(If you don't feel like reading my whole post, I have 3 questions at the bottom
)
This is my first post here on AVS forums. I am new to the HTPC scene, and have learned almost everything I know from the guys over at [H]ardforum. I was hoping to get a few pointers from some experienced people.
So far, this is what I have:
CPU/mobo: AMD AthlonXP 1900+/ Chaintech 7NIL1 mATX
Video: ATi Radeon 9700 pro
Audio: Chaintech AV-710
Tuner: Hauppauge 250MCE
IR: DIY lirc ir receiver
Case: An old gutted Phillips AOLTV box
DVD Rom: Slimline slot loading laptop drive, with IDE Adapter
HDD: 250gig 8mb cache 7200 rpm WD
(Later, I will add a VFD display)
256mb RAM
Controls: Gyration set with mini keyboard, and mouse. Also I have an infrared keyboard that came with the AOL TV I hope I will be able to use ... it's got a joystick built into it.
As far as software goes, I will use WinXP Pro as the OS, and I will be expecting to use SageTV as the front end (i read about an STV with commercial detection and other nice features), along with Zoom player with FFDShow & NVDVD 4 codecs for DVD playback. Girder & lirc plugin for automation.
I might go with MCE2005, since I can add a modem and get onscreen caller ID which seems like a good feature to me. What do you guys suggest? Can you use FFDshow with MCE2k5? What is DScaler? Would it Benefit me?
I also plan on throwing a few emulators and a bunch of roms on there.
I tried to make as much room for expansion as possible:
I don't have an HDTV yet, so I will start with the svideo out, once I get an HDTV, I will use the DVI port to get 1:1 pixel mapping.
I don't have a receiver, but when I do get one, I will have bit perfect audio using the latest Via drivers and ASIO4ALL, over the optical cable.
I only have 3 questions/conerns:
#1) Just a question about my Hard drive. Ever since I bought it, it's been in my old file server .. a p2-333mhz, running off of the controller card that came with it.
My question: With the new computer setup, will I still need to use the controller card? Is it still required to break the 137 gig barrier?
Also, should I add a 2nd hard drive to put the OS on -- and use the 250gigger to put all the music/movies/games/etc on?
#2) I have Digital cable through comcast. They issue the Scientific Atlanta Explorer 2200 STB. That's the only Digital Cable box they offer. It doesn't have the RS232/serial port on the back ... so I wouldn't be able to control channel changes through my HTPC which is where I'm stuck now.
I'm very disapointed. I confronted comcast about it, and they tell me that if I were to buy my own STB, the *ONLY* one that will work on their system is the Motorola DCP501 ... which seems a little ludacris in my opinion. (check this thing out: hxxp:// broadband.motorola.com/consumers/products/dcp501/ )
I know I could use a USB UIRT, but I think that would defeat the purpose of me building my own LIRC device ... and I read that channel changes are very delayed ...
#3) IF I were to get HDTV (I don't think I will any time soon, since comcast only offers 8 channels in HD, and i'm not a sports fan) How would that work with my HTPC? Explain this to me like I'm a newborn babe, with much detail from every aspect as possible ... such as connections ... recording ... etc ...
Please post any comments, suggestions, pointers, or anything
This is my first post here on AVS forums. I am new to the HTPC scene, and have learned almost everything I know from the guys over at [H]ardforum. I was hoping to get a few pointers from some experienced people.
So far, this is what I have:
CPU/mobo: AMD AthlonXP 1900+/ Chaintech 7NIL1 mATX
Video: ATi Radeon 9700 pro
Audio: Chaintech AV-710
Tuner: Hauppauge 250MCE
IR: DIY lirc ir receiver
Case: An old gutted Phillips AOLTV box
DVD Rom: Slimline slot loading laptop drive, with IDE Adapter
HDD: 250gig 8mb cache 7200 rpm WD
(Later, I will add a VFD display)
256mb RAM
Controls: Gyration set with mini keyboard, and mouse. Also I have an infrared keyboard that came with the AOL TV I hope I will be able to use ... it's got a joystick built into it.
As far as software goes, I will use WinXP Pro as the OS, and I will be expecting to use SageTV as the front end (i read about an STV with commercial detection and other nice features), along with Zoom player with FFDShow & NVDVD 4 codecs for DVD playback. Girder & lirc plugin for automation.
I might go with MCE2005, since I can add a modem and get onscreen caller ID which seems like a good feature to me. What do you guys suggest? Can you use FFDshow with MCE2k5? What is DScaler? Would it Benefit me?
I also plan on throwing a few emulators and a bunch of roms on there.
I tried to make as much room for expansion as possible:
I don't have an HDTV yet, so I will start with the svideo out, once I get an HDTV, I will use the DVI port to get 1:1 pixel mapping.
I don't have a receiver, but when I do get one, I will have bit perfect audio using the latest Via drivers and ASIO4ALL, over the optical cable.
I only have 3 questions/conerns:
#1) Just a question about my Hard drive. Ever since I bought it, it's been in my old file server .. a p2-333mhz, running off of the controller card that came with it.
My question: With the new computer setup, will I still need to use the controller card? Is it still required to break the 137 gig barrier?
Also, should I add a 2nd hard drive to put the OS on -- and use the 250gigger to put all the music/movies/games/etc on?
#2) I have Digital cable through comcast. They issue the Scientific Atlanta Explorer 2200 STB. That's the only Digital Cable box they offer. It doesn't have the RS232/serial port on the back ... so I wouldn't be able to control channel changes through my HTPC which is where I'm stuck now.
I'm very disapointed. I confronted comcast about it, and they tell me that if I were to buy my own STB, the *ONLY* one that will work on their system is the Motorola DCP501 ... which seems a little ludacris in my opinion. (check this thing out: hxxp:// broadband.motorola.com/consumers/products/dcp501/ )
I know I could use a USB UIRT, but I think that would defeat the purpose of me building my own LIRC device ... and I read that channel changes are very delayed ...
#3) IF I were to get HDTV (I don't think I will any time soon, since comcast only offers 8 channels in HD, and i'm not a sports fan) How would that work with my HTPC? Explain this to me like I'm a newborn babe, with much detail from every aspect as possible ... such as connections ... recording ... etc ...
Please post any comments, suggestions, pointers, or anything