2007-07-23, 04:59 AM
Ok folks ... Now that I have a new 50 inch plasma I will probably get digital cable. That means STB's (yuck!) so I need to change things. Let me explain what I have now and what I would like to end up with. I'm looking for capture card and video card recommendations here.
First I have a question though. If I get a HD capture card and record from it, will it record in a different format than MPEG? If I go to all this trouble I want my recordings to be in HD as well.
Right now I have 2 HTPC's, one of which is a MVP server with a haup pvr-150 and the other is a stand alone (though the recording directory shared to the network) with a haup pvr-250. Cable (Cox) from the wall to both. Both HTPC's are in my office and the MVP is downstairs currently hooked to the plasma.
What I want to end up with is one STB for the tv (tv has only one RF input), another STB hooked to a HD HTPC, and then the stand alone with cable from the wall to the pvr-250 and I will probably move the 150 into the stand alone box as well. I'll likely put the new HD HTPC and both STB's downstairs with the TV so I know I will need a quiet case etc.
I want to hook the HD HTPC directly to the plasma, can be component, composite, svideo, HDMI, or VGA. Which would be the best video connection and what would be the best card for that connection?
What capture card would be the best for receiving and recording HD shows from the STB?
I'll move the MVP up to the bedroom hooked to a 36" JVC CRT tv, that's what used to be downstairs. I'd like the MVP to hook to the HD HTPC so my other big question is can I transcode on the fly form whatever my HD capture card records to mpeg for the MVP?
I know this is a lot to ask but I really want to design this whole thing perfectly from the ground up.
Thanks greatly in advance!
Ram
First I have a question though. If I get a HD capture card and record from it, will it record in a different format than MPEG? If I go to all this trouble I want my recordings to be in HD as well.
Right now I have 2 HTPC's, one of which is a MVP server with a haup pvr-150 and the other is a stand alone (though the recording directory shared to the network) with a haup pvr-250. Cable (Cox) from the wall to both. Both HTPC's are in my office and the MVP is downstairs currently hooked to the plasma.
What I want to end up with is one STB for the tv (tv has only one RF input), another STB hooked to a HD HTPC, and then the stand alone with cable from the wall to the pvr-250 and I will probably move the 150 into the stand alone box as well. I'll likely put the new HD HTPC and both STB's downstairs with the TV so I know I will need a quiet case etc.
I want to hook the HD HTPC directly to the plasma, can be component, composite, svideo, HDMI, or VGA. Which would be the best video connection and what would be the best card for that connection?
What capture card would be the best for receiving and recording HD shows from the STB?
I'll move the MVP up to the bedroom hooked to a 36" JVC CRT tv, that's what used to be downstairs. I'd like the MVP to hook to the HD HTPC so my other big question is can I transcode on the fly form whatever my HD capture card records to mpeg for the MVP?
I know this is a lot to ask but I really want to design this whole thing perfectly from the ground up.
Thanks greatly in advance!
Ram
system 1 - PVR-250 and HVR-1600
system 2 - PVR-150 and HVR-1600
system 2 - PVR-150 and HVR-1600