Is it time for a HTPC?

Grasshopper · 2007-04-29, 00:24

Hi All,

I would like to ask for some help in deciding whether to build a HTPC. The motherboard in my old PC recently died and I have since built myself a complete new PC. I still have all the other components of my old PC and have been thinking about reusing the parts to build a HTPC.

Here is a list of what I have, what I would need and also what I would like to achieve. What I need to know is, will the hardware I have fulfill my requirements?

Old PC Components I currently have
Intel Pentium 4 2.4GHz CPU
ATI Radeon 9700 AGP card (128Mb I think)
Corsair 1GB DDR PC3200 Memory (2x512)
Seagate 300Gb IDE HDD
Belkin 54Mb Wireless NIC
LiteOn DVD-RW drive
ATX 480W power supply
Mid-Tower Case

New Components Required
P4 Socket 478 motherboard
HTPC case
Tuner Card (need help in selection)

HTPC Requirements
Dual Tuner - I want to record 2 programs at once
Watch HDTV
Play MP3/DVDs
Watch DivX movies
MediaPortal compatible

Is it worthwhile me using my old components and building a HTPC using these? Or am I better off building a brand new PC?

I specifically need help in tuner card selection.

Any help would be appreciated.

Thanks,
Grasshopper

Tech Geek · 2007-04-30, 02:52

Between the CPU speed and graphics card it looks pretty low spec for HDTV. Check some of the HDTV related topics and you'll find stuttering video is pretty common on low spec machines. For analog TV it should work fine.

NickName · 2007-04-30, 04:12

I'd say give it a go as you can reuse the HTPC case and tuner card if you decide to build a new PC in the end.
I was using the same CPU in my main HTPC and it was fine though you can't do much more without affecting playback.
I could watch a DVD and record two SD digital channels fine but if I used "remote desktop" or started copying many MP3's to it, it would be obvious to the person viewing as playback would become a little jerky.
As HD TV is only displayed about 20 hours per week in Australia, it's not a major consideration, yet.
Mind you, I have now built a "b1tching" Dual Core HTPC so I can copy files, remote desktop in, and rip DVDs all at the same time. :-) That extra core makes all the difference!
So my advice is try what you have, as the most you will lose is the cost of the new motherboard and then you could just sell just the 'old PC' if unhappy; and recoup the cost of the motherboard.

Grasshopper · 2007-04-30, 04:21

Thanks NickName. So what tuner card do you use? I was reading that it is better to go for individual tuner cards rather than a hybrid or onboard dual card. Would you agree?

NickName · 2007-04-30, 04:37

I have several HTPCs and many different cards. Dual cards 'can' have the advantage of only needing antennae connection. I don't have a Hauppage card (yet) but they seem to be more universally common. That can be handy if you want to try LinuxMCE or MythTV in the future or even if want to have a dual booting PC.
I don't recommend Dvico cards as I have a couple of different ones and they give me (and others) grief.
Nebula brand cards and DigitalNow cards are pretty good, as are cards from Aldi.

2007-04-29, 00:24	#1 (permalink)
Grasshopper Portal User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country:	Is it time for a HTPC? Hi All, I would like to ask for some help in deciding whether to build a HTPC. The motherboard in my old PC recently died and I have since built myself a complete new PC. I still have all the other components of my old PC and have been thinking about reusing the parts to build a HTPC. Here is a list of what I have, what I would need and also what I would like to achieve. What I need to know is, will the hardware I have fulfill my requirements? Old PC Components I currently have Intel Pentium 4 2.4GHz CPU ATI Radeon 9700 AGP card (128Mb I think) Corsair 1GB DDR PC3200 Memory (2x512) Seagate 300Gb IDE HDD Belkin 54Mb Wireless NIC LiteOn DVD-RW drive ATX 480W power supply Mid-Tower Case New Components Required P4 Socket 478 motherboard HTPC case Tuner Card (need help in selection) HTPC Requirements Dual Tuner - I want to record 2 programs at once Watch HDTV Play MP3/DVDs Watch DivX movies MediaPortal compatible Is it worthwhile me using my old components and building a HTPC using these? Or am I better off building a brand new PC? I specifically need help in tuner card selection. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks, Grasshopper Last edited by Grasshopper; 2007-04-29 at 00:52.

2007-04-30, 04:12	#3 (permalink)
NickName Portal Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Gold Coast Posts: 283 Thanks: 13 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts Country:	I'd say give it a go as you can reuse the HTPC case and tuner card if you decide to build a new PC in the end. I was using the same CPU in my main HTPC and it was fine though you can't do much more without affecting playback. I could watch a DVD and record two SD digital channels fine but if I used "remote desktop" or started copying many MP3's to it, it would be obvious to the person viewing as playback would become a little jerky. As HD TV is only displayed about 20 hours per week in Australia, it's not a major consideration, yet. Mind you, I have now built a "b1tching" Dual Core HTPC so I can copy files, remote desktop in, and rip DVDs all at the same time. :-) That extra core makes all the difference! So my advice is try what you have, as the most you will lose is the cost of the new motherboard and then you could just sell just the 'old PC' if unhappy; and recoup the cost of the motherboard. __________________ Before, I could never finish anything I started but now I Last edited by NickName; 2007-04-30 at 04:13. Reason: typo

2007-04-30, 04:37	#5 (permalink)
NickName Portal Member Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Gold Coast Posts: 283 Thanks: 13 Thanked 5 Times in 3 Posts Country:	I have several HTPCs and many different cards. Dual cards 'can' have the advantage of only needing antennae connection. I don't have a Hauppage card (yet) but they seem to be more universally common. That can be handy if you want to try LinuxMCE or MythTV in the future or even if want to have a dual booting PC. I don't recommend Dvico cards as I have a couple of different ones and they give me (and others) grief. Nebula brand cards and DigitalNow cards are pretty good, as are cards from Aldi. __________________ Before, I could never finish anything I started but now I

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2007-04-30, 02:52	#2 (permalink)
Tech Geek Portal Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Denver, CO USA Posts: 354 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts	Between the CPU speed and graphics card it looks pretty low spec for HDTV. Check some of the HDTV related topics and you'll find stuttering video is pretty common on low spec machines. For analog TV it should work fine.

2007-04-30, 04:21	#4 (permalink)
Grasshopper Portal User Join Date: Apr 2007 Posts: 3 Thanks: 0 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country:	Thanks NickName. So what tuner card do you use? I was reading that it is better to go for individual tuner cards rather than a hybrid or onboard dual card. Would you agree?