NotebookForums.com › Forums › Off Topic › Desktop and Hardware Discussion › How to make a HTPC?
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

How to make a HTPC?

post #1 of 15
5/26/06 at 5:53pm
Thread Starter 
I am thinking of turning my desktop into a Home Theater PC.
No idea how to start it and what I need to get/use.

This is my current desktop config:

P4S8X MB
Intel P4 2.4B 533FSB
1.7GB PC2700 DDR RAM
ATI X850XT 256mb
120 GB Seagate HDD
Thermaltake 420W PSU
Xaser II A5000 Case
CL Audigy1 Gamer
ViewSonic VA1912wb Black 19" LCD Monitor
Logitech G15/G7/Z5500


This is what I ahve in my livingroom:

TV
DVD/VCR Combo
Logitech Z5500 5.1 THX Speakers
Cablevision Cable TV Box



I just got the Windows XP MCE 2005 w/ UR2 - OEM and about to install it in my desktop with a fresh install.

Question is:

Do I just need a TV Tuner so I can copy some of the TV Shows in my PC and later play it back in my TV?
or do I need other components so I can have the Cable TV go from my PC back to my TV?
Also, how do I make my music and other media in my PC go to my TV/DVD?



I already figured out how to make the sound go from my PC to my Logitech Z-5500 speakers.
I guess the main issue now is how to make the Video media to go from my PC to my TV.
Reply
Reply
post #2 of 15
5/26/06 at 8:05pm
what exactly are you hoping to do on your HTPC? Use it as a DVR to watch tv and record it?
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 15
5/26/06 at 8:22pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by mr. roboto
what exactly are you hoping to do on your HTPC? Use it as a DVR to watch tv and record it?
I really just want to be able to record & watch some Cable TV, play Music, Videos and various media from my PC thru my TV and Speakers via remote on my couch

So in short, ya.
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 15
5/26/06 at 9:15pm
well, all you really need then is a TV tuner card, but make sure it's compatible with MCE 2005. I'd reccoment a hauppage tuner, most are compatible.

Also, your video card probably has VIVO, so you can connect it to your tv via svideo or component. If not, therer should at least be a s-video jack on your card.

also, what kind of tv do you have? If it's not HD, don't expect much in terms of resolution. You will be lucky to get away with 800 x 600.

to answer your questions, the cable will go right into your computer. If you have a cable box, you will need an IR blaster to hook up onto it. Oh yeah, you will probably want the MCE remote, most come with IR blasters.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16880100853


before i go into detail about the IR blasters, do you need a cable box to see cable tv?
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 15
5/26/06 at 9:27pm
Thread Starter 
ya I was planning to get the Hauppauge WinTV-PVR 500 MCE White box PCI Interface Tuner Card - Retail at Newegg for $144.99 + 5.46 S/H.
I have a ATI X850XT 256mb AGP, just not sure if its VIVO or note.
I have a feeling it isn't VIVO but I am more than positive that it has an S-video output.
I think My TV has a S-Video output also.

I already bought the following also and it is in my apartment now:
Microsoft A9O-00018 WinXP Media Center Infrared Remote Control w/ Receiver - OEM

Microsoft Windows XP Media Center Edition 2005 w/Update Rollup Release 2 OEM 1 Pack - OEM As for the TV.
At this time I do not have a HDTV.

As for the Cable TV.
I can watch some channels without the Cable Box.
But using the Cable Box, I can watch all the channels I am supplied with.
My Cable TV provider is Cablevision if that helps.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 15
5/26/06 at 9:36pm
So you want to make your computer into an HTPC. That shouldn't be too much of a problem. The easiest way to do this is to:

1. Uninstall Windows MCE it's lame it's stupid and just don't use it.
2. Install Windows XP Pro. Buy it OEM from Newegg or ... just get it ... and install it.
3. Buy a Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 (this will work with MCE in case you didn't want to listen to step 1 and 2)
4. Buy Snapstream BeyondTV (Buy them as a bundle. Save some money. And right now they're giving away a free Firefly remote to go with the system. Totally sweet deal!)
http://store.snapstream.com/btv-pvr150.html
This setup comes with the stuff you need for a cable box too...
5. Listen to Mr. Roboto about your TV. If it's not HD. Don't expect much. It's works just as good, if not better than regular TV. Hook up your computer to your TV via s-video. If you have an HDTV hook up your computer via HDMI or DVI or even COMPONENT. I would recommend the first two. Oh and if you do have an HDTV substitute the Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 for an HDTV Capture card. Right now there is no way to capture HDTV off of cable very well, just OTA stuff. Buy both if you've got the money. =)
6. Follow the directions...and use BeyondTV it works really really well.

Tips : Don't cheap out on the capture card. I went through three cheapies before buying the Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150. It's a little pricey compared to those off brand ones, but it's one of the only ones with a hardware MPEG encoder, which pulls a ton of load off of your PC. The other option is the external Plextor one with the hardware divx encoder...*drool*

BONUS!! : The Firefly Remote that comes in the bundle comes bundled with a lite version of Beyond Media, which allows you to watch other shows you might have gotten...err...downloaded, sift through your photos and music, and much more. SWEET BONUS! =)
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 15
5/26/06 at 9:46pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks a ton.

