Thinking about HTPC but have ?s

[carluman]

I'm thinking about building a HTPC to replace my VCR and DVD player. Basically I'd like to avoid buying a TV tuner card if I don't really need it. Info to answer question below.

The parts I'm thinking about using are...
Mobo with GeForce 6100 chipset
512MB Dual-channel DDR2
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ AM2 processor
250gb Samsung Sata HD
DIAMOND XtremeSound XS71DDL 7.1 optical in and out.
HIS Hightech HX80GTOQT256GVN Radeon X800GTO 256MB GDDR3 PCI Express x16 Video Card with VIVO

Audio will be optical from the PC to my audio receiver.

I should be able to play a DVD in the DVD drive of the PC and run that through the video card to my TV via the HD out on the video card. Right?

So now my question is can I run the video out from my dishnetwork box to my the video in of the video card to record the shows I want?

Again, basically I'd like to avoid buying a TV tuner card if I don't really need it.
For the help in advance

[ASiDiE]

Edit: I said that you would need a capture card... as NLS said below (thanks for correcting me) I was wrong. I am hoping there is an answer for you here in the forums.

Your HTPC machine is going to be pretty sweet. MP will run very nice on that setup. Playing DVD's should not be a problem at all.

[NLS]

No ASiDie you are wrong.

Most probably (like 99%) video-in indeed is able to capture.

He just needs to make sure that he has the appropriate driver installed.

The problem will probably be how to make MP use that video source.
(it's what many people already have asked... ability to record from card video-in and webcams etc.)

[ASiDiE]

Thanks for pointing this out for me... I hate spreading false information.

[Maedhros]

This looks strikingly like my setup:

Asus A8N-VM CSM
Athlon 64 3200+
1024MB DDR400
400GB WD HDD
Hauppauge PVR-500MCE
GeForce 7600GS

It runs like a charm. You will have NO problems also gaming like on a console (as I do with MP) with that X800 ;-)

[carluman]

So it sounds like it should work then. Cool. I just didn't want to lay out the cash for a tuner when I didn't need a tuner.

[Marcusb]

I'd probably suggest changing the 6100 chipset to a 6150, which should cost only a small amount extra but also give you HDTV output as well as built in hardware for optimising DVD and HD playback.
Then you won't need to buy an extra Gfx card and this will save you quite a bit of money (and also make for a cooler case). With some of the money you save you can buy a Huappage PVR150 from eBay and not have to face the heartache and frustration of trying to set MP up to use the Vivo option. As a bonus you can watch and record TV as well.

Lots of people use the 6150 chipset with great results and as long as you don't plan on playing the latest games in full definition then you'll have a great system.

The only other thing I would suggest is maybe an extra 512Mb RAM, but you should be fine and this is something you can add later if needed.

[player-x]

I would also advise for the 6150 mobo its a mouths better chipset and better support for PureVideo.
If you take this mobo you dont need a dedicated video card
http://www.nvidia.com/page/purevideo.html
http://www.nvidia.com/page/purevideo_support.html
asus gigabyte MSI and Albatron make mobo's based on this chipset for AM2 socket

But if you want to be able to play game's to i would advise the asus ore gigabyte 7600GT both are available in a passive version that cost just a little extra.
And you are ready for pure video at HD res.
And if you need video in you can always look for a cheap TVcard, if you start using a TVcard you start loving timeshifting
(ps. if you go for the asus becarfull he is high whit the cooler sticking out above the card, the gigabyte takes less space but cost a slot plate.)

For the CPU i would advise the Athlon 64 X2 3800+ "Windsor", Energy Efficient 65W
It uses even less power then a normal 3000+ and dual core CPU's just runs smother.
A low power CPU creat's less heat = less nois

Because one of the most inportand things in a HTPC is to prefent nois

And also like marcusb says 512mb extra wont hurt

A good alternative for the diamond sound card is the terratec DD-Live, i am very happy whit.
http://sounden.terratec.net/modules....rticle&sid=237

You can also have a look at my setup below, its pretty good bang for your buck

[carluman]

Thanks for all the great info.

I found a used system I'm thinking about getting that I thought was a good deal...
Shuttle XPC HTPC - $385 shipped
P4 2.66 GHz
512 MB RAM
10 GB 7200 RPM Seagate Primary Drive
200 GB 7200 RPM Maxtor Storage Drive
Hauppauge PVR-150 TV Tuner Card
ATI 9600xt Graphics Card
Lots of ports (4xUSB 2.0, 2xFirewire, Optical Audio in and out, as well as 2xVGA, 1xSVID, and 1xDVI when I get the ATI card)
DVD player

[player-x]

Looks ok but make shoure its sillent read some test about the moddel you want
Because a P4 2.66 is usaly not that quiet
And if you going to hook it up to a HD TV then you need a better videocard
HD contend you need a card that suports nVidia's pure video ore ATi's Avivo