I have this in the pub too, but figured it would go here fine:
Right now Im using a company laptop for my Amazon Unbox viewing, and am considering getting a new desktop for installation near the TV in the liv room. I like Dell, and they have some very slim media pc's I may look at.
I have some questions I hope you guys can answer:
1) When getting the pc, what type of tuner card should I get for recording OTA? Im thinking of keeping Directv but giving back the HR20 and using the HTPC for recording OTA HD programming, stuff like Sons of Anarchy I can catch off Unbox if I want too. Im guessing it may be best to buy something now that does 1080p.
2) What type of DVR software should I buy for the PC?
3) Is there a way to use a remote to control HTPC functions? Itll be connected via HDMI to my tv and Ill have it on wireless internet, so Id like to avoid a keyboard for the most part.
4) How much memory in the HTPC?
4) Any thoughts on using a HTPC to record OTA and playback as opposed to the HR20?
5) Any other input would be greatly appreciated.
Im thinking VOD like unbox/apple is the future, but I dont know much about setting up a HTPC. I know appletv is a good alternative for tv shows, but it wont work as a dvr and owning the HTPC allows me to do several diff things (VOD, OTA, DVR, etc...)
It will also allow me to get off the ext hdd of the HR20.
Thanks for the input.
$750
Just a quick tinkering on their site.
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Service Pack 1
Microsoft Works 9.0
1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
No Monitor
3GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz (4 DIMM)
320GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
ATI Radeon HD 3450 256MB supporting HDMI
Integrated Sound Blaster®Audigy™ HD Software Edition
Hauppauge HVR1250 hybrid TV Tuner with Remote Control
Logitech Cordless Desktop S 510 Keyboard and Mouse - Arctic Silver
Dell 19 in 1 Media Card Reader
No Modem Option
Internal PCI 802.11g Wireless Network Card
My Software & Accessories
WildTangent Games
No speaker Option
McAfee SecurityCenter with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 30-Days
My Service
Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year
Also Includes
Mouse included with Keyboard purchase
Windows Vista™ Premium
Right now Im using a company laptop for my Amazon Unbox viewing, and am considering getting a new desktop for installation near the TV in the liv room. I like Dell, and they have some very slim media pc's I may look at.
I have some questions I hope you guys can answer:
1) When getting the pc, what type of tuner card should I get for recording OTA? Im thinking of keeping Directv but giving back the HR20 and using the HTPC for recording OTA HD programming, stuff like Sons of Anarchy I can catch off Unbox if I want too. Im guessing it may be best to buy something now that does 1080p.
2) What type of DVR software should I buy for the PC?
3) Is there a way to use a remote to control HTPC functions? Itll be connected via HDMI to my tv and Ill have it on wireless internet, so Id like to avoid a keyboard for the most part.
4) How much memory in the HTPC?
4) Any thoughts on using a HTPC to record OTA and playback as opposed to the HR20?
5) Any other input would be greatly appreciated.
Im thinking VOD like unbox/apple is the future, but I dont know much about setting up a HTPC. I know appletv is a good alternative for tv shows, but it wont work as a dvr and owning the HTPC allows me to do several diff things (VOD, OTA, DVR, etc...)
It will also allow me to get off the ext hdd of the HR20.
Thanks for the input.
$750
Just a quick tinkering on their site.
Genuine Windows Vista® Home Premium Service Pack 1
Microsoft Works 9.0
1Yr Ltd Hardware Warranty, InHome Service after Remote Diagnosis
No Monitor
3GB Dual Channel DDR2 SDRAM at 800MHz (4 DIMM)
320GB Serial ATA Hard Drive (7200RPM) w/DataBurst Cache™
16X DVD+/-RW Drive
ATI Radeon HD 3450 256MB supporting HDMI
Integrated Sound Blaster®Audigy™ HD Software Edition
Hauppauge HVR1250 hybrid TV Tuner with Remote Control
Logitech Cordless Desktop S 510 Keyboard and Mouse - Arctic Silver
Dell 19 in 1 Media Card Reader
No Modem Option
Internal PCI 802.11g Wireless Network Card
My Software & Accessories
WildTangent Games
No speaker Option
McAfee SecurityCenter with anti-virus, anti-spyware, firewall, 30-Days
My Service
Dell Online Backup 2GB for 1 year
Also Includes
Mouse included with Keyboard purchase
Windows Vista™ Premium
