My HTPC Project (Worklog)

[six_storm]

Hello fellow NV'ers. It's finally time for me to start putting together my first HTPC and I would like to share the experience with you all. So let's get started.

PURPOSE
1. Be able to watch all analog and digital channels provided by Comcast.
2. Record/Schedule Record TV shows.
3. Play both DVD discs and movies backed up on an internal hard drive.
4. Play backed up music from both my collection and the future wifey's collection.
5. Eventually play HD-DVDs, Blu-Ray discs, or both.
6. Be able to access any content above on any trusted PC/Laptop on my network.
7. Be able to access any content above using XBOX 360's extender.

What I Have So Far
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-P35-DS3L
Processor: Intel Core 2 Duo E4300
RAM: 2X1GB Corsair XMS DDR2-800
Video Card: MSI 8600GT Twin Turbo
Hard Drive: TBB (To be bought)
Power Supply: Rosewill 450 Watts
CD/DVD Drive: Old DVD-ROM Drive, will be replacing
Operating System: See Below
Case: See Below

Planning on Buying
1. 4x250GB Hard Drives (No RAID right off the bat, don't see the point)
2. New SATA DVD-ROM Drive
3. Copy of Windows Vista Home Premium (I only have Vista Ultimate x64, no product key)
4. CoolerMaster Elite 330 Case

Ok, so now you know the basics of my project. I basically want to build not only a HTPC for my main TV, but I also want it to be a media server that serves all of my PCs and Laptops on my network. Later on in the future, I would like to have this connected with speakers that run through the entire house. :D Doesn't sound too hard of a project, HOWEVER, getting everything the way you want it takes quite some time.

What Have I Done So Far?
First, I bought a Hauppauge HVR-1600 TV Tuner card and to be honest, IT SUCKS. I was really hoping on better quality out of this card but all I see is cheap parts with cheap, useless software. I tried using Vista's MCE to configure the card and scan for channels using my Comcast Motorola STB, but it's a no go. Once it is manually configured, I get no digital channels, only analog. Even a simple Firewire cable and VLC captures my digital channels in 1080i!!! I'm taking it back tonight and replacing it for Visiontek's HD 600 Wonder PCI-e solution.

I did manage to test out Vista's MCE TV capabilities today and I'm stunned. I'm really digging the interface and the ease of recording, playback, TV guide and movie guide. Can't wait to get everything set up the way I want it.

This process will take a bit of time because money is short. I will be getting a new case probably this week, following with a copy of Vista HP right after Christmas time. Then a new hard drive will be in the mix in January.

Hope you guys enjoy this worklog, I've never done one before so keep an eye out for updates. Thanks guys!

[six_storm]

Just got back from CC and BB, only a little disappointed. They did not have the Visiontek HD600, but rather only had the USB stick model instead. I did buy the Visiontek HD650 which has dual TV tuners for about $40 more than what I spent last night. I won't get to try it out until tomorrow night so I'll post more impressions later!

[sammy sung]

Ok Six,will follow this thread,good luck with the build :thumbsup:

[six_storm]

Ok Six,will follow this thread,good luck with the build :thumbsup:

Thanks! This will be a fun project, even though it might take a while to buy everything I want for it. Being broke sucks.

[mythy]

analog tuners... yuck :p The 550 was such a load of BS to bad to it really hurt the 650 upon release.You might not know this but there was a 20 thousand some post thread over at hexus made by yours truly. (before I was banned :D) I was really following the tuner from its announcement till its release. What happened was they dropped support for there own software and then backed third party's for a profit. They even went as far as altering current working software so that it would no longer function. It was a pretty big deal. Then there drivers had IRQ issues on certine boards and then they didn't implement driver comb filters for the first month after release and it took even longer to get control of the enhancements like sharpening. It really was a huge flop among those that were interested.

[lunix]

You might want to have a look at mythtv. Its can be a little finicky to setup but once its running it works great. Does everything you need except for perhaps that 360 extender stuff. It will record over firewire same as vlc.

[six_storm]

You might want to have a look at mythtv. Its can be a little finicky to setup but once its running it works great. Does everything you need except for perhaps that 360 extender stuff. It will record over firewire same as vlc.

