Is this the ultimate HTPC? Dell HTPC for $1700 configured. - Page 2

I agree, I am still in sticker shock with the 420. Overall the system is pretty slick. I should do a writeup at some point.

So far I have the following setup:
XPS connected with dual ATI tuners.

2 xbox360s in other rooms running as extenders. Able to stream live HD streams and recored programming.

Future additions:
Openfiler box running as an iSCSI target for recorded programming. Move DVD collection into DVR-MS format for playback through MyMovies from either SMB shares or mounted iSCSI volumes.

The DVR/Program guide through MCE/MCEx is leaps and bounds above the DVRs provided by my cable company(insight).

I'm wondering why you plan to remux your DVDs to dvr-ms? With videoredo I assume.

I occasionally do that, but they go in \
ecorded tv\\, not a DVD folder. My Movies, or just the dvd gallery, handle the DVDs as is, ie in video_ts folders.

The remux is so I can watch the DVDs through the 360s with rw/ff. I read a guide I saw either here or on tgb.

There is a thread in the OT section of My Movies about the ripping process.

On a side note, Dell is running $400 off on the 420 right now.

I can play BR and HDDDVD with my 2400 card, so the 2600 is good enough for BR/HDDVD, that said, it's an old card so I wouldn't choose it. The only thing I'd take from that computer and put in my HTPC is the CPU. But since I'm a AMD fan I wouldn't take that either