PVR/DVR/HTPC Recommendations Please

[JTB]

Hi,

I haven't posted in long time because I've been enjoying my big screen. Thanks for all the help on getting that set up so it was more than just watchable.

I have a question about video cards.

I've got a Dish Network PVR (which they're now calling DVR), that I'd like to keep, but move to a different room. "Some people" have problems using the VCR and since the PVR/DVR is easier to use, I'd like them to have access to the PVR/DVR and not have to worry about using the VCR anymore.

To do that, I need to replace my PVR/DVR Dish unit with a standard Dish receiver, which I've got, and then turn my extra PC into a HTPC.

The machine I plan to use currently has these specs:

AMD T-Bird 1.1GB Processor
Windows XP Home (Still SP1)
1GB PC133 RAM
Maxtor 30GB Hard Drive
Hercules 3D Prophet GTS 64MB Pro
40X CD ROM

----

I want to add a 60GB Seagate Hard Drive. It will be an IDE drive, the mobo doesn't accept SATA and I don't want to buy the PCI card to add an SATA. I don't think it's necessary.

The mobo is limited to 4X AGP as far as I know, unless a BIOS upgrade will change that. But let's assume it won't.

So, with that information, I'd like recommendations for a CHEAP video card so I can use this computer as my new PVR/DVR/HTPC. By cheap I mean less than $125, if possible.

I don't need or want anything too fancy. With the 60GB drive, I'll have all the room I need to record shows. I'll use the 30GB drive for software and the 60GB drive will be dedicated to recording and nothing more. This'll almost double the space of the PVR/DVR. I think that's got 36 or 37GBs.

What I need is the cheapest way to get this machine capable of taking in my Dish signal and recording it for me.

I know there are sites where I can get TV schedules, I even subscribed to a free one. But if anyone has recommendations for that, I'd like to hear them too.

I also know about PowerStrip, but if anyone has recommendations on PVR/DVR/HTPC software - preferably FREE software, that would be good to hear about too.

Thanks for the help.

[ancorp]

Ok. My guess is that when you say video card, you mean a video card that has video input as well. I suggest that you get a seperate video card (agp4 or 8x, they are both compatable in 4x), and a seperate tv tuner card. The one I use is an MSI TV@nywhere TV tuner. Its abit old, if you wish to go the MSI way, the the Master version of it, it has a stereo cable tuner instead of mono, and has FM radio too.

I dont know much on americal prices, but looks like a radeon 9200se would be great, probably too much for just video. It costs about 40-50$? And the tv tuner should cost about the same. BTW, the MSI tv tuner does have a small remote control and sensor.

Suggested Software for best display quality (deinterlacing and scaling) DScaler, its a free program.

The software that I use for recording is Intervideo WinDVR 3. It encodes in DVD format pretty fast, in real time. It stuggled abit with my Duron 900MHz, but your 1.1 should do ok. If not, than you can always lower the quality to 640x480, or to SVCD (480x480). What sucks about this simple to use software is the image quality is not as good as DScaler. WinDVR blends the 60fields (or 50 if you use PAL) to 30 fps, and has annoying fading inbetween. Still looks ok though. DScaler does 60 progressive scan FPS, and looks very sharp, sharper than WinDVR. But recording in full quality on DScaler, I estimate a need for about a 6-8ghz processor!

I suggest that if you buy the stuff I recommended, take the money left over from that 125$ bugget, and buy yourself a soundblaster live, or Audigy, if possible, so you can have a dolby digital decoder on your pc, for the best digital sound from a sattelite. (it does have digital out doesnt it?).

If you need anymore help or have any more questions, post.

ANC

[ancorp]

BTW, there is no need for SATA, you are right.
its just not worth it if you dont have a SATA controller.

[JTB]

Thanks for the response.

I guess I did leave my soundcard out of my specs. I have an SBLive Gamer in that machine.

Regarding digital sound, the standard Dish box has these outputs:

svideo
RCA video
RCA Left sound
RCA Right sound

So, that means no digital audio. I guess. Right?

I do like the idea of keeping the seperate video card. The current card does everything I anticipate needing it to do, which is playing old Atari and Nintendo games using emulators. And if I need or want to upgrade, I'm not replacing my TV card too. Good idea! Thanks!

I was looking at this product from Leadtek, but then I noticed the difference between the I/O's on this unit and on the MSI unit and based on that I'd go with the MSI unit.

http://www.leadtek.com/multimedia/wi..._expert_1.html

And here's their pages at Newegg. There are better pictures of the I/O's.

Leadtek: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...122-180&depa=0

MSI: http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProduc...127-998&depa=0

[ancorp]

No problem.

Yea, the MSI seems better, both cards use the same 10 bit chip.

Too bad that you dont have digital out. That soundcard is pretty decent for Dolby Digital 5.1 .

The only reason I see for you to buy a new video card is if that one doesnt have TV out, or the TV out isnt very decent (ATi Radeon cards have great TV output).

That reciever seems abit old. I expected digital sound and component (maybe even progressive scan component) out.

BTW, about the software. DScaler is free, and WinDVR3 is free with the MSI card (maybe Leadtek too, i dont know).

[JTB]

What I use for getting the PC picture onto my projection panel is the monitor output on the video card. It works fine. I could use S-Video too, but I think the reason I used the monitor output was that I didn't have an S-Video cable. Although, I did just find the S-Video cable that came with the 9500 Pro I have in this PC. Maybe I should give it a try.

As for the receiver, it's the same one that they were using 2 years ago when we had our dish installed and they're still using it now. It's still the basic receiver. All the other receivers are recorders too. It is sad, but that's the way it is.

Thanks again for the advice.

[ancorp]

Monitor output will give better, sharper results.

[ace3000_1]

Too bad that you dont have digital out. That soundcard is pretty decent for Dolby Digital 5.1 .

And how would you connect the digital signal to the sound card if it doesnt have a digital in?

[ancorp]

actually yes it does. If not on the breakout card or live drive, usually extras, than on the card itself, its called SPDIF in, you will have to get a 2 pin wire and a mono mic or headphone jack to make the connection.

[ancorp]

Trev,
If you are trying to find something wrong with my posts, to start a debate about digital in on a live card, I have one in my hands right now, and can get pics to proove it.