remote/tuner suggestions

[meekajr]

I decided to take some parts that were lying around and put together an HTPC system. Here is my current system:

Window 7 Ultimate
ASUS V3-M2A690G Barebone system (I'll never buy an ASUS barebone system again)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+ Windsor 2.2GHz 65W Dual-Core Processor
A-DATA DDR2 800 2GB (will be 4GB when A-DATA sends back the DRAM module I RMAed)
Seagate Barracuda 7200.9 160GB PATA (for OS and apps)
Western Digital Caviar Green 800GB SATA (new "Advanced Format" 4K sector drive for recordings)
SAMSUNG DVD+/-RW SATA
Cooler Master eXtreme Power Plus 500W

I probably have it connected to an old 27" tube TV, but may eventually move it to a 42" plasma. The ASUS barebone system include an HDMI output as well as a standard video output for the tube TV. Granted, I have tested them, but the drivers appear to at least be installed. Here are my questions:

I'm leaning towards getting a Hauppage 2250 with the MCE remote, but was looking at some suggestions. I currently have local cable (Charter Communications), but it's not a digital package. I thought the card would fit my needs (dual tuner, hardware encoder), but was wondering if I would be better off finding a different remote. (1) Any reason not to get the Hauppage 2250?

(2) Anyone have any suggestions on $30-$40 (US) remote that works well with GB-PVR? I like the idea of using an RF remote, but I don't know it would be necessary. Gyration RF remotes look interesting, but I'm not sure if I want to spend that much.

(3) Also, since I don't have the tuner card yet, would I be better off just waiting until the new release comes out? If I ordered the card today, I'd get it in a week and it'd probably be a few more days before it was installed. Assuming I order today, we're probably looking at installing the first week of June.

Related to the previous question. (4) When I get a tuner card, should I install the card first or GB-PVR first or does it matter?

Thanks for any help you can provide. I hear good things about GB-PVR and hope I can get it up and running soon.

[meekajr]

I forgot to mention it's Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit

Newegg now has a $30 MIR (mail-in-rebate) for the 2250 w/remote which makes it cheaper than the unit without the remote. Granted, MIRs are often a crapshoot, but if I don't like the remote it comes with it I can always get another remote when the MIR comes in (hopefully it does).

This leads to another question. We'll call it (5) Would anyone suggest I put Windows Vista Ultimate 32-bit on this computer instead of Windows 7 Ultimate 64-bit? If I can find my Vista product key, I could do it. I was originally thinking of putting a 30-40GB SSD which Windows 7 would be better with TRIM support. With the fan of my PSU being louder than anything else in my system, that is no longer a major concern. If I switched to Vista, I would probably switch out the (potential) 4GB A-DATA DDR2 800 with 2GB Patriot DDR2 800. Which leads to another question. (6) If I stick with Windows 7, should I still move from 4GB to 2GB? Is the extra 2GB necessary?

HTPC goals:
Store and (maybe) convert videos
Watch and record live TV
possible network storage

I'm new to the whole HTPC thing so any help would be appreciated. Thanks.

[JonnyCam]

I don't see many reasons to go with anything but the hauppauge MCE remote. Pretty sure it comes with the USB receiver, maning it will be able to sleep & wake your PC.
(except for the lack of RF)
And GBPVR has native support for it, the whole remote navigation thing was based around the original hauppauge remotes I think.

If I stick with Windows 7, should I still move from 4GB to 2GB? Is the extra 2GB necessary?

More than 2GB not really needed for the HTPC.
I run 32 bit Win7 (2GB ram in my PC) and don't have any issues with it.

pBS says a little bit about it here, noting how drivers etc can be harder to get for 64bit, plus most of the video decoders are 32bit anyway
http://forums.gbpvr.com//showthread.php?...post375921

In saying that, I'd probably like Win7 over Vista, but that's because it comes with it's own set of decoder which people have reported goo results with. (for h264 & MPEG2)
(and it's good nice eye candy - but I upgraded from XP to Win7, so never actually used Vista)

[meekajr]

pBS says a little bit about it here, noting how drivers etc can be harder to get for 64bit, plus most of the video decoders are 32bit anyway
http://forums.gbpvr.com//showthread.php?...post375921

I had seen that thread, which is what made me think maybe going with a 32-bit Vista would be better than a 64-bit Windows 7. I was never real impressed with Vista's UI, but if it's only to use as an HTPC, I figure I could get over it. Although, saving 4GB for different build also means that build should probably have a 64-bit OS. Hmm....