Newb with some questions

[steve45058]

Hi, I am looking to buy this computer from a friend

This HP Pavilion a1523w Media Center Desktop Computer features one Intel Pentium D 820 Dual Core 2.8GHz processor, 250GB Serial ATA 7200 rpm hard drive, and 1GB standard memory. It includes 2GB maximum memory capability, and the Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 with SP2 operating system.

Would this computer be capable of doing HD stuff? I know ppl reccomend 3ghz + but i figure since its a dual core...

Also, how do you guys connect to more than 1 tv? My cable company is gonna charge me 8 dollars a month for a 2nd reciever thats not even HD. The second tV will not be hd.

Thanks in advance for helping a newbie

[Captcol]

For multiple tv's you need multiple computers, 1 for each tv unless you want the same picture on all tvs at the same time, you can also look at the hauppauge mpv or the popcornhour as clients.

You will also need to purchase at least one tuner card for the computer, without hunting out the specifications of that computer you need to check the video capabilities and if it can fit full size cards. So you need to know what the expansion slots are, if they are full size etc

Edit:
It has svideo out so unless you tv has a vga input you will need to use this, the motherboard also has 3 pci so that gives you plenty for tuners as well as a pci-e 16x slot for a graphics card if needed.

[ilovejedd]

You might be better off renting that $8/mo box from your cable company. Also, define "HD stuff". Specifically, what would be the codec, resolution and sources for HD?

[imagn]

Ok,

I'm putting my 0.02 in, i have hd running on an P4 2.8gh, the processor you listed should be adequet, but it also important to have a decent video card as well.

Now the assumtion here is using GBPVR:
You can have multiple tuners in one computer that will allow you to record different channels at the same time. There are also options for emulating your TV channels from the computer to another TV using this method, look up mvpmc or hauppauge media mvp

The problem with Digital Cable, is that it is encrypted, so you arent, going to be able to get much digital channels without that cable box, but if you dont need HD, you can still connect your computer to the box and record SD TV from it, Just not HD TV. This is allitle more complicated but there would be many people here who could help.


My main thing is you could probably build a better computer for cheaper too and have what you want in it

[steve45058]

any video cards u guys reccomend? i was planning on getting the hauppage hvr 1600 for the computer also. my friend is giving this computer to me for only 100 bucks. is that a good deal?

ive heard of the media mvp to use on another tv. will this allow watching different channels from two tvs, or do i have to watch the same channels as the main tv has? i dont plan on doing anything with the second tv, just watching stuff.

[Captcol]

Essentially you need a tuner for each channel that you wish to record or view simultaneously. So if you want to record one channel, watch a different channel and watch a third channel on the second tv, you will need 3 tuners in your system, some maybe dual tuners etc. If you are only wanting to watch recorded content on the second tv then that is fine.

As far as video cards, I personally prefer nvidia mainly cause i had one ati card that was faulty and had to return, which was more bad luck than a reflection on the actual card. The 8400 and 8500's are supposed to be good as are the 8600's and 9600's basically it comes down to how much money and if you are going to use the computer for other purposes. Other things to take into account are how are you going to connect to the tv and what resolution are you going to run at.

[steve45058]

hey captcol, what about the new hauppage thats out? i think its hvr 2250? cause if that doesnt work it seems like my best option would be to just get the reciever from the cable company or else I would have to have a computer for each tv, which is a little ridiculous haha

[Captcol]

I only use a analogue tuner for normal tv and a satelite tuner for unscrambled satelite tv so I have only limited knowledge of other areas.

The cheapest option is to have decoder in each room but this doesn't allow you to record anything, HTPC is a hobby, if you just want to record the odd tv programme get a dvd recorder with a hard drive in it.

[imagn]

hey captcol, what about the new hauppage thats out? i think its hvr 2250? cause if that doesnt work it seems like my best option would be to just get the reciever from the cable company or else I would have to have a computer for each tv, which is a little ridiculous haha

Steve, i have seen some posts about the hvr 2250 and it seems to work with GBPVR, but would search the formums for a better answer.

As i said before, you will not be able to view the digital channels you want without a box from the cable company, even if its regular Standard Definition rather than HD. Most cable companies encyrpt (scramble) the digital signal and only a box will be able to decode it. You are able to get all the analog channels you subscribe to, and can use gbpvr with.

My recomendation is to make sure you have some energy and time to invest in setting this up otherwise you will likely get frustrated. This should be looked at as a fun project that might not be what you intend it to be, but fun none the less

The easier route it to go with the cable company but that takes all the fun out of it.

[whurlston]

I only use a analogue tuner for normal tv and a satelite tuner for unscrambled satelite tv so I have only limited knowledge of other areas.

The cheapest option is to have decoder in each room but this doesn't allow you to record anything, HTPC is a hobby, if you just want to record the odd tv programme get a dvd recorder with a hard drive in it.

Bda.ini entries for the 2250: http://forums.gbpvr.com/showpost.php?p=2...ostcount=5

Direct.ini entry is a few posts below it.