steves]

errm silly question but aren't the MVP and PVR remotes the same?

Steve

[wtg]

surfing the internet on a SD TV can be pretty painful, I suggest an HDTV

I second that. If you don't have HD, you aren't going to like what you see - you'll never use it. And even with HD, unless you're sitting real close to the TV, you still might not use it. Sitting across the room on a couch really begs for a 10-ft interface like GBPVR uses, and your basic computer desktop uses fonts that assume you're sitting much, much closer.

Re: a VGA to TV adapter, I seriously doubt you can get one for less money than a new video card. You don't mention what kind of card you have now, but if it has no TV out I'm guessing it's old since it's hard to find a card that doesn't have TV out in recent years. Virtually any basic $50-70 (US) card will have TV out, produce a better picture than an adapter, and probably be a step up performance-wise.

Alternatively, you could throw another network card in your PC for $15 and continue to use the MVP for your TV, simply connecting the MVP directly to the new nic. Put your PC where you'd like (near the TV or not) and you could control your PC (for setup and what not) via a VNC connection from your mac and not even have a monitor attached to it.

[mkuyper]

Cool. I'll look into just getting a reasonably inexpensive video card.

About the remote - yes, I know it's the same remote as the MVP - I'm just wondering how the setup works using just a Hauppauge wintv pvr usb2 and GBPVR with NO MVP. Can I use the Hauppauge remote through the USB2 to access GBPVR?

[sub]

Can I use the Hauppauge remote through the USB2 to access GBPVR?

Yes

[mpking]

I'd probably put GBPVR in my startup menu also so when I reboot the PC, GBPVR is automatically displayed.

There's a section in the WIKI on how to do this better:

http://gbpvr.com/pmwiki/pmwiki.php/Tips/BootIntoGBPVR

[mkuyper]

Anyone have suggestions for a CHEAP video card that would get the job done? I just notice a lot of discussion about video cards in the forum. Again, note that this is going to basically be a standalone GBPVR machine - no serious gaming going on.

Specific card suggestion?
128 MB? 256 MB? Brands most compatible with GBPVR?

Fyi, I have a 2.8 Ghz Celeron, XP Home, HPa410n.

thanks.

[Ted the Penguin]

if you are going cheap, get an ATI card, it will have better support for VMR, old cheap nvidia cards cause tearing (from many peoples experience), unless you use the overlay renderer, then it doesnt matter

I would suggest a radeon 9550, it works with the latest ATI drivers and can be had for < $40 on newegg