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  • 07-08-2006 6:17pm
    #1
    ntlbell
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,288 ✭✭✭✭


    Hi

    I'm fairly new to the whole HTPC/Media centre and I'm looking for recommendations on hardware.

    I would ideally like something small and quiet that will look well under the tv it will be mostly used for watching/Recording TV (I would like to be able to do both at the same time) watching divx and playing net radio throughout the house.

    If I could stream recorded tv to pc's/laptops in the house it would be a bonus but not essential.

    I would prefer not to fork out for MCE but if it's the best at the job I will.

    Thanks in advance


Comments

  • #2
    SouperComputer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,949 ✭✭✭SouperComputer


    well if you plan streaming, MythTV (linux) is the way to go. Its a very good server\client setup, but you can install a streming plugin whereby you can actually initate a stream from your HTPC, specify the bitrate and then open the stream using VLC, Media Player etc etc.

    Knoppmyth is a handy way of getting started, but from your sig you seem into BSD, so MythTV should be no bother to you.

    Specs wise, you dont need a powehouse, espcially with MythTV. Some have gotten away with as low as P3 550's for a single record setup. This is using a hardware MPEG card such as the PVR150 from hauppage. Watching recorded TV while recording another show is no bother with a 1.6Ghz CPU, I would say you could get away with a 1.2Ghz. HTPC's arent actually that demanding. Of course, if you plan capturing on the fly in MPEG4 to save space, then your CPU requirements shoot up.

    Also, if you plan watching HD content, a CPU around the 2.8Ghz mark is needed.

    For music streaming, have a look a slimserver and it's java client softsqueeze


  • #3
    ntlbell
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 16,288 ✭✭✭✭ntlbell


    Thanks Souper

    Will I need two STB's to watch and record at the same time?

    I have an old NTL STB which has one scart socket.

    What would be the best way to connec this to the tv card? scart > svideo?

    any recommendations on cases? silent fans? gfx cards?


  • #4
    SouperComputer
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 6,949 ✭✭✭SouperComputer


    well, yes you will need two tuners/STB's if you wish to watch live TV at the same time as recording anotehr station. That said though, when you first set it up and schedule your programs, after the first week or so you will have lots of TV already recorded to watch.

    The PVR500 from hauppage is a popular choice, in has two tuners\encoders built into one PCI card. You will need a bracket to use the 2nd Svideo/composite input.

    The NTL boxen dont generally output an Svideo signal on teh SCART cable, so you can either take the composite signal or buy an RGB to Svideo converter. The second option is the best. It is a converter though, not an adaptor.

    Graphics card wise, an Nvidia FX5200 is a cheap, capeable card with DX9 support should you somehow decide to run MCE later. You could pickup one for about €25 used, most of them have a passive cooler which is a bonus.

    CPU coolers, the thermaright XP90 and 120 provide great cooling with very little noise. Aslo, if you use a decent motehrboard, you can undervolt the CPU to keep the heat down.


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