United States of America
MediaPortal Version: none yet, trying to design a HTPC with MediaPortal
[Satelite/CableTV Provider: Verizon Fios
TV: soon to purchase 65" plasma HDTV
TV - HTPC Connection: hopefully HDMI, but maybe different if needed?
I need some advice and guidance. I have Verizon Fios TV service in this area of N Va (USA). I have been searching the internet for software to build a HTPC. It appears that MediaPortal may be the best choice. But so far I can’t figure out how to put such a HTPC system together (using WinXP-32 SP3).
I’ve found out that the Fios STB has the HDCP flag built into the box, so usually it’s HDMI output will only connect to a HDCP enabled HDTV. But I have discovered driver software which should allow it to connect to a HTPC.
My problem is, how do I input the Fios STB video/audio into the HTPC. I believe I need an "TV input card" for the HTPC to get the video (& audio) signal in. I have searched the forum, and found one guy in England who has MediaPortal working with an input card that has the European format. But what works in the US?
I want to keep my TV 1080 (i or p) high resolution, I’m not interested in down-resolution signals. Also, I’d like to be able to watch one program while recording another. You can do this with the Fios box, but the Fios box doesn’t have adequate disk storage to store significant HDTV. (It was designed for old-fashioned resolution TV.)
What TV input cards for the HTPC would you recommend? How should I connect the Fios box to it? Can I use HDMI, or should I use DVI? Can MediaPortal control the tuners in the Fios box, or must I have 2 Fios boxes to input 2 TV signals? As you can see, I am still trying to figure out how all this would work.
Thanks for any suggestions.
[Satelite/CableTV Provider: Verizon Fios
TV: soon to purchase 65" plasma HDTV
TV - HTPC Connection: hopefully HDMI, but maybe different if needed?
I need some advice and guidance. I have Verizon Fios TV service in this area of N Va (USA). I have been searching the internet for software to build a HTPC. It appears that MediaPortal may be the best choice. But so far I can’t figure out how to put such a HTPC system together (using WinXP-32 SP3).
I’ve found out that the Fios STB has the HDCP flag built into the box, so usually it’s HDMI output will only connect to a HDCP enabled HDTV. But I have discovered driver software which should allow it to connect to a HTPC.
My problem is, how do I input the Fios STB video/audio into the HTPC. I believe I need an "TV input card" for the HTPC to get the video (& audio) signal in. I have searched the forum, and found one guy in England who has MediaPortal working with an input card that has the European format. But what works in the US?
I want to keep my TV 1080 (i or p) high resolution, I’m not interested in down-resolution signals. Also, I’d like to be able to watch one program while recording another. You can do this with the Fios box, but the Fios box doesn’t have adequate disk storage to store significant HDTV. (It was designed for old-fashioned resolution TV.)
What TV input cards for the HTPC would you recommend? How should I connect the Fios box to it? Can I use HDMI, or should I use DVI? Can MediaPortal control the tuners in the Fios box, or must I have 2 Fios boxes to input 2 TV signals? As you can see, I am still trying to figure out how all this would work.
Thanks for any suggestions.