Suggestions needed (1 Viewer)

[Torach]

Hello.

First post here even though I have been an frequest reader of the forum and site.

I am building my first HTPC now and need some suggestion

My build will be as this right now

Antech Fusion
Asrock 939NF6G-VSTA (Motherboard)
AMD64 3500+
2*512MB Twinmos DDR400
1*Seagate 120GB PATA
NEC ND-7173 (I think)
Hauppauge WinTV-GO2

I am gonna use the inbuilt grafics and sound right now.

I will be mainly using it for playing DVDs and Xvids right now.

The main suggestion on HW I need is the TV Card. I need a good DVB-C card with an CI. What DVB-C Card works great with mediaportal?

And later on when I get my HD Ready Plasma what is it that I need to upgrade to be able to run h264? compressed movies and shows?

Thanks a ton

 

[level20peon]

Hello Torach,


Your system should be able to run MediaPortal without any problems. I also think it should be able to handle h264 flawlessly.

I recommend the digital-everywhere FireDTV DVB-C CI card which is available as external set-top box and internal version which you can either put into a 3,5" FDD slot or a PCI slot. Both versions are connected via FireWire and have a built-in CI.


-level20peon

 

[Torach]

Thanks for your reply. One question about that FireDTV card. Does it use one firewire connection on the motherboard or does it use an normal "external" firewire connector?

 

[level20peon]

It uses an external connector. If you chose to install it in a PCI slot you are able to put the cable through its slotsheet (it has a hole). You also could buy a cable that you can connect directly to the mainboard since you can pull of the original cable from the card. This depends on the shops which are available to you, might be hard to find.


-level20peon

 

[Torach]

Thanks again for your reply.

On Tuesday the Case will arrive so I will start building it then...

 

[Torach]

One last question =)

Why FireDTV what is wrong with http://www.twinhan.com/product_cable_2033.asp

Thanks

 

[level20peon]

Go read the forum. I'm sure that there are more people who recommend the FireDTV if they had the choice between these two cards. The support from the manufacturer (driver / firmware updates) also is better. You could buy both cards and try them over a long time and choose yourself what is the better one for your needs


-level20peon