First steps on the journey...

[dmjerbear]

Been reading the forums and other websites to get as much info as possible before I post dumb questions 

What I want to build is a PVR that allows me to schedule, record and possibly burn TV shows, as well as play my ripped DVD's and mp3's.

I'll limit myself to two questions for now:

1)  How does a program like GB-PVR interface with a satellite box?  Is this where the graphics/tv tuner card come in?  I currently use an ADS DX2 (http://www.adstech.com/products/USBAV-709-EF/intro/USBAV-709_intro.asp?pid=USBAV-709-EF) to record and burn TV shows - would this work (and give good quality) with GB-PVR, or do I need to buy a tuner card?

2) We have Dish Network.  From what I've read, this means you can only record and watch one show at a time (due to encryption).  Does this mean that a card like the HAUPPAUGE HVR-1600 would be overkill since it has two tuners?  Is there a similar but cheaper card with only one tuner?

Thanks in advance! 

[Miller]

You're right about the one show at a time thing with your box. It's also true with cable boxes.

GBPVR interfaces with your box using either a seriel cable (old school way, not used much anymore) or with a IR blaster. An IR blaster acts like a STB remote for your computer and allows GBPVR (or any good pvr program) to control your STB just like it had a remote control. This means while you are gone, the program will change the STB to the correct channel so that you record the correct show.

The video card on your computer just outputs video to whatever source you have it hooked up to. You'll need this to watch your recordings. A tuner card captures tv signals and records them onto your hard drive. You'll need a tuner to record a show.

The hvr1600 is overkill, but the 2 tuners on it are not the same. It has one analog tuner and one digital tuner so that way you're covered no matter what kind of tv signal you get. It's also usually cheaper than the older options that only have 1 tuner (like the pvr150). Make sure you get the retail version that comes with the remote and the IR blaster/receiver you'll need to control your STB.

[dmjerbear]

Next two questions:

1) Would the Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 be an alternative to the 1600?  Pros/cons?

2)  What are the options for sound output?  Since I'm also going to use this PVR to play ripped DVD's, are there cards with coaxial/optical sound outputs to go to my receiver?

[Miller]

The hvr1600 is a pvr150 with a digital tuner added to it. The con of the 150 is the lack of the digital tuner which will be more important as time goes on. Usually the hvr1600 is cheaper too (if you're buying new).

Lots of soundcards and motherboards have digital outputs for sound. Just look and see. Since you're just using the output as a passthrough to your receiver you don't need anything fancy. Cheap should be fine.

[dmjerbear]

First off, thanks so much for all the help so far.

Been spending way too much time looking for the perfect setup - no luck so far    But was wondering if this sound card will work:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=280211541552&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=018#ebayphotohosting

The S/PDIF passthrough is exactly right, I just wasn't sure if everything else on the card checks out.

[Miller]

Probably, but I would contact them and see who the manufacturer is and then we could look up it's product specs to make sure.

[dmjerbear]

Missed the auction, but I'm watching a few more    Turtle Beach Riviera is one.

Next question - I'm looking at the Dell Outlet for a PC.  I'm thinking that since I'll probably be adding a video, sound, and tuner card, I should try to get an inexpensive system.  Thing is, the Inspiron series only have a 300W power supply.  So upon further reading on this site, it looks like a passively cooled card will be necessary.  Anything minimum requirements I should look for in a video card?

BTW, system is AMD Athlon 64 X2 Dual-Core 4000+ (2.10GHZ), 2GB RAM, 320GB HD, DVD/RW, Vista.  Free slots: PCI: 2 Slots, PCIe x1: 1 Slot, PCIe x16 : 1 Slot.  Sound like a good PVR system?

[Miller]

If you're looking to add parts to an basic system, then that looks fine. Anything dual-core, 1-2 GB of RAM (prefer 2), XP (or Vista if you have to), and lots of hard drive space should work. For added parts, you want at least an nVidia 7xxx card if you're going HD and personally I would go with an 8xxx card or an ATI 3xxx card. Passively cooled is nice, but it's just for sound, not video-quality.

I would also look at ubid.com. I got a good deal there last week for some friends who's computer bit the dust. I little better specs than what you posted for ~$180.

[dmjerbear]

Not sure I'm understanding you.

By passively cooled, I meant the video card itself.  That seems to be the only way to get a decent card that doesn't need over the 300 watts this computer's power supply has.  Otherwise, is it hard to replace the power supply?

Did the computer you get have an OS on it?  Most of the sub-$250 PC's I see on ubid.com don't have an OS.

[Miller]

Yea, it had Vista on it. Not my first choice, but it was ok. I got one like this one:

http://www.ubid.com/Gateway_GT5432_AMD_Athlon_64_X2_5000%2b_2.6GHz_(Dual-Core)%2c_1GB_!!/a802239295.html

Not the same price, but it's an auction right. You just wait for what you want...

As for the card, there are lots of videocards that are not passively cooled that don't take a huge amount of power. The passively cooled version of the same card actually costs more most of the time.

[dmjerbear]

Think I found a system that will work well:

http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&rd=1&item=140220609170&ssPageName=STRK:MEWA:IT&ih=004

A bit more than the great deal you got, but it also has S/PDIF output as well as DVI and S-Video.  What do you think?

Also, are there two versions of the HVR-1600?  I thought I had read of someone's troubles getting a MCE version to work with GBPVR?  Just wanted to be sure before I bought one.

[Miller]

That system looks fine. The person I was buying for was only using the computer for basics (email, surfing, etc) and didn't have very intensive needs. Yours should also be ok for an HTPC except for one minor thing. It might need better video. What I would do is get that one and test it out with that onboard video and see how it lookds for video playback. If it's shaky you could always add a nice videocard for <$100. Other than video, I would think everything else about it should be fine.

As for the hvr1600, I think there's only one version, but sometimes companies open box them and package them differently. I think the post you were referring to the guy actually got it from a friend. If you buy the retail version of the hvr1600 though you should get the card, a remote, and an IR blaster/receiver. If you did get a different bundle, the card should still work fine. It's just the remote and IR blaster/receiver that can be picky.

[dmjerbear]

Time for my daily post 

Bidding on a different system - similar to the first, but has an M780 tuner card and an NVIDIA GeForce 7600GS 256MB video card.  So it's a bit more expensive, but I won't have to add anything right away.  Read over at the GBPVR forum that the M780 and its remote are supported, so I should be OK there.

So cross your fingers and we'll see what this one goes for!

[Miller]

The M780 is AverTV's version of the hvr1800. It should be fine. The 7600 should handle your needs as well. Good luck!!

[dmjerbear]

Well, we won the auction.  Spent a bit more than I wanted to, but it was still a good deal    Here's the specs:

http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/R/1009440/1009440sp2.shtml

So my next question is: what should I do while I wait the week or so until this gets here to play with?     Should I intall GBPVR onto a computer and putz around with it?  Rip some DVD's?  (Gasp)  Read some manuals?