First HTPC Build

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PWMK2

2[H]4U
Joined
Dec 4, 2005
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Hey guys, I'm a bit of an HTPC n00b as I'm currently in the process of building my first one...

I currently have:
Intel Celeron D 330 (now discontinued?)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16813186021 - Foxconn 865PE7MC-E microATX mobo

Now, this HTPC's purpose will be a bit different than others. I already have a DirecTV HD TiVo that is used as the PVR. What I would like to do is capture video from the TiVo to record to the HTPC's HDD. The HTPC will also be used to play other videos out onto the HDTV that are DivX and H.264. What video card would you guys recommend? I would like to capture in HD through component if that is at all possible. I don't need a TV tuner since everything is being taken off of the TiVo. Also, it must work in MCE 2005 and it would be nice if whatever I got had low-power consumption and/or a passive cooler. Also, the mobo is AGP-only, so no PCIe, please. I'm also on a bit of a budget (under $250, might stretch to $300). Everything else (case, DVD drive, HDD, etc.) is also already taken care of.
 
no component capture, sorry. the only way to get HD content on your computer is to get a card that will tune the free over the air broadcasts. as for what video card, go with a 6600 like this one...
http://www.pcalchemy.com/product_in...cards?osCsid=3b45f58bec47e045c9d617b296adb8a1

if you want an OTA HD tuner, I like my Fusion so far...
http://store.snapstream.com/fusionhdtv-lite.html

and to capture any incoming stream in SD, you can still use a hauppauge. it will leave the tuner option available for later and can capture any incoming feed through the svideo port.
 
Well, I don't live in a very large city, so I don't have HD content over the air. I have to get it all off the sattelite. All I want to do is get video off of the TiVo. But it sounds like I'm going to have to go with standard def. capturing. However, couldn't I save myself money and simply use the VIVO function in a 6600 to capture the video through s-video? Or does that not work with MCE 2005?
 
afaik, the vivo function of the card doesn't work like that in mce. You're better off to plunk down the cash and get a pvr150 or pvr500 (dual tuners on one card) that will do a lot more than just the vivo.

as far as capturing in sd, you can always use FFDshow to upscale and clean the picture up for playback. But this depends on your frontend software.

:EDIT: You *MAY* be able to grab some of the "Free to air" channels that are beamed from the satellite if you use a card designed for such purposes. Not sure of their support in MCE or other frontends though.

some example cards are:
twinhan

these

:EDIT2: oh...and here's a list of the FTA channels available in the US.
http://www.ftadirect.com/free_usa_satellite_tv_1610_ctg.html

:EDIT: The Twinhan-CI seems to be supported in MediaPortal...I may have to pick one of those up ;)
 
Alright, thanks. Yeah, I arleady use fddshow to clean up my SD stuff I have on my main computer, and I agree that the quality is greatly improved. Looks like I'm going to be getting the pvr500 and a 6600GT then (for the soon-to-be H.264 acceleration). A little more than I was going to spend at first, but that just means I'll have to work harder this summer. :)
 
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