I am looking to make the move to a HTPC solution for my familys TV needs. We are a current Time Warner Cable (TWC) digital subscriber and have one DVR in the house with two other TVs with standard cable connection. I have a three year old Dell Inspiron 480s desktop (Win7, Intel 5i 2.3 Ghz quad with 6Gb of RAM). I have a Netgear GS1016G 16 port gig switch with all Cat6 cabling in the house. We also have two xBoxs and four iPads in the house as well.
I am purchasing the Silcondusts HDHomeRun Prime cable-card box and will set up my Dell 480s desktop as a HTPC to run Windows Media Center (WMC). I would have this set up then stream to the two xboxs on the other TVs.
I will need to upgrade my graphics card on the Dell 480s to get a HDMI port with audio to my Sony TV.
Here are my questions for you:
Does the new graphics card need to support HDCP?
When WMC records a program, is it saved in a format that is encrypted and can only play through WMC? Or can I transfer these files to an iPad to watch on it?
Any recommendations on a HTPC TV remote that works with WMC?
Thank you for any suggestions you can provide.
Rocky
I am purchasing the Silcondusts HDHomeRun Prime cable-card box and will set up my Dell 480s desktop as a HTPC to run Windows Media Center (WMC). I would have this set up then stream to the two xboxs on the other TVs.
I will need to upgrade my graphics card on the Dell 480s to get a HDMI port with audio to my Sony TV.
Here are my questions for you:
Does the new graphics card need to support HDCP?
When WMC records a program, is it saved in a format that is encrypted and can only play through WMC? Or can I transfer these files to an iPad to watch on it?
Any recommendations on a HTPC TV remote that works with WMC?
Thank you for any suggestions you can provide.
Rocky