New build / 1st HTPC

pa99

Hi ,

I've been reading over the forums for a while and starting to get close to D day.

Bored paying sky so much given the % of channels I actually watch.

I have an old TT Tsunami case doing nothing so should start filling it up. Have built quite a few gaming rigs so will figure this out.

Initially this setup should just replace the sky box. Tuners are new to me but we'll give it a go.

Would anybody rate this processor and board for this job?
( http://www.missingremote.com/review/intel-sandy-bridge-core-i5-2500k-and-dh67bl-motherboard )

That's my first decision. I think.

Thanks for the help

pa99

OK , maybe this a pretty much a nocturnal forum

With regard to tuner cards. I need a sperate one for the Sky dish feed and if I were to purchase an antenna for Saorview I'd need another ? Is there a combo? Are they tyipcally PCI express , would suit the board above better I guess. Keeping a 16x for a decent graphics card..

Shall keep researching , just looking for some opinions..

thanks.

SmashingPilot

Hi, as regards tuner cards this is the one I currently use in my HTPC.

http://shop.blackgold.tv/BGT3595

It is a PCI Express X1 card, has a dual DVB-S2 tuner for watching/recording your satellite channels.
The third connection can be used as an analogue tuner or DVB-T tuner, suitable for saorview.
I've had mine for about a year now, use it daily and haven't had a single problem with it so far. It is also suitable for half height cases. So I'd recommend this one.

I also have another HTPC which uses:
http://www.hauppauge.co.uk/site/products/data_novahds2.html
but this is only a single DVB-S2 tuner.

It is coupled with this analogue tuner which I use currently use for analogue UPC:
http://komplett.ie/Komplett/product/ZKB_01COM/25_TVTUNER/01_ANALOG/productdetails/10018416/Avermedia_AverTV_Go_007_MCE__Vista_W7_OEM_PCI/M15C_D/default.aspx

These are all cards I recommend depending on your needs. There may be newer cards out since though and I use Windows Media Center for watching TV. You could also use a program like Media Portal also.

pa99

Excellent , that first card could be the very thing

Will have another read later on and put in a mass order tomorrow.

Did you order from BG directly? Any suppliers in Ireland? I just sent them a quick mail about pricing and delivery ..

Thanks again , no doubt I'll be back with problems. sure I'll post them should anyone else wander in.

So looking forward to cancelling Sky

SmashingPilot

Ye, I ordered direct from Blackgold. Its a while back now but I'm pretty sure the card was delivered pretty quickly. The only thing to note is it doesn't come with a media center remote, so that will be extra.

You've got experience building so that won't be a problem. Will just come down to what media program you want to use but setup isn't too difficult.
I love having all the benefits of Sky Plus without having Sky Plus, pausing, rewinding and recording live tv and series linking. You're making the right choice. Between Freesat/Saorview channels and the internet, you'll never be short of anything to watch.

Goodluck with your build and setup.

pa99

Thanks for the remote advice. Will look into that once the main components are on order.. Tomorrow I think:D


Thanks again..

pa99

Will this one do the same job. Just incase I'm missing some small difference ?

https://www.btowstore.com/epages/BT3159.sf/secf732def7cf/?ObjectPath=/Shops/BT3159/Products/BGT3590

possibly the same part :rolleyes:

Thanks..

pa99

Any thoughts out there on this card. Getting more expensive. Are there any PCIe cards that compare. Want to run the dish and saorview antenna in ?

BlackGold BGT3600 Dual DVB-T2/DVB-C, Dual DVB-S2, Analogue TV Tuner

BlackGold BGT3600 Dual DVB-T2/DVB-C, Dual DVB-S2, Analogue, Composite/S-video/Component video PCIe product

Thanks..

mcgovern

You could get a cheap (less than a tenner) external usb for saorview. I have the Hauppauge one that Smashing Pilot linked to for Freesat, and a USB one for Saorview. In Win 7 MC the 2 are combined seamlessly.

pa99

Will have to start looking at alternatives I think. That BGt3600 is OOS until the end of february. Would have been nice to be able to record and watch from both sources even if I'm not sure how big a need I have for it.

Just annoying given the rest of the build should be here soon.

Will look into the Hauppauge card I think. Cheers for the advice.

mcgovern

Big thread in Bargain Alerts about the cheap USB receivers.

pa99

Sound , unfortunately I'll prob have to read up on those.. Picture quality as good as a decent antenna ?

johnybean

Sorry if I sound like a noob here (it's coz I am!) but would the below do the same job as the 3600 thats OOS? I am also looking to build HTPC with "Sky+" capabilities for fressat channels and saorview channels


http://shop.blackgold.tv/epages/BT3159.sf/en_GB/?ObjectPath=/Shops/BT3159/Products/BGT3630

pa99

I'd say some of the more experienced builders will give you some more accurate advice. I had looked at that card. I'm not sure if you can watch and record a different channel with that one. I've decided I'm not going to worry about that too much for now. I've gone with the Hauppauge 4400 for now. Similar to the BG you suggested I think. Plan is to get the machine together and running on the 4400 for now then go from there. I'm sure that card could be sold on quite easily should I choose to.

Good luck with the build. Keep us posted on your progress / plans. I'm already looking into a storage solution for this setup. I have space in the case , maybe I'll put in the drives and see how noisy it is. Some sound proofing maybe.

