HTPC Question/Challenge

[Skoodog]

Ok, so TiVo is running a deal for a $50 box (40-hour) w/ pre-paid year ($155) = $205 for a one-year PVR.

Can I build a decent HTPC rig for $205 abouts? I already have a Hauppauge PVR-250 (non-MCE) w/ remote, a wifi PCI card (yeah, no PCI-E boards plz) and an old Geforce4 ti-4200 I can use (although buying something onboard would probably work better, I'm guessing). If a stick of 512MB PC2700 ram is going to be enough to do decent encoding, I have that too. I plan to use this PC solely for PVR, and i plan to use GB-PVR for all software stuff - I'm too "technically challenged" to mess with Linux. So basically I need:

mATX case
mATX mobo + CPU
RAM (if aforementioned stick won't cut it)
HD
Misc overhead (aka rounded IDE cables?)

(Optional but not necessary)
DVD burner?

Let me know if you have recommendations on these. Your help is appreciated!

 

[xanis]

The problem is, most HTPC cases are close to $115, and that would leave you only $90 for a CPU, Mobo, Hard Drive and optical drives. Not acceptable IMO. The TiVo might be your best bet here.

 

[Skoodog]

Originally posted by: Xanis
The problem is, most HTPC cases are close to $115...

A quick search of newegg showed me an Antec mATX case for $65. The newegg reviews of it say that it's a little crowded inside and heavy to boot. I'm also worried about noise so i'm checking silentpcreview for any reviews they have.

I guess i just want to know what i can get in this price range that will do the job. I've read 2.4 ghz is minimum for encoding, but other than that i'm kind of lost - especially brand-wise, bang for your buck, etc.

Thanks for the response.

 

[Matthias99]

Originally posted by: Skoodog

Originally posted by: Xanis
The problem is, most HTPC cases are close to $115...

A quick search of newegg showed me an Antec mATX case for $65. The newegg reviews of it say that it's a little crowded inside and heavy to boot. I'm also worried about noise so i'm checking silentpcreview for any reviews they have.

I guess i just want to know what i can get in this price range that will do the job. I've read 2.4 ghz is minimum for encoding, but other than that i'm kind of lost - especially brand-wise, bang for your buck, etc.

Thanks for the response.

With a hardware encoder like the PVR-250, any remotely modern CPU will be fine. You also don't need much RAM (I have 512MB in my HTPC, and it's not even close to being used when just watching/recording video).

However, the TiVo will be a lot simpler in terms of ease-of-use, their software/interface is very polished, and you'd be hard-pressed to put all that together for under $200 (especially if you also need a power supply). Unless you really want to do things like recording shows and then archiving them to DVD, or to also use it as a scaler for DVDs being played on an HDTV, it's not likely to be worth the time and effort.

 

[Finns14]

Hey you might wanna bump up ur price range to $350 cause tivo box at 50 and lifetime service is 300 and you will be having your Rig forever (or atleast as long as you would have a tivo) with that price in mind you have some more to work with.

 

[Skoodog]

Originally posted by: Finns14
Hey you might wanna bump up ur price range to $350 cause tivo box at 50 and lifetime service is 300 and you will be having your Rig forever (or atleast as long as you would have a tivo) with that price in mind you have some more to work with.

Good point! Another one is the upgrading space in an actual TiVo unit is (from what I've heard) fairly difficult.

K, bump it up to $350.

 

[Skoodog]

Originally posted by: Matthias99

Unless you really want to do things like recording shows and then archiving them to DVD, or to also use it as a scaler for DVDs being played on an HDTV, it's not likely to be worth the time and effort.

Another thing I wanted to do that I failed to mention was run Orb on this so I can watch shows when I'm out of town. Unless there's a hack way to do that on TiVo, that sounds a little difficult.

 

[Finns14]

Well I just picked up a tivo and setup was pretty easy what are u asking about by upgrading space. Putting in a larger HDD?

 

[Skoodog]

Originally posted by: Finns14
Well I just picked up a tivo and setup was pretty easy what are u asking about by upgrading space. Putting in a larger HDD?

Yes. Is that an easy process?

 

[Finns14]

Haven't gutted mine yet but now I kinda what to try hmm wonder if there is room for more than one HDD or if I can replace the stock HDD with lets say a giant WD or Segate HDD.


LOL I got this for my dad as a gift lets hope I don't ****** it up lol

 

[Skoodog]

Originally posted by: Finns14
Haven't gutted mine yet but now I kinda what to try hmm wonder if there is room for more than one HDD or if I can replace the stock HDD with lets say a giant WD or Segate HDD.


LOL I got this for my dad as a gift lets hope I don't ****** it up lol

Check this out. Seems like upgrading the TiVo drive is extensive - and limited to 274GB recording space. Yes, I know that's a lot, but i hate limits.

I'm still not 100% sold on TiVo being better for me than HTPC. The versatility and the other possibilities with an HTPC are far more tempting to me. Plus, the fun of building the thing in the first place...

 

[Finns14]

Yeah I agree but Tivo is pretty darn easy to use and its got tons of great features