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Help... my head hurts

B

BigCheeze

n00b
Joined
Oct 15, 2004
Messages
14
Hey folks... I'm hopping you guys can give me a hand here, because my head is starting to hurt. I've asked some questions at the MSI forum & read a lot, but they are of little to no help... so here is goes. Thanks in advanced, and sorry it's so long.

I have just built me a SFF/HTPC system based on the MSI Mega 180 (see config below). I chose this system because it's small, and can be used as a CD player & AM/FM Stereo with the computer off. This system is being used in our bedroom, so it will most likely not be used as a gaming system, nor for watching HDTV (could change). It's basic purpose in life is as a: Stereo System, DVD Player, Surround Sound decoder, Lite internet surfing & general computing.

So far I have gotten just about everything working pretty good just using Win XP & the Media Center software that comes with the unit. The only thing I haven't gotten configured yet is a video capture setup to be able to watch my satellite TV (Dish) through the 180. I would like to be able to do this so that I can use the surround speakers instead of the cheesy ones on the TV (This TV was our "main" TV hooked up to my Onkyo/JBL surround system before we upgraded to a 51" Toshiba Widescreen HDTV *still drooling* so I never heard the speakers before...and they SUCK).

My problem is that MSI isn't supporting Win XP MCE 2005 which is what I want to upgrade too. What this means is their TV/Video capture card that works easily with their remote won't work under MCE. :( So I'm either stuck using their Media Center software, or I need to find another approach. And THAT is what I'm trying to do.

What I'm looking for is a card that either comes with a remote or some way (like through girder) I can program the MSI included remote to control it, works with XP MCE 2005, is good, not overly expensive,and will allow me to watch & record off of my Dish Satellite DVR system. I don't care (and probably don't want) about things like a AM/FM turner, or if it's AGP or PCI, or if it does or doesn't have an integrated Video card (like a ATi AIW) because I don't plan on playing video high frame rate video games (solitaire doesn't need much :D), but it might be nice to be able to claim back memory from the video card.

Hopefully I've made sense and not just babbled on too much. Any thoughts, suggestions, and help is GREATLY appreciated. Thanks again!!

System:
MSI Mega 180 "Deluxe"
AMD XP 3000+
512 MB DDR400
Seagate 200MB HDD
NEC 3500A 16X DVD +/- R/RW drive
MS Cordless Desktop (Got a good deal on V.1... and it sucks looking for replacement)
Logitech Z640 5.1 Speakers
Integrated Nvida MX400 Video card

27" JVC Stereo TV (nothing too special)
Dish Network Satellite TV (With DVR)
 
maybe you should check out the MCE 2005 bundles at pcalchemy? or you could just buy a hauppauge 150 or 250. i think that will work. u can program your current remote with girder to work with mce 2005 or get another one.
 
Thanks... I was looking at those cards. Luckily I already have MCE 2005 (I get a free MSDN subscription through my work :D)
 
The problem isn't that MSI isn't supporting MCE it's that MS isn't supporting your specific tuner card because it's a software encoding solution like ATi's AIW series and of lower quality, MCE will only work with Hardware based encoders.

What I would suggest (and pretty much everyone in any HTPC forum) is to get a Hauppauge PVR card, 150/150MCE250/250MCE, one of those. I would suggest getting a PVR 150MCE and yes you'll want a specific MCE version if you go with a 250 as well. Something in Hauppauge's drivers and MCE doesn't play nice when used with a regular 250.

If you can't find a 150MCE then this would be good: ATI E-Home Wonder
But for some damn reason ATI has made it rather hard to find brand new drivers for it so you'll have to Google for them.
 
Sweet... thanks for the info CE. Do you know if I could get the remote that came with the MSI system to work with the Hauppauge? Or would I need to get the Hauppauge's remote and try to configure it to work with the MSI (I don't think there is anything actually specific other than the PC off featuers which I could just use the MSI remote or change channels/volume from the front anyways)
 
You could use an app called Girder which lets you map keystrokes to a remote buttom but it has a rather steep learning curve. Hopefully someone has already tried this and made a plug in for Girder and your remote. If not it's more then possible to setup a universal remote to do it.
 
Yea, I have looked at girder. there is a plug in for the MSI remote. I'm just wondering if it's worth it to buy girder ($20) and go through all the set up or spend about $40 to get the MS remote....

I think I might just try grider and see what happens... I can always go buy the MS remote later if needed.

Thanks again for your help!
 
OK... I just ordered the PVR 150 MCE. Should be here this weekend... I will let you know. Thanks again CE for your help. :D
 
Thanks... I did know about that (as I've been looking around there). So far the remote hasn't been too bad, but if you have suggestions on a better remote that will work well I'm willing to look at it and consider it.
 
You know there is a free version of girder out there. ;) It use to be free until some version I forget but I DLed it awhile back so I'll go through my CDs and try and find it.
 
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