Please help a confused newbie (1 Viewer)

[RockJock]

Hello all,

I have been scouring this entire forum and I seem to be getting more confused, let me explain what I would like to do and what my current setup is.

I would like to add a Windows PC to my home theater to replace my 400 DVD multichanger.

This PC would ONLY need to be serving up the movies. These movies would be ripped using Magic DVD Copier and would remain in their native format, just live on a hard drive rather than a DVD.

Currently all of my components are in my basement and these components control everything in my house via RF converted to IR using Universal Remote MX-650s (in the family and exercise rooms) and a MX-3000 (in the theater room). As part of the components in the basement I have two 7.1 a/v receivers that take care of all the audio and video needs of the various TVs and the projector.

So I would just like to take the DVD changer out of the current setup and drop in a Windows PC running MP. The DVD changer has multiple outputs, which is how it can switch between the two receivers.

My questions are about video and audio cards and remote control.

1) Since I have the remotes that I can program to do the controlling, can I buy just an IR receiver that plugs into the PC? If so, what do I use to program the learning MX-650s? This is my main confusion. I don't want to use a keyboard at all.

2) What video card would best work in this situation? I would like it to have HDMI out so I can make use of current cabling. I am just using standard DVD upscaled to 720p via the receivers now, but would like to start ripping Blu-Ray at some point. Are there cards that meet these needs and connect to both receivers?

3) My theater room is 7.1 the other rooms are just L/R but all are controlled by the receivers. What sound cards are going to output the audio channel to meet the theater room needs and connect to both receivers?

I know there are other concerns about storage space but I think I have a handle on this.

Please help if you can, I am getting very sick of managing DVDs.

Thank you very much for reading this long message.

David

 

[moab]

I have done similar. No more juggling and scratching DVDs.
However now even watching DVDs is becoming obselete with Netflix, Hulu, etc.
I ripped out my old receiver etc as nothing I had supported the 1080p resolution except my PCs and LCD monitors.

There are people better qualified to answer your specific questions than I.
But here goes...

1. I use an RC6 compliant remote (actually 2 of them, one HP and one Microsoft XP media center edition). You just configure MP to use the MSFT remote. It comes with a IR reciever that plugs into USB. I would guess that you buy just the IR receiver on eBay and program your remote to emulate the Mircrosoft Remote if that is possible.

2. Lots of video cards to choose. Your choice of price and connectors. I have the PCI Express GeForce 8500 GT with 2 DVI out. This is low end now but works great for me.

3. Have not set up 7.1.
My PC has 7.1 sound card but I only use the stereo out. My old receiver was 5.1 so no good. It sounds like what you want is a SPDIF connector (digital out) from sound card to the master receiver and let the master receiver distribute the signal to the various rooms.

The 1080i signal I receive "free over the air" in ATSC format looks crystal clear compared to standard resolution.

 

[RockJock]

Thank you moab for your response.

Anyone else want to take a stab at it too?