Can someone give me the basics for creating my own HTPC?

Discussion in 'Home Theater PC' started by jam4, May 9, 2004.

  1. jam4

    jam4 Member

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    I've thought about purchasing a TiVO or replayTV, but my pet peev is that they charge for monthly service AND you can't output the data for recording onto DVD's. I figure I could make my own computer for the cost of the ready to go Pioneer DVR with DVD's which range from $1200-1800. Has anyone done this with enough advice to get me started? I figure a Radeon all-in-wonder card would be the most expensive piece but I don't want to buy a better card than I need since I don't want advanced gaming capabilities, etc... My other question is that I understand TiVO and replayTV need a separate phone jack connection to get the program listings? With a computer you apparently don't need this, but are the listings available online cohesive with different cable companies in different regions? Lastly, can I build a system that lets me take advantage of HDTV broadcasts when available?

    Thanks in advance!
     
  2. Damon1

    Damon1 Regular member

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    This is one of the best sites around for HTPC's:

    http://www.htpcnews.com/

    Plus I am currently working on a howto build a HTPC guide for the Afterdawn Guides, but it will be more Aussie centric. Unfortunetly it won't be finished till my own HTPC is and that will be a little while away.

    Cheers.

    P.S. HDTV is definitly possible, but if you don't want to drop too many frames you'll need some grunt like a P4 2.8, 512 ram and a hardware decoding Mpeg2 video card would be good too
     
  3. damo_red

    damo_red Member

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    hi all
    ive finally managed to get my graphics card to work with tv out via a s video connection. how ever it is only black and white. i have no idea why.

    Damon1 u seem to have plenty of knowledge in this area could u please tell me y or any 1 infact.

    thanks damo
     
  4. michigan

    michigan Guest

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