Yeah, I'm going to play around with it before I buy my copy of Vista. But like you said, it won't work with the 360 extender and I need that. Once I get married, I'll have this media server in my living room with my other PC and X360 in my office, thus sharing TV channels, movies, music and such.

[six_storm]

Alright. As you may know, I bought the Visiontek HD650 last night and I still can't get any of my local channels in HD! Comcast apparently has encrypted the channels and I can't get anything! If I get a connection through the cable box, the resolution goes straight down the crapper, due to the coaxial connection no doubt.

I guess that I'm going to keep the card for right now and here's the reason why. I have a small side project to do for my mom. She has a few 8MM camcorder tapes and VHS tapes she wants converted over to DVD. Also, this card does just fine with analog channels. I've been using Vista's MCE via XBOX 360, recording parts of movies and such. I really wish this would work with my HD channels, at least the basic local ones but I guess I'll have to wait until I move out (put an antenna up or something).

I'm just really surprised at Vista's MCE TBH. Everything is real easy and fast to set up, recording is nice and fast and sharing media is really easy too. Can't wait to get everything set up the way I want it!

Once I get my case and a copy of Vista in, I'll start taking pictures of all my components. Sorry for the lack of pics lol. Thanks for viewing guys! Any input will greatly be appreciated.

[ViN86]

did you consider HD channels over the air?

theres only the local channels, but most ppl's favorite shows are on local stations (NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, etc.)

[six_storm]

did you consider HD channels over the air?

theres only the local channels, but most ppl's favorite shows are on local stations (NBC, CBS, FOX, ABC, etc.)

Yeah, but my parent's house is out in a stick a little bit and even a $80 HD antenna doesn't pick up signals very well. Just gotta wait until I move next summer I guess.

[mythy]

You need a qam tuner and a molded cable box ;) Or pick upa cable card off of ebay thats been tweaked and a decent tuner with cable card support.

[six_storm]

You need a qam tuner and a molded cable box ;) Or pick upa cable card off of ebay thats been tweaked and a decent tuner with cable card support.

Both tuner cards I've had this weekend are QAM tuner cards. It's just Comcast encrypts the HD channels like a witch (with a B) so I can't decrypt them unless I have a cable box.

[Lyme]

Both tuner cards I've had this weekend are QAM tuner cards. It's just Comcast encrypts the HD channels like a witch (with a B) so I can't decrypt them unless I have a cable box.

All cable networks in the USA have been forced by legislation to offer cablecard to do what you want, but they will make you jump through ten billion hoops.

[six_storm]

Ok guys. Here is the next step to my project, research wise. What is the best way to backup your DVDs and be able to select them from Vista MCE? I've been trying to find out what video formats MCE will play but I can't find anything. I've played around with DVDShrink but it only converts DVDs into TS folders or an ISO image. That definitly won't work.

Basically, I want to be able to go into MCE, go to Videos and be able to pick any DVD (on HDD of course) for playback. Also, if it's possible, choose a movie from a list of movie posters; similar to the Movie Guide for TV on MCE.

[six_storm]

Alright boy and girls, I've been playing around with my no product key version of Vista Ultimate x64 MCE :D and a freeware program called "MyMovies". Looks like a great little program and for sure, it's very very nice for free. HOWEVER, I've had one heck of a problem trying to copy my DVDs over to hard drive. For some reason, it quits trying to rip the DVD automatically, giving out an error. What gives? Oh well, I will either look into a bit more over the weekend or just find something else to work with.

[six_storm]

Anybody? Here's a small update:

I'm looking to do some testing with Linux media center apps such as Mythbuntu and LinuxMCE while I don't have all of my required parts. Once I get a case the whole PC will finally be fully functional, but with only a 20GB hard drive lol. Not a lot of room to do much. I figured I would give Linux alternatives a chance to see what it can really do.

[einstein_314]

MyMovies 2 is a great add-in for MCE. I have it and it works marvelously.

