How to make a HTPC?

[Kilim]

I am thinking of turning my desktop into a Home Theater PC.
No idea how to start it and what I need to get/use.

This is my current desktop config:

• P4S8X MB
  Intel P4 2.4B 533FSB
  1.7GB PC2700 DDR RAM
  ATI X850XT 256mb
  120 GB Seagate HDD
  Thermaltake 420W PSU
  Xaser II A5000 Case
  CL Audigy1 Gamer
  ViewSonic VA1912wb Black 19" LCD Monitor
  Logitech G15/G7/Z5500

This is what I ahve in my livingroom:

• TV
  DVD/VCR Combo
  Logitech Z5500 5.1 THX Speakers
  Cablevision Cable TV Box

I just got the Windows XP MCE 2005 w/ UR2 - OEM and about to install it in my desktop with a fresh install.

Question is:

• Do I just need a TV Tuner so I can copy some of the TV Shows in my PC and later play it back in my TV?
  or do I need other components so I can have the Cable TV go from my PC back to my TV?
  Also, how do I make my music and other media in my PC go to my TV/DVD?

I already figured out how to make the sound go from my PC to my Logitech Z-5500 speakers.
I guess the main issue now is how to make the Video media to go from my PC to my TV.

I really just want to be able to record & watch some Cable TV, play Music, Videos and various media from my PC thru my TV and Speakers via remote on my couch

[wortelsoft]

First you have to connect your pc to your TV. Depending on your tv and videocard you have te following options:

composite
component
s-video
dvi
dsub vga
scart

Then for recording/watching Tv on your htpc there are also a couple of possibilties. You can connect your cable box to a tv card and than use a "blaster" (IR transmitter) to change the channels on your cable box.
A good choice for that setup would be a Hauppauge PVR150MCE and a Microsoft MCE remote (including blaster).
There also might be DVB-C card which can work together with your cable TV.


For a good answer you need to provide more info:

- which country do you live? (connections and tv systems differ throughout the world)
- which connections do you have on your Tv?
- which connections does your videocard have?

[Kilim]

Thanks for the info

- which country do you live? (connections and tv systems differ throughout the world)
I live in NY, USA

- which connections do you have on your Tv?
As for my TV.
Hmmm I really should look back there.
I know it at least have a regular Cable TV plug, isn't that an RCA Jack?
I think it also has at least the 3 plugs A/V inputs (yellow, red and white colors)
Not sure if it has S-video, will double check once I get home from work tonite.

- which connections does your videocard have?
I have an ATI X850XT 256mb AGP Card.
It looks like it has a regular VGA output, a DVI Output and a S-video output.


I just ordered a a nice bundle from SnapStream.
Beyond TV and Dual-Tuner Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-500 MCE Kit (PCI) = $199.99 w/ FREE S/H
It includes the following:

• * Beyond TV 4 (download & backup CD)
  * Hauppauge Win-TV-PVR-500MCE*
  * FREE Hauppauge A/V Cable Set
  * Free upgrades to Beyond TV 4 point releases
  * FREE Firefly remote

It just looks like teh best bang for the buck combo deal.

I also just ordered a Acomdata 320GB E5 USB 2.0/FireWire External Hard Drive - HD320UFAPE5-72 = $164.99 - 35 Mail-in Rebate = 129.99
Going to hook it to my desktop via FireWire and hopefully that 320gb external HDD is enough for now.
I may get another set for my laptop as its such a nice deal.

I also ordered this LITE-ON Black 16X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 8X DVD+R DL 16X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 5X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 24X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2M Cache ATAPI/E-IDE DVD Burner With LightScribe - Retail $49.99 + 5.46 S/H

All this should get to my apartment this week

[wortelsoft]

Allways nice to have new stuff to play with.
There is a converter to go from s-video to composite. But for quality, s-video is the way to go.

Have a look on this site for info on pc <--> tv connections:

http://www.weethet.nl/english/video_connect_pc2tv.php

[Kilim]

Yes, I just checked last nite and my TV ONLY has the cable input and Compostie Input

But it looks like the bundle I bought has a PCI Plugin that is an A/V Adapter for composite