Dedicated PVR desktop question

[scj6771]

Lets say I have decided to dedicate a desktop for the sole purpose of a PVR rig, lets also say that the desktop (IBM NetVista Pentium 4 model number: 6790-21U) uses half height (low profile) cards, now lets continue to say the operating system is Win XP Pro SP2.

I have realized that I do not want to "tie" my primary rig up with additional components.

Also I am thinking of connecting a KVM switch from the PVR rig to my primary rig.

I really do not need to watch TV on my primary rig, I just wanna schedule and record shows and be able to send them back to my TV.

My questions are the following:

1. Find best possible PVR solution for my PVR rig's "half height" problem. Perhaps a USB TV tuner?

2. Do I really need a "good" graphics card in the PVR rig if I do not plan on watching tv on my desktop?

3. Could I in theory hook up a KVM switch just so I could bounce from primary to PVR rig? (do not need another monitor in the room, to messy as it is).

4. Will I have any issues running Win XP Pro?

I hope this makes sense to you? I just want to "tuck" the PVR rig away and access it through my primary rig.

[bgowland]

1. Find best possible PVR solution for my PVR rig's "half height" problem. Perhaps a USB TV tuner?

2. Do I really need a "good" graphics card in the PVR rig if I do not plan on watching tv on my desktop?

3. Could I in theory hook up a KVM switch just so I could bounce from primary to PVR rig? (do not need another monitor in the room, to messy as it is).

4. Will I have any issues running Win XP Pro?

1. There are some half-height (low profile aka LP) capture cards around depending on what format you're after (analogue terrestrial, cable, digital etc - I don't think LP covers them all). USB devices will give alternative devices. Check the forums first to see if a device is supported before buying it though.

2. Nope - the gfx card has nothing to do with the recording. A good one is only needed if watching TV at the desktop or outputting to a TV. BTW - where do you plan watching TV/recordings?

3. Yep. Use a KVM switch or alternatively use VNC (or similar remote desktop software).

4. Nope - a lot of us here use XP Pro.

Cheers,
Brian

[dvasco]

You can also get a good RF keyboard with integrated mouse such as the Xgene found at http://www.pcalchemy.com/index.php/sort/...079e1fc37d to control the PVR machine. I don't have one but I do want one. I use a wireless kb and mouse that has a shorter range and sometimes use UltraVNC if at the desk.

[scj6771]

BTW - where do you plan watching TV/recordings?

Well I thought I could just save them to the hard drive of the PVR rig and maybe edit or do whatever with them and watch them on my TV.

[prouton]

Another way to handle setting up recordings is to install GB-PVR on the main computer in client mode. All recording gets down on the PVR rig, but you've got the GB-PVR interface, program guide, etc. available on the main rig. It just seems easier to me than using RealVNC (although I also have that set up for running Config or restarting the PVR computer).

[stustunz]

how do you think the tv gets its picture ?
you need a good video card to do this as the tv will only serve as a monitor when you are watching your recorded mpegs

[dvasco]

Another way to handle setting up recordings is to install GB-PVR on the main computer in client mode. All recording gets down on the PVR rig, but you've got the GB-PVR interface, program guide, etc. available on the main rig. It just seems easier to me than using RealVNC (although I also have that set up for running Config or restarting the PVR computer).

I am sure he mentioned the KVM for setup and configuration, such as GBPVR upgrades, installing plugins, and even maybe a few non-GBPVR items. Client mode is great, especially for searching, but EWA is better for that IMO.

[dvasco]

how do you think the tv gets its picture ?
you need a good video card to do this as the tv will only serve as a monitor when you are watching your recorded mpegs

I do wish we has a list of ratings of video cards. I think that would be a good subforum within hardware. Also needed is a list of things that can make things better or worse. I found out that skipping on my video was caused by the GBPVR screensaver on the MVPs.

[scj6771]

Here are a few suggestions I got from dhrandy on another forum. Any thoughts?


If you use Beyond TV, you can schedule recordings from the web.

1. WinTV-PVR-150-MCE I.p low profile card. 2 if you want dual tuners.

2. I was using onboard video on my rig at first. I ended up buying an ATI 9600XT all-in-wonder for around $50. You don't need anything really expensive for standard tv. I don't really recommend onboard video. Here is a low-profile video card for $42.99. Does that PC take a low-profile card with a regular bracket or low profile bracket also, this also goes for the tv tuner card?

3. Just use your tv as the monitor and get a cheap wireless keyboard and mouse. It's probably just as cheap as a KVM switch. When you need to go into the pvr, just use remote desktop that is built into XP Pro. That's what I use with my server that has no monitor, keyboard or mouse. You could just use the remote.

4. I would recommend XP pro. That's what I use.

[dvasco]

Here are a few suggestions I got from dhrandy on another forum. Any thoughts?


If you use Beyond TV, you can schedule recordings from the web.

1. WinTV-PVR-150-MCE I.p low profile card. 2 if you want dual tuners.

2. I was using onboard video on my rig at first. I ended up buying an ATI 9600XT all-in-wonder for around $50. You don't need anything really expensive for standard tv. I don't really recommend onboard video. Here is a low-profile video card for $42.99. Does that PC take a low-profile card with a regular bracket or low profile bracket also, this also goes for the tv tuner card?

3. Just use your tv as the monitor and get a cheap wireless keyboard and mouse. It's probably just as cheap as a KVM switch. When you need to go into the pvr, just use remote desktop that is built into XP Pro. That's what I use with my server that has no monitor, keyboard or mouse. You could just use the remote.

4. I would recommend XP pro. That's what I use.

Beyond TV web admin looks too goofy. GBPVR EWA is much better. You should not get a cheap wireless kb and mouse since the range is not what stated. However I have heard plenty of positive reviews of the RF keyboard I mentioned, including from a coworker. Remote desktop is ok, many people including myself prefer VNC. That video card is not fanless. The fan will make too much noise.