HTPC with PVR

baddiver09

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Jan 21, 2011
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18,510
Have been away from the hardware side for awhile so looking for advice on what I have come up with for my HTPC with PVR build. I want to use the PVR for OTA channels. I don't have a clue on TV tuner cards so a recommendation is appreciated. Any advice on an HTPC keyboard is also appreciated.

Here is what I am looking at.

LIAN LI PC-V351B Black Aluminum MicroATX Desktop Computer Case - $109.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112222

ASUS M4A88T-M/USB3 AM3 AMD 880G HDMI USB 3.0 Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - $94.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131660

AMD Athlon II X3 455 Rana 3.3GHz 3 x 512KB L2 Cache Socket AM3 95W Triple-Core Desktop Processor - $88.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103911

WINTEC AMPX 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 - $39.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820161279

SAMSUNG Spinpoint F3 HD103SJ 1TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" - $64.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152185

LG Black 10X BD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM SATA Internal Blu-ray Disc Combo Model UH10LS20 LightScribe Support - $69.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136183

Antec NEO ECO 400C 400W Continuous Power ATX12V 2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS Certified Active PFC Power Supply - $44.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371029



Thanks
Gord
 
Solution
Your build looks good to me. For a TV tuner card, you'll want a dual tuner so you can watch one OTA feed while recording another at the same time (or record two at the same time).

The best dual tuners are:

Hauppauge HVR-2250
SiliconDust HDHomerun
AverMedia Duet A188

The HVR-2250 is the best of the bunch. It's an internal PCIe card that also has an FM tuner so you can tune radio signals.

The HDHomerun is next. It is a network based dual tuner. It's advantage is that any computer on your home network has access to the tuners.

The Duet is the cheapest of the lot, but is known to have disappearing problems (I have this tuner and though it works well, I had to RMA my first one because of said problems.)

For a...
Your build looks good to me. For a TV tuner card, you'll want a dual tuner so you can watch one OTA feed while recording another at the same time (or record two at the same time).

The best dual tuners are:

Hauppauge HVR-2250
SiliconDust HDHomerun
AverMedia Duet A188

The HVR-2250 is the best of the bunch. It's an internal PCIe card that also has an FM tuner so you can tune radio signals.

The HDHomerun is next. It is a network based dual tuner. It's advantage is that any computer on your home network has access to the tuners.

The Duet is the cheapest of the lot, but is known to have disappearing problems (I have this tuner and though it works well, I had to RMA my first one because of said problems.)

For a keyboard, this one is my favorite: Moneual MK701
It's inexpensive, smallish, has good range, and good battery life.

I've also heard good things about this keyboard.


Hope this helps.
 
Solution