As for ripping the DVD's, do you have hard drive space concerns? And how many movies can you see there being on there? Because if you just rip them into their VIDEO_TS folders (using DVD Decryptor for instance), MyMovies will work with that and you'll just be able to pick the movie and it will play. It also works if you rip them to an .iso. But note that although it works, it really slows MyMovies down.

What are you using to rip the dvds? I've never had one fail using DVD Decryptor. Mind you I'm running Vista Ultimate x86 on my HTPC....so maybe that's why.

[six_storm]

MyMovies 2 is a great add-in for MCE. I have it and it works marvelously.

As for ripping the DVD's, do you have hard drive space concerns? And how many movies can you see there being on there? Because if you just rip them into their VIDEO_TS folders (using DVD Decryptor for instance), MyMovies will work with that and you'll just be able to pick the movie and it will play. It also works if you rip them to an .iso. But note that although it works, it really slows MyMovies down.

What are you using to rip the dvds? I've never had one fail using DVD Decryptor. Mind you I'm running Vista Ultimate x86 on my HTPC....so maybe that's why.

I won't have hard drive space concerns once I get around to buying a new hard drive. I plan on buying a 250GB and then adding 250GB HDDs at a time. Thanks for the recommendation though. I tried MyMovies for Vista MCE but it never wanted to rip DVDs for me quite right. It always gave me an error and wouldn't rip.

[six_storm]

Well, I just ordered my CoolerMaster Elite case for my HTPC. Next will be a new hard drive, which I'm thinking of ordering that today as well since I have the extra cash. Like I said before, I'm going to try the Linux solutions first since I don't have the extra cash for Vista. Hope to have the case next week and I'll start posting some pics of my project!!!

[amk21]

Keep the updates coming, I just stumbled upon this thread. I ordered a Hauppuage WinTV-HVR-1800 MC-Kit, its a dagital/analog HDTV tuner, in digital ATSC/QAM, in analog NTSC, it also recieves fm. It supposed to be a much refined better/quality version of the 1600. I ordered it from newegg and should be recieving it on friday, so i will be updating you on the quality of it. I plan to have more simple uses for it then you do, stick it my rig watch and record my analog chnnels that i recieve from comcast(less than 100 channels), but eventually picking up an antenna and getting some ota loving. Just remember its pci-express, so keep that in mind. It also comes with the official mce remote(black updated version), and is vista certified, not only by Hauppauge, but also by my cousun Jethro(his parents obviously hated with the name they gave him).

[six_storm]

Keep the updates coming, I just stumbled upon this thread. I ordered a Hauppuage WinTV-HVR-1800 MC-Kit, its a dagital/analog HDTV tuner, in digital ATSC/QAM, in analog NTSC, it also recieves fm. It supposed to be a much refined better/quality version of the 1600. I ordered it from newegg and should be recieving it on friday, so i will be updating you on the quality of it. I plan to have more simple uses for it then you do, stick it my rig watch and record my analog chnnels that i recieve from comcast(less than 100 channels), but eventually picking up an antenna and getting some ota loving. Just remember its pci-express, so keep that in mind. It also comes with the official mce remote(black updated version), and is vista certified, not only by Hauppauge, but also by my cousun Jethro(his parents obviously hated with the name they gave him).

Thanks for reading! It helps when people build PCs and make detailed worklogs since it helps people in the future when they build things. Someone over at [H] has a worklog and it answered a few questions about my HTPC just from reading what software the guy used. I'll keep everything as detailed as possible so keep checking for updates.

[six_storm]

I'll be getting my Coolermaster case on Thursday, so look out for pics!

[amk21]

Which coolermaster are you thinking about getting, I've been eyeing up to new cosmos?

[DiscipleDOC]

Which coolermaster are you thinking about getting, I've been eyeing up to new cosmos?
I got the cosmos case, and I love it.

[six_storm]

Which coolermaster are you thinking about getting, I've been eyeing up to new cosmos?

I actually bought the Coolermaster Elite 330 case last week. I just needed a simple good looking case for right now.

I just bought a 250GB Western Digital Caviar hard drive for about $75, should be here on Thursday. I'm getting my case tomorrow so I'll be taking/posting up pictures tomorrow as well! Keep an eye out . . .