DVR capabilities of system build-advice needed

[robistro]

Hello all,
I am in the process of selecting parts for my first HTPC build. I am wanting to be able to DVR my Time Warner digital cable, and to be able to DVR one channel while watching another.

Below are my concerns....

1. Is this motherboard/cpu setup capable to achieve what I am wanting to do? http://pcpartpicker.com/p/2ICa
2. Do I need to add a separate video card for HD tv to the motherboard?
3. Is this separate external box ok? http://www.amazon.com/Hauppauge-WinTV-DCR-2650-Tuner-Cable/dp/B005FPT38A

Any and all advice, suggestions is appreciated!

Thanks

 

[iceclock]

hey wolf do u think any of my last builds are good?

 

[robistro]

@robistro - I took a look at your build and there were three things that I didn't care for:

1) CPU - You went with older tech AMD FM1 Llano vs. AMD FM2 Trinity. Trinity has the better graphics. Probably not that much of a deal, but for only a few dollars more, go AMD Trinity.
2) Motherboard - This is probably the biggest issue. You upped your cost by at least $40, by going with a Mini-ITX motherboard. Go with a MicroATX board and save money (if not space).
3) Case w/Power Supply - While you're not really pushing the power supply with this build, I would definitely prefer to go with a case where I know the power supply (even if purchased separately) comes from a reliable company. The last think you want to happen is getting your build put together and the power supply fails, taking out your other components as well. Yes, it will cost you more, but if the unknown power supply takes out your other components, it just cost you everything.

-Wolf sends

Any suggestions for a mb and cpu on this build our friend Ice put together? http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xL1L He already changed out my crappy powersupply.

Thanks guys !

 

[robistro]

I have been running Windows Media Center on a Dual-Core Intel (6 year old box), using a SiliconDust HDHomerun Prime Cable Card Tuner with Timer Warner Cable - 4GB RAM. All works great - can watch/record up to 3 HD Programs at once - and have an XBox360 as an extender.

The only drawbacks I have noticed - hard drive speeds when 3 HD programs are in use at the same time. SATA III drives are the way to go. With only 2 tuners you should be ok with SATA II.

Avoid Windows 8 and digital cable cards - the forums are full of pixelation issues, problems with the tuners being found, etc....

Happauge, Ceton and SiliconDust are the only tuners to use....they all perform well. Each has the strengths/weaknesses, but you can't go wrong with them.

If you are only using this for HTPC, and no extenders are used, 4GB RAM may save you a little money - even with 1 XBox360 connected - 4GB is plenty for my system.

Make sure to only use Microsoft Security Essentials - the other anti-virus/anti-malware/firewall programs create a bit of havoc with the tuners.

Last item - Time Warner Cable requires you to get a cable card AND a switched video converter in 99% of their markets....they are familiar with the term "TiVo Adapter" (ask for it that way), and when you call for activation, you may need to use the same terms....TWC support for cable card tuners is very lacking....it took 5 support calls to finally get it fully working - and I told them I was just "hooking up my TiVo box....no mention of cable card tuners....

THANKS much for the advice Ronin....thats good info

 

[ronintexas]

THANKS much for the advice Ronin....thats good info

Thank you - I hope it saves you hours of support calls, searching through forums, etc....

I am a highly technical person - and you would think these setups are "plug and play"....very few places to get information. I purchased SiliconDust, but through searching the Hauppauge, Ceton and SiliconDust forums, I have found many good tips. There aren't many good WMC websites/forums that are up to date...

It took about 2 months of struggling to get the system working perfectly....but TWC now has my 2 cable boxes, and I have $60 per month in my pocket. In less than a year, the computer, digital tuner and XBox360 are paid for....

 

[robistro]

Thank you - I hope it saves you hours of support calls, searching through forums, etc....

I am a highly technical person - and you would think these setups are "plug and play"....very few places to get information. I purchased SiliconDust, but through searching the Hauppauge, Ceton and SiliconDust forums, I have found many good tips. There aren't many good WMC websites/forums that are up to date...

It took about 2 months of struggling to get the system working perfectly....but TWC now has my 2 cable boxes, and I have $60 per month in my pocket. In less than a year, the computer, digital tuner and XBox360 are paid for....

Thats exactly what I'm working toward....any tip or info you could forward me about WMC setup..etc? or when I finally get around to building hopefully I could look you up for some assistance?

 

[iceclock]

what else u need in the build i made rob?

 

[robistro]

hey wolf do u think any of my last builds are good?

Hey, thanks for your last build and looking up info....wolf doesnt like my cpu/motherboard setup. Can you find me a more sufficient setup? I'm sure you saw his post.... thanks again your awesome!

 

[ronintexas]

You can send me a private message with questions, will try to help out if I can. Link is on my profile to send.

 

[robistro]

You can send me a private message with questions, will try to help out if I can. Link is on my profile to send.

Hey Ronin, what type of remote are you using? can you suggest any for me?

