How to get started? (1 Viewer)

[NickZak]

Hi, I am new, please excuse my noobishness...

I have an unused PC that I would like to turn into a MediaPortal. My main requirements are:
- typical PVR functions on main TV in the lounge.
- watch recorded programs from a laptop via wireless network
- it will be replacing a Humax PVR unit which is about the size of a large DVD player.

The PC is too big and noisy (specs listed below) to go in the lounge which leaves me with 3 options. I would be grateful to hear which people think would be the most sensible and cost effective:

1. Transfer guts of the PC into a passive cooled case to make it silent

2. Use the PC as-is (it's in a back room where noise is not a problem) but put some kind of extender / media streamer / client machine (not sure of the correct term) on the main TV. This would have to have a remote control to at least control the PVR functions of MP.

3. Throw away these old components and get a ready built machine that is already quiet and compact.


Old PC specs:
Asus A8N5X motherboard with PCI-E x16 slot
AMD Athlon 64 3200+
1G RAM
Nvidia Geforce 6600 GT - (supports directx 9)
- I have already made some attempt to silence it with "whisper quiet" PSU, CPU and GPU fans but somehow it is still noisy... I think the case fans make noise due to turbulence when they are put in place.

Thanks for looking.

 

[Paranoid Delusion]

Sad to say without pci-e, this would never be suitable for watching any HD playback, would however work as a server with tv card and wired networking to a more modern htpc like the zotac ion range, which are around the 2-300 pound range

Zotac ZBOX-ID41-PLUS-B Z-Box Plus Mini PC D/Core DDR3: Amazon.co.uk: Computers & Accessories

Just as example, others may be more to your liking of course.

Then do you want Blu-Ray playback, if not now maybe in the future.

Tell us exactly what you want to be able to do, then further recommendations can be made.

 

[NickZak]

Hi Ray

I actually gave you some duff information - the motherboard is in fact an Asus A8N5X which does have a PCI-E x 16 slot. I don't know if this changes things.

I want to be able to have all the usual PVR functionality on one TV to begin with - plus being able to stream live or recorded TV to a laptop via wireless network.

In the future, we might also like to extend the TV server to other TVs in the house too.

 

[porky996t]

Hi NickZack,

Unfortunately, I can't comment on the specific of processor speed etc, (no doubt someone who is better acquainted can add something) but depending upon your existing kit, you may be able to squeeze a quad DVB-S/S2 tuner card into it >>>here<<< Of course you would need a satellite dish for this card with a quad LNB - Quad LNB's aren't much to buy and easy to fit if you have an existing Sky dish. This would enable you to get the Freesat channels and all the HD ones too. It would also give a bit of redundancy protection for future client additions. If you have just PCI slots, you may just have to stick to DVB-T tuners as Ray has stated.

I use an Antec Fusion box on the main TV in the lounge, and this also streams to two clients (using the Zotac ZBox ID41's as Rays'previous post); one in the kitchen and one in the bedroom using EOP (AV200 Homeplugs). I found Wireless a bit poor for streaming, especially HD as it doesn't have the consistency required. I tried it using a "N" type router and receiver and eventually gave up - hence the Homeplugs. SD is OK, but I did still get some stutter. I suspect, for me, there are too many other routers/ DECT phones in my vicinity that just interfered with the signal.


HTH,


M.

 

[Spragleknas]

A new passive GFX and SpeedFan should do wonders