[SOLVED] HTPC OTA DVR - wife friendly

[captaindorky]

Hi everyone. Looking for some advice here. I have 'cut the cord', but the wife is not happy with the fact that we do not have a DVR for OTA programming. Thinking an HTPC build would work - but I want it to be 'wife-friendly'. I have some experience building a computer, but nothing like this

I will be building this from scratch.

Needs : OTA DVR capability. Wifi Capability for streaming amazon prime, netflix mlb.tv and other streaming video. Easy interface with a remote/mouse/keyboard (wife friendly)

Seems simple enough. Any thoughts?

 

[batuchka]

What sort of signal u pulling for OTA i.e DVB-T, ATSC, analog, etc? Also format
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

 

[captaindorky]

What sort of signal u pulling for OTA i.e DVB-T, ATSC, analog, etc? Also format
http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/261222-31-build-advice

Not certain how to determine signal type. I am able to pull in all major networks utilizing an amplified monoprice antenna.

Approximate Purchase Date: Now

Budget Range: 500ish

System Usage from Most to Least Important: DVR OTA signals, Streaming video.

Parts Not Required: Strating from scratch

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: newegg. amazon. any other reputable site.

Country: US

Parts Preferences: None.

Overclocking: No?

SLI or Crossfire: No?

Monitor Resolution: LCD 55" flat screen TV

Additional Comments: Quiet. Small form factor. Ease of use for the wife. DVR priority #1 with large storage capacity

 

[bodeen2012]

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

CPU: AMD A6-5400K 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75 Pro4-M Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($63.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus USB-N10 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($16.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: nMEDIAPC HTPC 1080P HTPC Case ($59.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 300W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($40.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Other: Hauppauge WinTV HVR-1250 Hybrid TV Tuner w/ Video Recorder PCI-E x 1 ($64.99)
Total: $546.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-09 11:17 EDT-0400)

 

[captaindorky]

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

CPU: AMD A6-5400K 3.6GHz Dual-Core Processor ($64.99 @ Amazon)
Motherboard: ASRock FM2A75 Pro4-M Micro ATX FM2 Motherboard ($63.98 @ Newegg)
Memory: G.Skill Ripjaws X Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) DDR3-1866 Memory ($37.99 @ Newegg)
Storage: Seagate Barracuda 2TB 3.5" 7200RPM Internal Hard Drive ($89.98 @ SuperBiiz)
Wireless Network Adapter: Asus USB-N10 802.11b/g/n USB 2.0 Wi-Fi Adapter ($16.99 @ NCIX US)
Case: nMEDIAPC HTPC 1080P HTPC Case ($59.98 @ Newegg)
Power Supply: SeaSonic 300W 80 PLUS Bronze Certified ATX12V Power Supply ($40.98 @ Newegg)
Optical Drive: Samsung SH-224BB DVD/CD Writer ($16.98 @ Outlet PC)
Operating System: Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 (OEM) (64-bit) ($89.98 @ Outlet PC)
Other: Hauppauge WinTV HVR-1250 Hybrid TV Tuner w/ Video Recorder PCI-E x 1 ($64.99)
Total: $546.84
(Prices include shipping, taxes, and discounts when available.)
(Generated by PCPartPicker 2013-04-09 11:17 EDT-0400)

I really appreciate the parts list - and this definitely looks doable. I may go with the hauppage dual tuner instead of the single tuner, just in case there is more than 1 show I want to watch. Thanks for the advice and if anyone has additional input, please let me know!!

 

[captaindorky]

One other question. I see a lot of people taking about the HD Homerun. Advantages/disadvantages versus the setup above? Thanks!!

 

[Wolfshadw]

One advantage is the HDHomeRun Dual is an external, networked based TV Tuner whereas the Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1250 (or 2250) is an internal device for that PC only. Any computer on your network can access the tuners. One possible disadvantage is depending on how many computers you have in your home, you may need more than one. 😉

BTW - Bodeen's build looks good. For OTA broadcasts and multiple computers, I'd definitely go with the SiliconDust HDHomeRun Dual with this Media Center Remote Control. If it's just the one computer, however, I'd go with the Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 w/remote.

-Wolf sends

 

[captaindorky]

One advantage is the HDHomeRun Dual is an external, networked based TV Tuner whereas the Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1250 (or 2250) is an internal device for that PC only. Any computer on your network can access the tuners. One possible disadvantage is depending on how many computers you have in your home, you may need more than one. 😉

BTW - Bodeen's build looks good. For OTA broadcasts and multiple computers, I'd definitely go with the SiliconDust HDHomeRun Dual with this Media Center Remote Control. If it's just the one computer, however, I'd go with the Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 w/remote.

-Wolf sends

Awesome. Thanks for all the info everyone. I think I'm going to make an order today or tomorrow!!