 

[iceclock]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xLFW
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xLFW/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xLFW/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 631 2.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($64.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock A75M-ITX Mini ITX FM1 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($38.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone PS08B (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $441.81
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-15 15:47 EST-0500)

 

[robistro]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xLFW
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xLFW/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xLFW/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD Athlon II X4 631 2.6GHz Quad-Core Processor ($64.99 @ SuperBiiz)
Motherboard: ASRock A75M-ITX Mini ITX FM1 Motherboard ($89.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($38.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone PS08B (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $441.81
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-15 15:47 EST-0500)

man Ice! your really bustin out the builds! lol Hey, wolf suggested a AMD FM2 cpu and a compatible 'Micro' ATX motherboard to keep my costs down... You already fixed my power supply. which by the way I had no idea it was junk. Thanks!!! and thanks for keeping touch with your expertise.

 

[iceclock]

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xLMG
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xLMG/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xLMG/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A4-5300 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($54.99 @ Newegg)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75 Pro4-M Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($81.97 @ Newegg)
Memory: Corsair XMS3 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1333 Memory ($38.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Case: Silverstone PS08B (Black) MicroATX Mid Tower Case ($34.90 @ Amazon)
Power Supply: XFX ProSeries 450W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V / EPS12V Power Supply ($34.99 @ NCIX US)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Total: $413.79
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-15 15:58 EST-0500)

 

[Wolfshadw]

Sorry guys. Stepped away for a bit.

IceClock - I really liked this build you made: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xKOV
RoninTexas - Head over to The Green Button for current Windows Media Center and CableCard/TV Tuner information.
Robistro - I'm just using an old Microsoft Media Center Remote Control. This Hauppauge Media Center Remote Control should work perfectly for you, or if you already have a Logitech Harmony Remote, you could program that for controlling your HTPC.

-Wolf sends

 

[ronintexas]

Hey Ronin, what type of remote are you using? can you suggest any for me?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880101002

This is very similar to the one I have. The PC I am running is actually a HTPC designed by HP in 2006....I have replaced the tuner card that came with it, but the remote is almost identical.

Some people swear by the Logitech Harmony Remotes like this one:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=9SIA0FU0CW4227

I didn't think it was worth the price....I turn the TV on with the TV remote, and then put it away and use the WMC remote...

 

[ronintexas]

Sorry guys. Stepped away for a bit.

IceClock - I really liked this build you made: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xKOV
RoninTexas - Head over to The Green Button for current Windows Media Center and CableCard/TV Tuner information.
Robistro - I'm just using an old Microsoft Media Center Remote Control. This Hauppauge Media Center Remote Control should work perfectly for you, or if you already have a Logitech Harmony Remote, you could program that for controlling your HTPC.

-Wolf sends

Thank you Wolf! I have some more reading to do!

 

[iceclock]

ok considering everything, i think this is the best one to go with:

PCPartPicker part list: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xKOV
Price breakdown by merchant: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xKOV/by_merchant/
Benchmarks: http://pcpartpicker.com/p/xKOV/benchmarks/

CPU: AMD A4-5300 3.4GHz Dual-Core Processor ($49.98 @ Outlet PC)
Motherboard: Asus F2A55-M/CSM Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($79.99 @ Newegg)
Memory: Kingston HyperX 8GB (2 x 4GB) DDR3-1600 Memory ($39.99 @ NCIX US)
Storage: Western Digital Caviar Blue 500GB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Case: nMEDIAPC HTPC 1080P HTPC Case ($66.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: Corsair CX 430W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($29.99 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Lite-On iHAS124-04 DVD/CD Writer ($22.98 @ Newegg)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Other: Hauppauge WinTV-DCR-2650 Dual Tuner Digital CableCARD Receiver ($99.99)
Total: $544.87
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-01-15 16:41 EST-0500)

 

[Wolfshadw]

Thumbs up! All looks good to me.

-Wolf sends

 

[iceclock]

coolio thanks for ur input, im no expert on pvr software and boxes, and addin card, been quite helpful mr.wolf

 

[ronintexas]

A second thumbs up! - Good luck with the build robistro - give me a shout if you have problems with TWC....I know I did.

 

[robistro]

BIG THANKS to Ronin,Iceclock, and Woflshadw! you guys ALL had very good information! I cant select a 'best answer' because they were all equally important! however a Icey did put a lot of effort into putting together build packages.
If I have any questions I'll look you guys up again. I'll start putting together the parts list and ordering as soon as I can. I'll let you all know when mission is completed. Thanks again peeps!

 

[iceclock]

well its recommanded to choose a best answer , witchever u choose, pick a random number out of ur head 1 to 3 ,

alright, if u required more help pm me

 

[ronintexas]

LOL - iceclock gets my vote....you put in a lot of time picking the hardware for him.

PS - iceclock - pm me for my paypal payment methods.... LOL.

 

[iceclock]

u funny free rounds of coolaid on me for everyone.

 

[Wolfshadw]

I'll take a double shot of grape on the rocks!

-Wolf sends

 

[iceclock]

actually, sounds gound, ill bring the ice, u bring grapes, and ronin brings rocks