[BounouGod]

So my TV broke last month and i had to replace it, as it turns out it was not the end of the world since it allowed me to upgrade to a much better TV something i probably would not have done.

At this point the only real annoyance in my home theatre system is the Scientific Atlanta HD PVR receiver from Videotron (Montreal cable company)

I used to have Direct TV and TiVo and this thing really sucks compared to it.

I love the idea of replacing the receiver with a HTPC with more storage but i want to make sure it would work for my system but i am still a little fuzy on what a HTPC can do for me honestly and if it is really worth it.

Something with a cleaner interface, TiVo like functionality, the ability to store massive amounts of shows/movies without the need to delete anything. Would also not mind the ability to stream online content.

I can build it myself or pay extra for a premade system but i want great software, a really clean and easy to use interface.

My 2 primary concerns is making sure whatever i get is compatible with Videotron and also making sure i can still use my logitech harmony one remote, if i need to use a second remote that is a deal breaker for me.

Any thoughs?

 

[Manyak]

An HTPC can do everything you just said, and more. There are maybe 10 or so "media center" apps you can pick from, and most of them can have the UI customized any way you want. Recording is in crystal clear h.264 with use of a Hauppauge HD-PVR or cablecard tuner (available soon - don't bother with the one from ATI), and pretty good MPEG2 with anything else. You can have as much space as you want just as long as you keep adding hard drives and/or network drives from a NAS or server. And don't worry about the logitech remote, it will work just fine.

Oh, besides the TiVo, depending on the hardware it can also replace your:
- DVD Player
- BluRay Player
- Surround Receiver
- Set top box (once the cablecard tuners come out)
- NES, SNES, PSX, PS2, and a ton of other older consoles
- Xbox 360, since most of the good games are ported to PC

 

[BounouGod]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manyak An HTPC can do everything you just said, and more. There are maybe 10 or so "media center" apps you can pick from, and most of them can have the UI customized any way you want. Recording is in crystal clear h.264 with use of a Hauppauge HD-PVR or cablecard tuner (available soon - don't bother with the one from ATI), and pretty good MPEG2 with anything else. You can have as much space as you want just as long as you keep adding hard drives and/or network drives from a NAS or server. And don't worry about the logitech remote, it will work just fine.

What kind of damage am i looking at? Pretty sure i can sell my old PVR for 300-400$ easy and i should be able to scrounge up 500$ or so, would that work?

Do they make HTPC specific cases, something that would fit in a large TV cabinet

 

[Manyak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BounouGod What kind of damage am i looking at? Pretty sure i can sell my old PVR for 300-400$ easy and i should be able to scrounge up 500$ or so, would that work? Do they make HTPC specific cases, something that would fit in a large TV cabinet

Just like any PC, you can spend anywhere from $300 to $3000, all depending on what you want to put in it.

The most economical setup would be an Athlon x2 240 on a 785G motherboard. This is actually a good combo - if you don't like the case just sell it or something, it's free.

A BluRay drive is about $60.

And here you go, a whole bunch of HTPC style cases. IMO the best quality case at any price is this one. It's got a powder coated steel chassis and 5/8" thick aluminum front panel. It both looks and feels like you paid $1000 for it.

As for the TV Tuner, the HD-PVR I was telling you about is a royal pain to set up with certain media center apps (like the standard Windows one). So if anything you should probably decide on which app you want to use before buying it. If it's not fully compatible then just hold out on a cablecard tuner instead (assuming your company offers cablecards).

Oh, and I almost forgot: If you've got any sort of stereo/surround system, you're going to want to add a sound card. Like one of the Xonars (though I don't know about the DS, this is the first time I see it). Onboard audio sucks terribly, but you won't notice if all you use is the TV speakers. On a real sound system you'll definitely appreciate the discrete card though.

 

[BounouGod]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Manyak Just like any PC, you can spend anywhere from $300 to $3000, all depending on what you want to put in it. The most economical setup would be an Athlon x2 240 on a 785G motherboard. This is actually a good combo - if you don't like the case just sell it or something, it's free. A BluRay drive is about $60. And here you go, a whole bunch of HTPC style cases. IMO the best quality case at any price is this one. It's got a powder coated steel chassis and 5/8" thick aluminum front panel. It both looks and feels like you paid $1000 for it. As for the TV Tuner, the HD-PVR I was telling you about is a royal pain to set up with certain media center apps (like the standard Windows one). So if anything you should probably decide on which app you want to use before buying it. If it's not fully compatible then just hold out on a cablecard tuner instead (assuming your company offers cablecards). Oh, and I almost forgot: If you've got any sort of stereo/surround system, you're going to want to add a sound card. Like one of the Xonars (though I don't know about the DS, this is the first time I see it). Onboard audio sucks terribly, but you won't notice if all you use is the TV speakers. On a real sound system you'll definitely appreciate the discrete card though.

Yeah i am using the TV speakers for now, i used to have a sick sound system, B&W speakers with a marantz receiver but honestly i do not miss it, always been more about video quality then sound quality.

I would not mind one of those system in a box deals but it's going to wait until i decide on what direction i want to go for the TV cabinet, thinking of one of those full wall customizable IKEA deals maybe.

 

[BounouGod]

Thanks for the help Manyak, always very helpful, i keep rep'ing you but i figure i would tell you also

 

[Manyak]

Quote:

Originally Posted by BounouGod Yeah i am using the TV speakers for now, i used to have a sick sound system, B&W speakers with a marantz receiver but honestly i do not miss it, always been more about video quality then sound quality. I would not mind one of those system in a box deals but it's going to wait until i decide on what direction i want to go for the TV cabinet, thinking of one of those full wall customizable IKEA deals maybe.

I wish I could say the same, it would save me a ton of money lol. But I'm picky with both video and sound. All I use my TV for is watching movies and playing games, and either way it makes a big difference in the..what's the word here..'immersiveness'.

But yeah, just plan on adding a sound card if you ever get a system-in-a-box or whatever. I mean, onboard cards are really terrible, worse than any A/V device you'd buy in a store. Maybe about the same level as those $20 portable DVD players. While on the other hand, the higher end Xonars have about the same sound quality as an $800 bluray player.

Quote:

Originally Posted by BounouGod Thanks for the help Manyak, always very helpful, i keep rep'ing you but i figure i would tell you also

no problem at all