Good luck. Oh , Sky cancelled today , glorious

johnybean

Nice one Pa

I hope to get mine cancelled if I can get this system up and running in the coming months. I am sick of sky, during the xmas I went from channel 101 to 890 and there wasnt a SINGLE thing on!!Decided at that stage to get rid asap. cant disconnect until I have replacemnt as my 19 month old would kick my ass if she disnt get her daily fix of Mickey Mouse on the Disney channel!!

Hope the Hauppauge works out for you

Roynie

Hi All,

I have just finished putting together my first HTPC box, but have yet to identify a TV card.

I am after a dual tuner so that I can record one channel and watch another at the same time. I do have a Freesat box and a Soarview box, so I could just plug them in, but I wouldn't have the watch / record separate channel facility on the same box.

The BG site says that the BGT3595 has been withdrawn and is no longer available

Can anyone recommend a card that will receive both UK Freeview and Soarview signals, with dual channels? If not what is the next best thing?

Thanks.

pa99

Hey ,

well as far as I know the 3600 is the replacement if you can get your hands on one. http://shop.blackgold.tv/epages/BT3159.sf/en_AU/?ObjectPath=/Shops/BT3159/Products/BGT3600

Have the HTPC up and running. All is going pretty well. Loving XBMC. The PVR with it isn't great at the moment. Hopefully that can be tidied up but I have my doubts about how good it can be. Maybe somebody knows of a good xbmc build with a well behaved PVR , channel sorting etc.

For some reason I ended picking up a hauppauge 5500 from Germany. Does the job. Really wanted the BG but was tired waiting so just bought something to get moving. Does the job I guess.

Not missing Sky , at all..

MyPeopleDrankTheSoup

pa99 wrote: »

Hey ,

well as far as I know the 3600 is the replacement if you can get your hands on one. http://shop.blackgold.tv/epages/BT3159.sf/en_AU/?ObjectPath=/Shops/BT3159/Products/BGT3600

Have the HTPC up and running. All is going pretty well. Loving XBMC. The PVR with it isn't great at the moment. Hopefully that can be tidied up but I have my doubts about how good it can be. Maybe somebody knows of a good xbmc build with a well behaved PVR , channel sorting etc.

For some reason I ended picking up a hauppauge 5500 from Germany. Does the job. Really wanted the BG but was tired waiting so just bought something to get moving. Does the job I guess.

Not missing Sky , at all..

I've been reading a lot and might follow your lead but no interest in actually assembling. I get all my PC builds assembled by hardwarversand.de for 50 snots. Does anyone know people who'll assemble HTPC for 50 snots in Ireland or any websites that do it?

pa99

I'm sure someone will take you up on it

Roynie

georgiecasey wrote: »

I've been reading a lot and might follow your lead but no interest in actually assembling. I get all my PC builds assembled by hardwarversand.de for 50 snots. Does anyone know people who'll assemble HTPC for 50 snots in Ireland or any websites that do it?

Well I've built my own PC'c in the past and assembled my HTPC, which was spec'd by my son. I'm just waiting for the OS disk now. Where are you in Ireland?

MyPeopleDrankTheSoup

Roynie wrote: »

Well I've built my own PC'c in the past and assembled my HTPC, which was spec'd by my son. I'm just waiting for the OS disk now. Where are you in Ireland?

ennis, clare. down the road.

Roynie

georgiecasey wrote: »

ennis, clare. down the road.

I'll let you know when it is up and running, hopefully this week, you can come and have a look, and see what you think. We are actually nearer Cloonanaha than Inagh.

BTW can anyone explain the difference between the BGT 3600 and the BGT 3630, apart from the price? Would they both allow me to watch one program and record another on Freesat or Saorview?

Thanks

M00lers

Roynie wrote: »

I'll let you know when it is up and running, hopefully this week, you can come and have a look, and see what you think. We are actually nearer Cloonanaha than Inagh.

BTW can anyone explain the difference between the BGT 3600 and the BGT 3630, apart from the price? Would they both allow me to watch one program and record another on Freesat or Saorview?

Thanks

The BGT3600 has 2 seperate DVB-S2 and 1 DVB-T2 tuner, the BGT3630 has 1 DVB-S2 and 1 DVB-T2 tuner. I've got the BGT3630 in my own PC but have yet to set it up correctly.

johnybean

http://www.scan.co.uk/products/blackgold-bgt3600-dual-dvb-t2-dvb-c-dual-dvb-s2-analogue-composite-s-video-component-video-pcie-prod


Anyone ever used this crowd? They say they will have BGT 3600 in stock on Feb 23rd. They take paypal and if they do get it in I will be in like flynn for this baby:D:D:D

M00lers

I've used Scan but would prefer to use other sites because they have been known to be awkward to deal with regarding returns. I got my BGT3630 off Amazon.

pa99

Shifting the topic a little. The machine is running well at the moment. Channels through WIN7tv is fine. Have yet to look into it fully but Windows MC does not see any DVB-S channels. Guess this could be driver related. (Hauppauge 5500)
Also, I'm running XBMC eden beta 2 with the experimental PVR. has anyone got a stable XBMC build with PVR support. Channels ordered correctly etc. Recording isn't a priority just yet. Just want it all in XBMC if possible..
Still better than SKY. Logitech dinovo mini came today. Not bad at all..:D

Roynie

georgiecasey wrote: »

ennis, clare. down the road.

Have sent you a PM.