Low Profile TV and Graphics Cards?

stackeye

Hi All

I have a Dell Optiplex 745 that I want to turn into a Media Center, it has a Core 2 processor and I will be putting over 2 gigs of ram in it, what I am looking for now is a Low Profile PCI Graphics card that will handle HD and a Low Profile PCI-E TV Card that will handle DVB-T and DVB-S2,

For the Graphics Card I am thinking of this, not sure if its Low Profile though

any ideas on the TV Card?

Carter P Fly

I presume you mean a PCIe X16 graphics adapter and a PCIe X1 tuner? thers no suitable pci HD cards that you'll find. You have enought slots to not use a pci version:

Slots
2 full height PCI
-(H: 4.2" X L: 11")
1 PCIe x16 full height graphics,
-(H: 4.2" X L: 9")
1 PCIe x1 full height
-(H: 4.2" X L: 9")

Radeon 5450 is a good HTPC silent card.

http://www.dabs.ie/products/sapphire-technology-ati-radeon-hd-5450-650mhz-512mb-ddr3-pci-express-dvi--low-profile--6L9B.html?refs=52400000

This PCi low profile card:

http://www.dabs.ie/products/best-value-compro-videomate-vista-t220-digital-pci-card-6L3C.html

Plus this S2 dual card low profile card

http://www.dabs.ie/products/tbs-dual-dvb-s2-pcie-tv-tuner-card-7KTN.html

RoxyS

I agree with Carter P Fly. Best value for money is Radeon HD 5450.

However I went for this version from XFX instead of Sapphire, slightly cheaper, in stock, and faster ram speeds.
http://www.dabs.ie/products/xfx-ati-radeon-5450-hd-512mb-sddr3-pci-express-hdmi-76JF.html

I am also waiting on Happauge HVR 4400 from dabs.
DVB-T and DVB-S2 (hiDef), with S-Video inputs for camcorder etc.
Best price I could find 123 euro, delivered.

stackeye

Thanks for the reply's Charter and Roxys

I'm afraid I only have a small form factor Dell Optiplex 745, this only has one PCI(non express) slot and one PCI-E X16 slot,

I am think of this for the Graphics Card, its PCI(non E)

CLUB 3D CGA-5452PLI RADEON HD 5450 512MB DDR2

And this for the TV Card

BGT3630 PCI-e DVB-T2 + DVB-S2

I was looking at the hauppage 4400 but couldn't find were to buy it, do you know when dabs will have it?

Thanks for the help so far
Shane

RoxyS

Look like good choices.
So you are having to pay a bit more for the PCI version HD 5450.
Right size, good integration with Win7 (and WMC). Passive and silent.
It should offload a lot of CPU processing to GPU.

Also consider USB connected boxes/sticks if slots become an issue.
I am installing a DVB-T stick internally on spare USB, to give dual DVB-T for recording etc.

HVR4400 is taking a long time to come from Dabs.ie, placed order 19th July. Looks like one more week.
Its worth the wait, as I need the extra RCA/S-Video connections to match with my case inputs. 123 euro delivered by Dabs is the best price you will get. Just missed a 2nd hand one on fleeBay yesterday, £55+UK postage.

Carter P Fly

man, When I needed a PCi videocard for a dell gx240 I was dicking about with I couldn't find the club one anywhere that shipped to ireland. Good find there!!!

stackeye

Hi Roxys

I've looked up the BGT3630 and the 4400 but I can't really tell the difference, What does the 4400 do that the BTG3630 doesn't?

RoxyS

Stackeye,

To be honest, I really dont see one.
BGT3630 has all HVR4400 functions, and some (DVB-T2 and DVB-C).

Not sure I could use the DVB-C on my UPC connection, or want to.
Either way this seems to be shared with DVB-T/T2 tuner. So cant run both T & C together.
(Planning to use DVB-T for Saorview, does RTE2-HD require DVB-T2 ??)

I was not aware of the BGT3630 when I started out in my planning.
Given the delay is getting dabs.ie to deliver, or even give some proper customer support info, I am now considering cancelling my order and going Blackgold.

Tks for highlighting this product. I think it represents better value for money.
123euro for HVR4400 delivered, Dublin, and BGT3630 140euro delivered.

The HVR4400 does have an internal port connector on the card, which I planned to hook up to my case RCA connections (I have a floating cable to fit this particular card connector). So HVR4400 might be a neater install for my setup, but maybe shorter on overall functionality. Choices choices.

dabs.ie have one last chance to sort, or else I cancel.

Carter P Fly

hauppauge have been around longer, seem more stable and have better driver support. Youre paying additional money for an established and reputable brand.

RoxyS

Hauppauge HVR4400 is the cheaper one ?

[update] I have just got a new HVR-4400 on ebay Germany. Cancelled dabs order. I was tempted to go for BGT3630, but stuck with the plan. Also found out that the Hauppauge has a new WinTV 7 software has an addon to stream video around the wifi house, and internet. Also various devices can attached, PC, iPhone, iPad etc.

stackeye

Hi RoxyS

What german website did you use to order that Card?

RoxyS

It was a private sale on eBay.
Received it, and installed, working well, and links in nicely with my HTPC case ports