- May 20, 2008
- 189
- 15
- Home Country
Hi guys,
I figured I'd get a thread going to let you all read about my upcoming HTCP build. There were a couple of things that got me started down this track:
1. wife requesting access to HD channels for the Olympics broadcast
--then--
2. the death of my old twin-tuner SD set-top box
So, the choice was to look at a twin-tuner HD set-top box, or go for a HTPC ....... and HTPC it is! This should allow me to use the PC for DVDs as well, rather than the stand-alone DVD ....... minimal remotes required! The PC is only going to connect to a standard TV (not HD), but there's no doubt that channel 7 will have additional Olympics coverage on their HD channel - hence the need for HD tuners. And twin tuners is a must ....... we've been battling along with a single-tuner SD set-top box for the last couple of weeks too hard to choose when there's two shows we want to record at the same time ........
So, first things first - I've ordered all the bits and pieces, just waiting for a couple of things to get ordered in at the shop. Here's the list:
Antec 2480B case
Gigabyte GA-M61PME-S2 m/board
AMD LE-1600 CPU
Gigabyte 8500GT GPU
Samsung SATA2 500 GB drive
LG DVD burner
2 GB RAM
2 x Winfast DTV1000S
USB wireless adapter
All up, around $580. Not quite sub-$500, which is what I was aiming for, but close. Things like the 500 GB drive, wireless adapter and the 8500GT pushed the overall price up a bit. I've got a second 160 GB IDE drive (pulled from the dead STB ) that I'll use for the OS, apps and probably the timeshift buffer. The 500 GB drive will be for recordings.
The shop didn't stock the MCE remote (which, by all accounts, is meant to be excellent with MediaPortal), but I'll probably take a look at the Leadtek one first, then go with the MCE one if it's no good. (I've got an existing universal remote - nothing fancy - so if all the commands work on the Leadtek remote, I'm hoping I can just use that). In terms of hooking up the cards, I'll definitely need a co-ax splitter, but until I get everything up and running I don't know if I'll need a booster or not.
I really like the look of the 2480B case (in my budget anyway - there are definitely some nicer looking cases over $250), and am thinking it will fit OK on one of the shelves in my TV unit. I wasn't intending to get the 8500GT (was aiming for the Leadtek 8400GS) but the shop I went to didn't stock the Leadtek card. They had a Gigabyte 8400GS, but that one didn't come bundled with a TV/component out cable, so for a little extra I went for the 8500GT which comes bundled with all the goodies.
I'm also taking a bit of a punt on the 2 x DTV1000S cards . Originally, I was tossing up between the AverTV Duo and the DNTV Live hybrid cards, but had also considered the DTV1000S. Again, the shop I ended up buying from didn't stock the AverTV card, and the DNTVs are out of stock till August (too late to get ready for the Olympics)! I've read plenty of "for"s and "against"s on the DTV1000S (and not many posts at all from MediaPortal users of this card), so fingers crossed! If nothing else, my experiences may well be able to serve as a guide for future users of the card. I really wanted to get a card with S-Video in, as well.
So, there you have it. Oh, in terms of a media centre app, well ....... obviously, I'm planning on MediaPortal! What I've read on the forums seems very encouraging, and the community is obviously very active (which is good). Plus, if it really comes down to it, I won't mind getting my hands dirty with a bit of coding (if I can actually find some spare time, that is).
Now I eagerly await the arrival of many boxes, and the fun that is sure to come after that ....!
Cheers,
Craig
I figured I'd get a thread going to let you all read about my upcoming HTCP build. There were a couple of things that got me started down this track:
1. wife requesting access to HD channels for the Olympics broadcast
--then--
2. the death of my old twin-tuner SD set-top box
So, the choice was to look at a twin-tuner HD set-top box, or go for a HTPC ....... and HTPC it is! This should allow me to use the PC for DVDs as well, rather than the stand-alone DVD ....... minimal remotes required! The PC is only going to connect to a standard TV (not HD), but there's no doubt that channel 7 will have additional Olympics coverage on their HD channel - hence the need for HD tuners. And twin tuners is a must ....... we've been battling along with a single-tuner SD set-top box for the last couple of weeks too hard to choose when there's two shows we want to record at the same time ........
So, first things first - I've ordered all the bits and pieces, just waiting for a couple of things to get ordered in at the shop. Here's the list:
Antec 2480B case
Gigabyte GA-M61PME-S2 m/board
AMD LE-1600 CPU
Gigabyte 8500GT GPU
Samsung SATA2 500 GB drive
LG DVD burner
2 GB RAM
2 x Winfast DTV1000S
USB wireless adapter
All up, around $580. Not quite sub-$500, which is what I was aiming for, but close. Things like the 500 GB drive, wireless adapter and the 8500GT pushed the overall price up a bit. I've got a second 160 GB IDE drive (pulled from the dead STB ) that I'll use for the OS, apps and probably the timeshift buffer. The 500 GB drive will be for recordings.
The shop didn't stock the MCE remote (which, by all accounts, is meant to be excellent with MediaPortal), but I'll probably take a look at the Leadtek one first, then go with the MCE one if it's no good. (I've got an existing universal remote - nothing fancy - so if all the commands work on the Leadtek remote, I'm hoping I can just use that). In terms of hooking up the cards, I'll definitely need a co-ax splitter, but until I get everything up and running I don't know if I'll need a booster or not.
I really like the look of the 2480B case (in my budget anyway - there are definitely some nicer looking cases over $250), and am thinking it will fit OK on one of the shelves in my TV unit. I wasn't intending to get the 8500GT (was aiming for the Leadtek 8400GS) but the shop I went to didn't stock the Leadtek card. They had a Gigabyte 8400GS, but that one didn't come bundled with a TV/component out cable, so for a little extra I went for the 8500GT which comes bundled with all the goodies.
I'm also taking a bit of a punt on the 2 x DTV1000S cards . Originally, I was tossing up between the AverTV Duo and the DNTV Live hybrid cards, but had also considered the DTV1000S. Again, the shop I ended up buying from didn't stock the AverTV card, and the DNTVs are out of stock till August (too late to get ready for the Olympics)! I've read plenty of "for"s and "against"s on the DTV1000S (and not many posts at all from MediaPortal users of this card), so fingers crossed! If nothing else, my experiences may well be able to serve as a guide for future users of the card. I really wanted to get a card with S-Video in, as well.
So, there you have it. Oh, in terms of a media centre app, well ....... obviously, I'm planning on MediaPortal! What I've read on the forums seems very encouraging, and the community is obviously very active (which is good). Plus, if it really comes down to it, I won't mind getting my hands dirty with a bit of coding (if I can actually find some spare time, that is).
Now I eagerly await the arrival of many boxes, and the fun that is sure to come after that ....!
Cheers,
Craig