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Well first find out what exact connections your family member's TV has and get back to us on that. Kind of hard to recommend parts if we don't know if it'll work with the TV or not.
Oh and is OS factored into the price of this HTPC?
I'll call now, and what kind of OS is needed? I have some keys for vista from an old MSDN subscription if the Media Center from Vista will work.
Vista Home Premium or Vista Ultimate will do just fine. Also Windows 7 RC is a good you want to go bleeding edge and deal with potential compatibility problems.
I'm worried about the RC and its expiration in May? of next year.
I'm open to a Linux or other open source solution for the OS if that is usable.
EDIT: Another question, say I record some TV, am I able to burn it to a DVD?
Well by then Windows 7 should be released, which IIRC, is during the holiday season of this year. So then you can pay for a copy of an actual retail Windows 7, reinstall, etc. Sitll though if you already have legit keys for Vista Home Premium and Vista Ultimate, you'll be fine.
Yes you'll be able to burn it to a DVD.
Some prelim recommendations:
$25 - Kingston KVR800D2N6/2G 2 x 1GB DDR2 800 RAM
$75 - Western Digital WD6401AALS 640GB 7200RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
$25 - Samsung SH-222F 22X DVD±R SATA DVD Burner
$116 - Antec NSK2480 mATX case with Antec Earthwatts 380W PSU
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Total: $241 plus tax and shipping
Still working out the CPU, mobo and possible video card (for the component output)
TV tuner wise, I see these Tuners recommended a lot in this part of the forum:
Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1600 ATSC/ClearQAM/NTSC PCI TV Tuner Card w/Remote 1178 -$85
Hauppauge WINTVHVR1600 Dual Tuner PCI TV Tuner Card w/MCE Remote - $88
Hauppauge WinTV-HVR 1800 PCI-E x1 TV Tuner Card w/MCE Remote - $95
$150 - Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 1229 PCI-E x1 Dual TV Tuner / Encoder w/MCE Remote
He doesn't need component out for the video card; the TV is 480i even on the component inputs. His spare 5200 could work just fine since all he needs is decent/solid svideo out at the most.
5200 is VGA only
So would I need something like this?
http://ecx.images-amazon.com/images/I/41RG%2BrIoueL._SL500_AA280_.jpg[/QUOTE]
Forget it. Pick up a cheap/decent newer video card that has svideo out on it.
Those cables won't work, read the fine print on it.
And seriously, host your own images. Don't steal bandwidth.
Forget it. Pick up a cheap/decent newer video card that has svideo out on it.
Those cables won't work, read the fine print on it.
And seriously, host your own images. Don't steal bandwidth.
Well, your suggestion means something like $500-600 while mine is a $35-40 option.Or tell them to buy a better tv
Forget it. Pick up a cheap/decent newer video card that has svideo out on it.
Those cables won't work, read the fine print on it.
FixedAnd seriously, host your own images. Don't steal bandwidth.
Tuner: Hauppauge HVR-1600 or 1800. Dual tuner. If you don't want to record two things at once or watch one thing while recording another, then I would say a PVR150 would be just fine.
You can see the differences here:I think recording 2 things at once will be needed so what is the difference between a HVR-1600 and HVR-1800?
You can see the differences here:
http://www.hauppauge.com/site/compare/compare_hvr-internal.html
Whats the difference between an analog and digital tuner?
That's the major difference right there: One's Analog, one's digital. Google or wiki it for more info.
Oh and digital is more due to the long overdue DTV transfer here in the U.S in June.
So when the transition happens, the analog tuner becomes useless? Would I still be able to record more than 1 show at a time? Sorry, I am new to video stuff.
I think I will get the 2250. I see 2 connectors on it
Do both of those need something connected to them to record two shows at once?
Yes, TV and FM...
I know 2 people have already said that.
If your TV tuner has a hardware encoder (like the HVR-2250) then that P4 1.8Ghz speed wise would probably be enough. However, I'm betting thats a socket 478 P4 1.8Ghz and considering that not many socket 478 mobos had PCI-E. So you're better off buying new.What would be the minimum CPU for a an HTPC? I now have an extra P4 1.8 Ghz lying around.
If your TV tuner has a hardware encoder (like the HVR-2250) then that P4 1.8Ghz speed wise would probably be enough. However, I'm betting thats a socket 478 P4 1.8Ghz and considering that not many socket 478 mobos had PCI-E. So you're better off buying new.
Better off performance wise yeah, but the bank is better off with used parts I'll see what I can do.
Good luck trying to find a socket 478 mobo that has PCI-E.
Before I sold it I had a decent/nice Asrock s478 VIA chipset board that had a PCIe x16 slot.Yeah, good point, I'll shop around for a cheap solution then
You could easily do an SDTV HTPC. Although if you want to do any HD, you'd have to upgrade. Plus, you may as well buy an Atom processor, it would kick that P4 1.8ghz ass.
I think I will get the 2250. I see 2 connectors on it
Do both of those need something connected to them to record two shows at once?
Ok, maybe a cheap celeron or something like this? It has a real low power usage which is not needed, but a plus. Would this do the trick?
SDTV's just aren't worth building an HTPC for.
Ok, maybe a cheap celeron or something like this? It has a real low power usage which is not needed, but a plus. Would this do the trick?
Say I get
Intel Celeron 440 Conroe-L 2.0GHz $52.99
Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1600 $84.99(Talked to the family member, they said recording two things at once won't be needed)
Antec New Solution NSK2480 $119.99
Is it possible to keep the build $400 or less? I think I got something it to 425 with out shipping, but I forgot what it was.