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Finally I am getting all the parts on Thursday, please help few things

post #1 of 10
6/17/08 at 6:18am
Thread Starter 
I ordered following items for my first HTPC setup:

GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-S2H
Antec Fusion Black Version (Not sure whether it is V2, chiefvalue advertised the silver one as V2 but not this one)
Seagate 750GB Hard Drive
3GB Memory
AMD Athlon 6000+ processor
Vista Ultimate OS

I also bought "Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1600" from circuit city for 70$. Now my questions are

1) Does this TV Tuner card work well with my setup? Any cheaper and better options?
2) I heard two known problems with Fusion (LCD & static), is there any suggestions(blog or document) to work around for these problems?
3) Do I need to buy any other software for PVR Recording like beyondTV?
4) any step by step instructions on how to start building?
5) cool & free/cheap options for easy navigation and experience software suggestions for HTPC?

Thank you very much. Cant wait to assemble my first HTPC, excited
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post #2 of 10
6/17/08 at 6:24am
1) I'm no expert
2) I'm no expert
3) You should try gbpvr. Thats what i am going to try as soon as I get a tuner card. It also has built in support for the remote on your HVR-1600.
4) Plug in the CPU and ram, install MB in case, install and plug in HDD and ODD, power up, adjust bios, install OS. That's how I usually do it.
5) see #3.
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post #3 of 10
6/17/08 at 6:39am
1. I have used hvr-1600. i didnt like it very well coz it was giving me some weird choppiness that i couldnt get rid off, i switched to ati 650 pci-e and been a happy camper since.
2. No idea
3. you are using vista ultimate, then why not use the vistamediacenter thats already in the OS?
4. I usually install the cpu in the mobo and ram and have it outside the case and power it up. if i am happy then move it into the case, add the drives and stuff and install OS.
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post #4 of 10
6/17/08 at 7:16am
Thread Starter 
I am not going to use the remote that comes with the tuner card. I will use Harmony 880 remote. With this, any cheaper alternatives for tuner card?
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post #5 of 10
6/17/08 at 7:18am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by teookie View Post

4) Plug in the CPU and ram, install MB in case, install and plug in HDD and ODD, power up, adjust bios, install OS. That's how I usually do it.
5) see #3.

Could you elaborate more on this? what settings should I change, how do i change? Thanks,
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post #6 of 10
6/18/08 at 6:23pm
Thread Starter 
I have low profile XFX GEForce 7300GS lying around. Is there any improvement in quality or better performance if i install this 256MB card? does it work with my mother board? Thanks
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post #7 of 10
6/18/08 at 7:49pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by priceline View Post

I ordered following items for my first HTPC setup:

GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-S2H
Antec Fusion Black Version (Not sure whether it is V2, chiefvalue advertised the silver one as V2 but not this one)
Seagate 750GB Hard Drive
3GB Memory
AMD Athlon 6000+ processor
Vista Ultimate OS

I also bought "Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1600" from circuit city for 70$. Now my questions are

1) Does this TV Tuner card work well with my setup? Any cheaper and better options?
2) I heard two known problems with Fusion (LCD & static), is there any suggestions(blog or document) to work around for these problems?
3) Do I need to buy any other software for PVR Recording like beyondTV?
4) any step by step instructions on how to start building?
5) cool & free/cheap options for easy navigation and experience software suggestions for HTPC?

Thank you very much. Cant wait to assemble my first HTPC, excited

1) Some have reported problems with this card and Vista. Good choices are ATI 650, Vistaview DA-1n1

2) I have one. They had static issue on the first generation but has been resolved on V2. Never had problem with LCD. Make sure to download their latest drivers from Antec download

3)No, Vista does it well

4) install CPU and memory prior to in the case. then connect the rest. don't fill your slots (pci/pci-e) now, install your OS first and update.

5) Go straight with Vista MCE remote.

Good luck,

Charles
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post #8 of 10
6/18/08 at 8:29pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by charlesj123 View Post

1) Some have reported problems with this card and Vista. Good choices are ATI 650, Vistaview DA-1n1

2) I have one. They had static issue on the first generation but has been resolved on V2. Never had problem with LCD. Make sure to download their latest drivers from Antec download

3)No, Vista does it well

4) install CPU and memory prior to in the case. then connect the rest. don't fill your slots (pci/pci-e) now, install your OS first and update.

5) Go straight with Vista MCE remote.

Good luck,

Charles

Vista MCE remote? Do i have to buy one? Thanks
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post #9 of 10
6/18/08 at 11:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by priceline View Post

Vista MCE remote? Do i have to buy one? Thanks

You need a receiver of some sort in order for the PC to interact with your Harmony. The Microsoft Media Center remote comes with the IR receiver.

Not sure which remote your tuner card comes with. It may or may not be able to navigate Media Center.

BTW, alternatives to Media Center includes Meedios and MediaPortal. I personally use MediaPortal and love it a lot more than Media Center.
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post #10 of 10
6/19/08 at 6:03am
Thread Starter 
description of the tuner card says it includes IR Blaster:
[Includes an IR blaster to change the channel on your satellite or cable TV set top box]

Here is the link for the card in Circuitcity:
http://www.circuitcity.com/ssm/Haupp...oductDetail.do

Do I still need MCE remote? Thanks,
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