Hi guys, I'm new to this forum... and to HT in general.
Here is what I already have:
- 28" XBR Sony with one S-Video and 2 composite inputs (and small sub that came with the TV)
- Digital cable set-top box (connected through S-Video)
- 2 VHS Hi-Fi VCRs (connected through composite video)
- Denon stereo amp with AM/FM tuner
- Denon 5-CD player
- 2 speakers
- Cable high-speed internet access
As you can see, it's a typical stereo setup without DVD player. I don't plan on upgrading the TV or the sound system in the next 24 months. When I do, it will be for a HD setup for sure.
Around September timeframe, I would like to add an HTPC that will do the following:
- Play DVD
- Record programs from both the digital and analog cable (simultaneously?)
- Play games (Tomb Raider, Indiana Jones...)
- Record one or two programs while I play or watch a DVD/pre-recorded file
- Picture-in-picture of the various inputs would be nice
My choices are:
- PC that does all of that
- X-Box or PS2 to play games and DVD and continue using my VCR for recording.
Here are the questions:
- If I go the PC route, do I need a separate one capture/tuner PCI card per video input and an AGP 3D card for gaming and display or are the ATI AIW cards enough?
- Which OS? Win 2000 or XP?
- What about the sound card?
- Does this sound right: 2GHz P4, 512M RAM, Asus MB, 120G HD, DVD-ROM, sound card, quiet case
- Having 2 VCRs and the set-top box, I got used to the fact that I can use all of them simultaneously. Is it the same with an HTPC?
- What about price? Is this overkill for a 13-year old TV that works great? Would I be better with an X-Box/PS2?
Thanks for killing a couple of brain cells on this one.
Mario
Here is what I already have:
- 28" XBR Sony with one S-Video and 2 composite inputs (and small sub that came with the TV)
- Digital cable set-top box (connected through S-Video)
- 2 VHS Hi-Fi VCRs (connected through composite video)
- Denon stereo amp with AM/FM tuner
- Denon 5-CD player
- 2 speakers
- Cable high-speed internet access
As you can see, it's a typical stereo setup without DVD player. I don't plan on upgrading the TV or the sound system in the next 24 months. When I do, it will be for a HD setup for sure.
Around September timeframe, I would like to add an HTPC that will do the following:
- Play DVD
- Record programs from both the digital and analog cable (simultaneously?)
- Play games (Tomb Raider, Indiana Jones...)
- Record one or two programs while I play or watch a DVD/pre-recorded file
- Picture-in-picture of the various inputs would be nice
My choices are:
- PC that does all of that
- X-Box or PS2 to play games and DVD and continue using my VCR for recording.
Here are the questions:
- If I go the PC route, do I need a separate one capture/tuner PCI card per video input and an AGP 3D card for gaming and display or are the ATI AIW cards enough?
- Which OS? Win 2000 or XP?
- What about the sound card?
- Does this sound right: 2GHz P4, 512M RAM, Asus MB, 120G HD, DVD-ROM, sound card, quiet case
- Having 2 VCRs and the set-top box, I got used to the fact that I can use all of them simultaneously. Is it the same with an HTPC?
- What about price? Is this overkill for a 13-year old TV that works great? Would I be better with an X-Box/PS2?
Thanks for killing a couple of brain cells on this one.
Mario