so, I'm making my first media center...

[flyswatta]

Encoding (er, saving the file to disk) isn't a problem. Decoding can be. You need a decent card with a hardware decoder. See the sticky thread at the top of this forum.

[sub]

so you watch hdtv channels via your htpc without any issues, despite not having the encoding?
By your comment, I take it you meant that digital signals don't need encoding, which is why you have no issues with it?

Its encoded by the broadcaster before transmission. GB-PVR is just writting the stream to disk - no further encoding required.

[csmaster2005]

ok so you mean it is just writing it to disk BEFORE it reads it? (I want to watch it the same time I'm recording for example)
my gfx card I will use for it will be good - radeon x800, shouldn't be a problem.
But I just want to get an idea on how it would be while watching.

[linene]

hmm I'm a bit confused.

Hardware encoding just means it changes the signal to basically be read by the computer to send the output signal correct? I'm a bit confused why one type would need encoding and the other wouldnt.

Also, I'm trying to make a decision... should I go with an ATI HDTV wonder that comes with an antenna like this - http://www.systemcooling.com/images/.../image2big.jpg

or should I grab this antenna http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16882125057 with this card http://www.geeks.com/details.asp?invtid=32500 ?

(This is for the HDTV part of the system, I think I'm going to get a pvr 150 or 250 for the analog)

csmaster2005,

see my comments on this in your other thread: http://forums.nextpvr.com/showthread.php?t=27842

[flyswatta]

ok so you mean it is just writing it to disk BEFORE it reads it? (I want to watch it the same time I'm recording for example)

Yes.

[csmaster2005]

ok so here's what I'm ending up getting.
AMD Athlon 64 4000
Decent asus mobo
2x512mb ddr ram
1 pvr-150 (for analog)
1 TwinhanDTV 32500 (for hdtv)
1 ZDHDTV1 HDTV antenna (supposedly one of the top indoor ones) to plug into the twinhan 32500

How does all that sound?
thanks

[Ted the Penguin]

sounds good to me, but what video card are you using?... x800 you said?

[csmaster2005]

sorry. Yes radeon rx800 128mb