I can pretty much record 1 show while watching another with the Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150?
Or will I require the Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-500 to be able to watch 1 show while recording another?

Also I notice a USB version of the Hauppauge.
Is the USB version better or the PCI version better?

Also, do I really need the BeyondTV Software, or any other software like it?
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 15
5/26/06 at 10:00pm
well imo i would get a 21' screen but 19' will do.
a usb tv tuner or internal ( whichever you perfer) and you got it rollin
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 15
5/26/06 at 10:11pm
Thread Starter 
I have a 32" CRT TV at home we use in the Livingroom.
10' away is my desk w/ my desktop that has a 19" LCD Monitor that I will use as the main PC for my home network and as the HTPC hub.

Plan is to use my TV as the main Screen for viewing until I can upgrade it later on.

I will more than likely just use my new laptop that will arrive in a week as my system for gaming and other PC uses.
I was even debating on getting the BeyondTV Link software so I can even use my Laptop as another TV in my Bedroom ...

Also as a future note.
You say that if and when I get a HDTV I will NEED to get a new TV Tuner?
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 15
5/26/06 at 10:16pm
you don't need beyound TV. MCE 2005 is more than adequate for what you want to do.

and yes, wit that tuner you got, you can record one show while watching another, since it's a dual tuner. Keep in mind, you you need the cable box to wach each ot the 2 shows, you will need 2 boxes. This isn't a problem, since that remote comes with 2 IR balsters, assuming you wan to pay for 2 cable boxes. If not, you can just havethe cable box on one input.

In case you are wondering what the IR blaster is, it attaches to you cable box to when you hit the + on your computer remote or keyboard, it will change the chanel on the box for you rather that using the box's remote. this might not sound like it matters, but its helpful for if you set your computer to record a show. This way, the computer has the ability to change the chanel when the recording needs to start.

Feel free to shoot any more questions, i've built 4 or 5 of these for clients, and own one for myself.
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 15
5/26/06 at 10:18pm
and yes, you need an HD tuner to watch HDTV.
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 15
5/26/06 at 10:25pm
Thread Starter 
Ok, I think I am getting it now.

At this time I only want 1 Cable box.

So what I will need to do is split the cable so I can have 1 unboxed cable TV and 1 boxed cable TV for the 2 TV Tuners?

I did notice a USB Port in my cable box if that helps.

I may just get the BeyondTV Bundle that has the Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-500 because it is just a good deal.
I can buy the same TV-Tuner + a XP MCE Remote for the same price of the bundle.
So its just a no-brainer that the BeyondTV Bundle is a good combo for the price.

I hope I got it right from what you are saying.
I just am about to order the BeyondTV bundle that has the Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-500 + Firefly remote for $199.99 w/ FREE Shipping


I guess you guys can tell me some more finer pointers until I get it shipped to me next week.
Then I will probably post again asking for more pointers or state that I actually did it right lol.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 15
5/26/06 at 10:30pm
yes, you need to split the cable exactly like you said.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 15
5/27/06 at 3:11pm
Yes...you'll need to split tha cable.

It's very true that this setup will work just fine with MCE. I'm just not a fan of it personally and... I've been using BeyondTV for about 8 months now. I have two WINTV-PVR150's and 1 ATI HDTV WONDER. Beyond TV is your only good option for controlling more than 1 TV tuner in a setup. It's great, easy to setup...straight forward...I just like it. SageTV works too, but they're more expensive, and you're not getting much more out of it. I've heard that MCE will only allow you to record with one card, and watch with another, but not multiple shows at the same time. The PVR-500 is an execent choice. Good luck. I remember getting into the HTPC world was a bit of a stress out for me. Trying to figure out what to buy, worried that it just wouldn't work...and just a bunch of random crap. So...good luck...
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 15
5/28/06 at 12:13am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by darknebulous
Yes...you'll need to split tha cable. It's very true that this setup will work just fine with MCE. I'm just not a fan of it personally and... I've been using BeyondTV for about 8 months now. I have two WINTV-PVR150's and 1 ATI HDTV WONDER. Beyond TV is your only good option for controlling more than 1 TV tuner in a setup. It's great, easy to setup...straight forward...I just like it. SageTV works too, but they're more expensive, and you're not getting much more out of it. I've heard that MCE will only allow you to record with one card, and watch with another, but not multiple shows at the same time. The PVR-500 is an execent choice. Good luck. I remember getting into the HTPC world was a bit of a stress out for me. Trying to figure out what to buy, worried that it just wouldn't work...and just a bunch of random crap. So...good luck...
Ya I understand. That is why I am asking questions for this project prior to buying the parts and stuff I should have everything shipped to me and installed soemtime next week I actually finished installing XP MCE on my desktop via fresh install. I somehow liek it better than XP Home. I have XP Pro on my workstation at work and do not really notice much of a performance increase from XP Home vs XP Pro. And its funny that my desktop states I am using XP Pro even though I am using XP MCE 2005. Ya I know, XP MCE is XP Pro with certain features removed but can be added with a hack or so. Not gonna bother with it as the main thing missing from XP MCE vs XP Pro I hear is the Domain thing and I do not need to worry about that.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Desktop and Hardware Discussion
NotebookForums.com › Forums › Off Topic › Desktop and Hardware Discussion › How to make a HTPC?