Quote:
Originally Posted by
Berilon 
Are you using windows 7 media center?
I had the same question a few weeks ago. I thought everything would be digital, but its not. If you want to receive your unencrypted channel via Time Warner, you will need a analog card for analog cable and a digital QAM Tuner for the Clear QAM channel.
If you still have a analog tuner card, you can use that card for your analog channel and by a digital card for your QAM channel.
Do you plan do use your set top box?
I am using Windows 7 MC. I just thought for some reason that there would be more channels if I went with a digital card, but the only extra I would receive are the Clear QAM? My TV upstairs receives Clear QAM, and there's really nothing worth buying an extra card over. So, I guess if I wanted to get the channels I receive with the cable box upstairs I need to wait until the CableCard devices come out because they are encrypted?? I don't use a set top box on the TV that this HTPC is hooked up to. I always just ran the coax directly from the wall to the TV, and now from the wall to the Tuner Card. Is there a reason why you asked? Would I be better off using the set top box? Thanks!
Quote:
Originally Posted by
mike_311
you will get the unencrypted HD locals or maybe more HD depending on your market if you get a digital tuner.
this site will tell you what you can expect to receive and at what resolutions.
http://www.silicondust.com/hdhomerun/channels_us
you can choose at the top, digital antenna or digital cable, make sure you pick the right one, its kind of hidden.
i know in my area i have digital and analog through QAM, but i didn't set up analog becuase you will get duplicated channels in the guide unless you merge them which is really time consuming and unnecessary.
also if you use plan to use windows media center (and you should, becuase its awesome), if you want to do digital QAM you have to use win7, vista wont do it without a crappy tv pack add-on.
also save that SD site i linked, you are going to need it to map the guide data.
Thanks a ton for the link, it is a great help! I do use win7 Media Center, and so far I love it. I use win7 MC for viewing live TV, and MediaPortal for everything else.
Edit: Actually that link only lists Comcast for my area, and I'm on Time Warner. I'll try to figure out how to get to TWC.
Quote:
Originally Posted by
Derek K.
my htpc has been running 24/7 for over 5 years with the same mobo and memory. I replaced the cpu about 2 years ago not because it failed, but I wanted something a little faster. The hard drive was in use for about 4.5 years straight.
video cards are a different story, though. I've gone though about 10.
as long as your case has sufficient cooling, the hw can last a long time.
That's good news, I thought it would be ok... I just wasn't sure. Do you have any power management schemes set up, or is it running full power all the time (i.e. no sleep/standby)?
Here are the specs on the HTPC I built, should I add more cooling? I was considering going liquid cooled, but it seems kind of like overkill since I'm not big on overclocking or anything.
Intel C2Q Q6600 @ 3.0ghz
EVGA 780i SLI motherboard
4gb PC1066 Patriot Viper DDR2
OCZ Vendetta II CPU Cooler
9400GT 512mb w/ Native HDMI
Lite-on 4x Bluray Drive
CoolerMaster Elite 335 Case (with additional SilenX front fan)
Thermaltake TR2 430W PSU
2x Samsung 500GB HDD's
1x WD 1TB HDD
Windows 7 Home Premium
