HTPC running Windows Home Server questions

[Cyn]

Hey everyone! I want to built an HTPC for my father in law. I intend this to be a combination Windows Home Server (WHS) and HTPC/media storage box that he can access from anywhere.

Newegg HTPC wishlist

I want to make this thing quiet, and stay on 24/7 for server capabilities. I'm thinking a 2.6GHz AMD 45w CPU, running on a Gigabyte 780g board with a Radeon 3200 IGP. I plan to use the 3200 for Blu-Ray playback, which seems to be a fine solution instead of purchasing a separate GPU according to reviews I've read (zero gaming intended). All powered by an Antec 430 Earthwatt PSU.

I want the burner to be Blu-ray, so he can copy all his current media, and SD DVDs to his 1TB hard drive, and have WHS set to backup on a nightly basis to a 2nd drive. This would also backup business/work documents he would upload daily.

The part I'm unsure of for one is a TV Tuner. I have no experience with them myself, but would love for him to be able to run his Charter HDTV box into the a dual-tuner, and use the remote desktop features of WHS and a software application like SageTV or BeyondTV so he can setup last minute recordings, and have them stored in a shared folder to download when away from home at any time. Does this sound feasible? Any thoughts for this particular aspect or what tuner to buy for this type of application? His TV is a Pioneer Elite 50" Plasma (720p, but soon to be 1080p).

Also has anyone tried to use WHS as a HTPC like this before? I plan to use Slysoft AnyDVD HD for the Blu-ray backups, and ArcSoft TotalMedia Theatre for the Blu-ray/DVD playback.

Also beyond a wireless mouse, is there a IR blaster/remote that can double as a mouse, so I can eliminate the need for a mouse? No need for a keyboard for this setup for daily use, so a remote for TV and Blu-Ray playback would be ideal for Play/Pause, and general PC navigation doubling as a mouse.

TL;DR

1. HDTV TV Tuner recommendations for WHS that can be used in remote desktop to record last minute programs? (With BeyondTV or SageTV type programs).

2. Anyone used WHS for an HTPC before for Blu-ray playback, etc?

3. Any sort of mouse replacement, using an IR Blaster/remote instead, so I can Play/Pause and navigate the PC with the same device? Maybe a Logitech Harmony type remote?

Thanks for reading!

 

[erwos]

1. HDHomeRun, or, for the really adventurous, Hauppauge HD-PVRs and STBs.

As for the rest of it, I'd seriously consider just buying a SageTV extender, Popcorn Hour A-110, or similar device. WHS is not designed to be an OS for media playback.

 

[mc866]

Originally posted by: erwos
As for the rest of it, I'd seriously consider just buying a SageTV extender, Popcorn Hour A-110, or similar device. WHS is not designed to be an OS for media playback.

This, WHS wasn't made for playback in mind really, it's main use is to hold the data to stream to your front end devices. If you don't have any HD content you could possibly look into an original xbox running xbmc for cheap, that or a reasonably priced Atom based build as a front end HTPC.

 

[Cyn]

Hey everyone, thanks for the feedback. The SageTV Extender is pretty nice, only problem is I really want to be able to use HDTV recording, so I am stuck with the Hauppauge HD-PVR.

I think I have two boxes made up, one for WHS and media storage, and the 2nd for all the Blu-Ray playback and HTPC necessities, to be connected via gigabit switch for fast transferring.

Home Media Server

D-Link DGS-2205 10/100/1000Mbps 5-Port Green Technology Desktop Switch
AMD Sempron LE-1200 Sparta 2.1GHz Socket AM2 45W Single-Core Processor
ASRock N68PV-GS AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 7050 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
OCZ SLI-Ready 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit
2x Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
Foxconn DH839-MT300K Black Steel MicroATX Desktop Computer Case 300W Power Supply
Microsoft Windows Home Server 32 Bit 1 Pack - OEM

HTPC - Light Edition

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5050e Brisbane 2.6GHz Socket AM2 45W Dual-Core Processor Model
GIGABYTE GA-MA78GM-US2H AM2+/AM2 AMD 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard
CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit
Western Digital Caviar SE16 WD3200AAKS 320GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive
LG Black 6X Blu-ray Disc Burner & HD DVD-ROM Drive SATA Model
APEVIA Black SECC Steel / Aluminum X-MASTER-BK/500 ATX Media Center / HTPC Case


I would network the whole thing together, and run the Hauppauge HD-PVR into the HTPC, and have the data backed up to the media server. The HTPC would run Windows Vista Home Premium 32-bit and would just stream all the content from the Server (backed up Blu-ray/DVDs, as well as stored recorded HDTV shows, music, home videos and photos).

Sound better? All for around the same $1000 budget too! (minus the $200 for PVR)

 

[erwos]

That could work. I'd be a little concerned about noise from the HTPC portion, but if you're cool with it, it'll work (probably).

The SageTV extender isn't for recording, it's for streaming. It would take the place of your HTPC. I also don't see why you're trying to run SageTV on the HTPC - just run it on the WHS box, it supports that natively, and extend it to a SageTV extender.

Finally, the HD-PVR isn't a dual tuner, so you need two of them (and two STBs).

 

[Cyn]

I see what you mean Erwos. I wasn't necessarily planning for SageTV, but it was recommended on the AVS Forums that for simplicities sake I try SageTV HD Extender, with a Hauppauge HD-PVR for high-def recording all running off/through WHS. I do see it as being easier and more streamlined, I'm just not sure I can visualize how it all works. Let me get this straight:

WHS storing everything, and running SageTV Media Center software. The Hauppauge PVR receives its signal from the Charter STB via component input, then outputs the data via USB to WHS for storage. The SageTV HD Extender is then hooked up to WHS via an ethernet cable, which then outputs to the plasma via HDMI providing both audio/video signals?

And the SageTV HD Extender is capable of displaying any stored media from the WHS, including DVDs, Blu-rays, music, photos, stored recorded HDTV? All controllable by the included remote? Sounds amazing if it is that simple..

In regards to the dual tuner, if I only have one HD-PVR, can I record one show and watch another at the same time, or would that require a dual tuner setup (2x PVRs)? I don't need to be able to record two shows at once if that is all a dual-tuner is needed for.

EDIT: Also if I install a Blu-ray burner to WHS, would it be capable of playing straight from disc through the HD-Extender without burning it to the hard drive first?

 

[Cyn]

Bump