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<blockquote data-quote="GarySeven" data-source="post: 697559" data-attributes="member: 58072">I’ll throw in my 2 cents worth.I have been running a 4 seat system for about 3 years.My server has a dual core Athlon in it, but I think it is overkill.&nbsp; The server is mostly just a data pass through machine.&nbsp; The clients do the decoding, the server just sends the data from the source (tuner, hard drive, or DVD) and the client converts it into a form you can watch/hear.You didn’t say what storage capacity your current PC has in it, but you will need a lot of storage if you convert it to a media server.&nbsp; I originally thought 200 Gb was big, but I filled it rather quickly.&nbsp; My server has 2 Tb in it and after 3 years of collecting TV series, HD videos, digital pictures, converting DVDs and CDs, is now half full, and I’m not compulsive about doing this.When I built the media server, I also thought long and hard about TV tuners.&nbsp; Multiple tuners are a must if you have more than one person who is going to be watching TV at once, or record while you watch something else.&nbsp; I finally settled on the HDHomeRun.&nbsp; Most other tuners will use up the expansion slots (whether they be PCi, PCIe or USB) in the server.&nbsp; The HDHR avoids this.&nbsp; Multiple HDHRs can be plugged into your network and managed by the server.&nbsp; If you have too much network traffic, the HDHR can be directly connected to the server, but this will cost you a network card, but I think you can put the HDHRs through a switch, so it is only one slot used by creating a separate network.&nbsp; &nbsp; I have never had a cable subscription, so I won’t comment on it, but SiliconDust provides a list of the OTA stations you may find in your zip code.Two of my clients are dedicated to being media players.&nbsp; You didn’t mention how you intended to use yours, but my experience is that a HTPC without a good remote is painful to use.&nbsp; I have tried out a few and definitely prefer RF remotes, but that is just my point of view.&nbsp; I’m thinking of trying out iPimp on a iPod touch.&nbsp; It’s an expensive way to make just a remote, but the touch screen may be more reliable than the junky buttons they tend to put in remote controls.</blockquote>

[QUOTE="GarySeven, post: 697559, member: 58072"] I’ll throw in my 2 cents worth. I have been running a 4 seat system for about 3 years. My server has a dual core Athlon in it, but I think it is overkill. The server is mostly just a data pass through machine. The clients do the decoding, the server just sends the data from the source (tuner, hard drive, or DVD) and the client converts it into a form you can watch/hear. You didn’t say what storage capacity your current PC has in it, but you will need a lot of storage if you convert it to a media server. I originally thought 200 Gb was big, but I filled it rather quickly. My server has 2 Tb in it and after 3 years of collecting TV series, HD videos, digital pictures, converting DVDs and CDs, is now half full, and I’m not compulsive about doing this. When I built the media server, I also thought long and hard about TV tuners. Multiple tuners are a must if you have more than one person who is going to be watching TV at once, or record while you watch something else. I finally settled on the HDHomeRun. Most other tuners will use up the expansion slots (whether they be PCi, PCIe or USB) in the server. The HDHR avoids this. Multiple HDHRs can be plugged into your network and managed by the server. If you have too much network traffic, the HDHR can be directly connected to the server, but this will cost you a network card, but I think you can put the HDHRs through a switch, so it is only one slot used by creating a separate network. I have never had a cable subscription, so I won’t comment on it, but SiliconDust provides a list of the OTA stations you may find in your zip code. Two of my clients are dedicated to being media players. You didn’t mention how you intended to use yours, but my experience is that a HTPC without a good remote is painful to use. I have tried out a few and definitely prefer RF remotes, but that is just my point of view. I’m thinking of trying out iPimp on a iPod touch. It’s an expensive way to make just a remote, but the touch screen may be more reliable than the junky buttons they tend to put in remote controls. [/QUOTE]

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