PCA Forums

I am thinking about building me a HTPC . I have never really looked into them . What all can they do , and what software do you recommend ? I'm not even sure what they are capable of ?

Hey nitro,

If you want to see what they're capable of you can swing by my place and check mine out. While it's not in one of those fancy smancy little cases, it is, none the less, an HTPC..

eGo

It depends on what your looking for. It can be as simple as a PC you hook up to your TV to play video games with, or as complex as your entire home entertainment system with.

I have a small one right now in my wife & I's bedroom. We use it as a PC for web surfing, a stereo (the MSI Mega 180 I have can play AM/FM & CD's with the computer powered off), our DVD player, and we can even use it as a PVR/DVR system (I don't really do this because I already have a DVR from the satellite company).

I run Windows MCE (Media Center Edition) 2005 on it.

I am considering building another one for our main TV, and using it as all the above, plus a HDTV receiver & DVR.

I want one that I can use as a DVR and can also play any media files from my PC .

What budget do you have?

Originally posted by BigCheeze
What budget do you have?

Not a too big . I have parts to build a decent PC ,

Barton 2500
Mobo
160 gig hard drive
1 gig of ram
DVD/RW
Radeon 9600Pro

A few other vid cards , hard drives etc

What else do I need ?

Should make a nice HTPC.

All you need is a PVR card, a remote control, a wireless keyboard, and a copy of Windows XP Media Center edition.

Here's what I'm using and I can recommend them:

http://www.pcalchemy.com/product_info.p ... cts_id=131

http://www.pcalchemy.com/product_info.p ... s-and-mice

http://www.xtremecomputing.co.uk/review ... =33&page=2

The keyboard has a joystick type mouse that works very well. I really like that Niveus remote control. It's also a 4 in 1 universal IR remote so I can run my TV, DVD and cable box from it.

Both the keyboard and the remote are RF so they have excellent range.

You may want to buy an HTPC case too. I'm using this one:

http://directron.com/cavt02uwa.html

You can see a photo of that case in my TV stand here: http://www.pcabusers.net/forums/showthr ... adid=40247

Directron has lots of nice HTPC cases.

For more details on my HTPC rig go here:

It's important you stick to hardware on Microsoft's compatible list for Media Center to avoid problems: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/medi ... sting.mspx

Also keep in mind that you need to install the Media Center version of ATI's Catalyst drivers and some other hardware like the mobo may have special Media Center drivers (NForce mobos, for instance, I think have a Media Center version of their drivers).

NewEgg and Directron sell XP Media Center Edition.

Would I be better off with an AIW card or the Hauppauge card ?

I'm happy with the Hauppauge card, and since you already have a good vid card why bother getting an AIW? The only problems I'm aware of with the Hauppauge is issues with NVidia cards, but since you have an ATI it will work fine.