Hello everyone, I'm looking to do a DIY Tivo type project where my computer would be the "entertainment center" of the home, playing CD's, DVDs and internet radio, while able to record and timeshift TV onto its hard drive.
Couldn't find much on this site so I am wondering whether anyone knows any good links or places where I could get started.
-thanks
Couldn't find much on this site so I am wondering whether anyone knows any good links or places where I could get started.
-thanks
the best way to go about this would be to build a small PC and load windows XP MCE (Media center edition) onto it.
I'd suggest a VIA Epia motherboard. These things are tiny and they have an integrated 700mhz+ CPU. The motherboard is about $100.
Not sure how much Windows XP MCE is, but I belive it has a built in TV recorder, much like tivo 🙂
I'd suggest a VIA Epia motherboard. These things are tiny and they have an integrated 700mhz+ CPU. The motherboard is about $100.
Not sure how much Windows XP MCE is, but I belive it has a built in TV recorder, much like tivo 🙂
I would reccommend a faster motherboard and CPU combo, a 700mhz Via would be pretty slow for encoding TV (in mpeg4/divx I presume.) You'd probably want to get an Ati All in Wonder video card, and use Windows MCE.
Igreen,
I am also interested in HTPC, and I hope that this thread will spark some interest in the topic. I think that this site will be helpful in your search for information: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=26 . Good luck with your project.
Spinnaker
I am also interested in HTPC, and I hope that this thread will spark some interest in the topic. I think that this site will be helpful in your search for information: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/forumdisplay.php?s=&forumid=26 . Good luck with your project.
Spinnaker
Well I am building precisely what lgreen wishes to do.
I am currently in the process of building my mini-itx DivX Box (which is what I want to link projecter up to).
I recommend that you need at least an Nehemiah M-1000 as this produces the smoothest quality of the itx's.
The 533mhz can reasonably play MPEG-1's and thats about it and the 800mhz can just play DVD's but lags on fast scenes plus DivX is *un-playable*.
Though the Nehemiah M-1000 plays all at a superb speed.
Links:
Mini-ITX - Then go to online store
LinItx - Good shop
I am currently in the process of building my mini-itx DivX Box (which is what I want to link projecter up to).
I recommend that you need at least an Nehemiah M-1000 as this produces the smoothest quality of the itx's.
The 533mhz can reasonably play MPEG-1's and thats about it and the 800mhz can just play DVD's but lags on fast scenes plus DivX is *un-playable*.
Though the Nehemiah M-1000 plays all at a superb speed.
Links:
Mini-ITX - Then go to online store
LinItx - Good shop
Are you going with satellite? If so I might look into getting a used dishplayer. People have figured out video extraction on them, you could couple with with a pc for a really nice PVR.
Why are any of you messing around with NTSC video? Just get one of the several HDTV cards out there and have something way cool. The Hapauge card is only about $200 and there are several others as well. Now you can look at a 19.39 mbs data stream with up to 6 Mpeg video streams all of which are 5.1 audio, if the broadcaster does it that way.
I understand wanting to look at the DVDs and some of the other NTSC video sources but why to go to the work of makeing up something like this and not including the BEST source.
LaterBZ
PS; By the way you will need a 1.3gig pc or faster if you want to record HD. The PC is not the issue, its the hard drive and it's interface that is the problem. Oh ya, Get the biggest drive you can find too. Lets see 19.39 mbs time a 2 hour movie. YIKES
I understand wanting to look at the DVDs and some of the other NTSC video sources but why to go to the work of makeing up something like this and not including the BEST source.
LaterBZ
PS; By the way you will need a 1.3gig pc or faster if you want to record HD. The PC is not the issue, its the hard drive and it's interface that is the problem. Oh ya, Get the biggest drive you can find too. Lets see 19.39 mbs time a 2 hour movie. YIKES
Go Linux
I don't why people are saying for you to try winXP Media Center... I would install Linux then go to www.sf.net and download one of the programs there that does the same thing if not better and free!!! I think the top one is Freevo.
I don't why people are saying for you to try winXP Media Center... I would install Linux then go to www.sf.net and download one of the programs there that does the same thing if not better and free!!! I think the top one is Freevo.
MythTv www.mythtv.org is a real great one for linux, but you have to have a PHD to set it up (actually just a few weeks to learn the basics on linux). Remeber, when you build an htpc, you do not need a super fast processor. I would say you could go as low as 1 ghz if not lower as long as you use hardware encoding/decoding for mpeg video.
The $200 hauppauge card is crap. It scales all video down to 480i. Their HDTV card is just as much as the MyHD and Fusion cards which people tend to like better.
It all you want is digital audio from a TV signal without HD video... then by all means get the hauppauge.
It all you want is digital audio from a TV signal without HD video... then by all means get the hauppauge.
I've been doing that since march
with the mini-itx, works like a charm🙂
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12018
I do want a better cap card though.
with the mini-itx, works like a charm🙂
http://www.diyaudio.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=12018
I do want a better cap card though.
Hauppauge card
jcbklyny, are you talking about the WinTV PVR-350/250? I was thinking about building a TiVo box around this card because of it's MPEG encoding capabilities. My requirements are:
time shifting
on screen display
EPG
archiving
I plan on using the MyHTPC software at http://myhtpc.net/ since it is an open framework to build a home theater around. Add USB-UIRT (IR remote control from your computer) and Girder. That's all you need I'm pretty sure.
jcbklyny, are you talking about the WinTV PVR-350/250? I was thinking about building a TiVo box around this card because of it's MPEG encoding capabilities. My requirements are:
time shifting
on screen display
EPG
archiving
I plan on using the MyHTPC software at http://myhtpc.net/ since it is an open framework to build a home theater around. Add USB-UIRT (IR remote control from your computer) and Girder. That's all you need I'm pretty sure.
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