Video Recorder

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Since I just recently built a new computer with Win 7, I now have an XP machine and was considering building a PVR with it and dropping the Cable DVR and it’s monthly rental fee. I’m looking for input from others to decide if its worth the effort. Here’s what I’m working with…

P4 1.7GHz (Intel D845GVSR motherboard)
bus Speed: 400MHz
system Memory Speed: 266MHz
768 MB memory in ram
40GB primary drive holds the OS system
80GB secondary drive to hold the recordings (I would even consider a larger drive if absolutely necessary)

It has PCI slots (not PCI Express) and I would need to buy a TV tuner…any advice as to what to buy

I have USB slots but I would rather use PCI for the tuner instead of USB. (Is this good or bad thinking?)

If need be I can get more ram memory.

A recent clean install of Win XP SP3 with all current updates.

What program(s) would be best to use.

I would also like to watch TV shows via HULA or similar sites. I plan on using wireless to have access to the internet. (I have thoughts of discontinuing Cable TV altogether)

What else do I need to address?

Any advise would be appreciated.

Thanks,

Norm

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I used to record DVD quality (720×480 MPEG-2) with about a 1.2 GHz system and it would only drop the occasional frame so I think if its dedicated, your system as is would be capable as long as you weren’t recording hi-def. RAM would only be an issue if you were trying to edit the recordings as well. 80 GIGs is small these days and DVD quality is 6000 kbs so it can add up quickly.

USB is quick and dirty, PCI is better though more involved and won’t be a bottleneck like USB potentially could be. Hauppauge is a good solid company for tuner cards and USB doohickies but you didn’t mention where the signal source(s) are coming from and even if its still cable, is it digital and when is it converted to analog, what are the types of connectors allowed and so forth.

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I would also like to watch TV shows via HULA or similar sites. I plan on using wireless to have access to the internet. (I have thoughts of discontinuing Cable TV altogether)

Norm,
Hello,,, One more thing you have to consider.. is the “wireless connection”. I have Verizon Broadband (Rev-A) and watch TV via “Hulu” and some others, Fox on demand etc. The problem that you might encounter is your “download speed” as sometimes things get “bogged down” (in my coverage area) while watching and come to a halt. I don’t have “cable” as i live in the “sticks”so i am on board with your thoughts and plan as well. Regards Fred

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I used to record DVD quality (720×480 MPEG-2) with about a 1.2 GHz system and it would only drop the occasional frame so I think if its dedicated, your system as is would be capable as long as you weren’t recording hi-def. RAM would only be an issue if you were trying to edit the recordings as well. 80 GIGs is small these days and DVD quality is 6000 kbs so it can add up quickly.USB is quick and dirty, PCI is better though more involved and won’t be a bottleneck like USB potentially could be. Hauppauge is a good solid company for tuner cards and USB doohickies but you didn’t mention where the signal source(s) are coming from and even if its still cable, is it digital and when is it converted to analog, what are the types of connectors allowed and so forth.

Norm,Hello,,, One more thing you have to consider.. is the “wireless connection”. I have Verizon Broadband (Rev-A) and watch TV via “Hulu” and some others, Fox on demand etc. The problem that you might encounter is your “download speed” as sometimes things get “bogged down” (in my coverage area) while watching and come to a halt. I don’t have “cable” as i live in the “sticks”so i am on board with your thoughts and plan as well. Regards Fred

Byron, Fred,

Thanks for the feedback. OK, it sounds like my decision to go PCI is good. As far as the signal source, I’ll still use the Time-Warner cable in the beginning but I was hoping to drop cable altogether. I currently rent the Scientific-Atlantic DVR box and I thought the hard drive was 80 gig. However, I’m not too concerned about the drive size. I plan on increasing my Win 7 computer to a Terabyte drive and then I can use the 500 Gig in this PVR.

Fred, your concern about getting bogged down is my concern also, but I’m hoping an increase in memory might alleviate that problem. But I can run a hard ethernet cable but would rather not.

Byron, you alerted me to something I did not consider, The hi-def issue. What would I need to do to get the Hi-Def? Is the motherboard too slow? I’m keeping my high speed internet service but would like to drop the tv cable sometime down the road.

The bottom line for me is to keep any additional cost for the PVR below $125. If I have to spend more then maybe I would be better off buying a high end P4 from e-bay or some discount online source for about $200-$300 range.

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What would I need to do to get the Hi-Def? Is the motherboard too slow?

I’ve never really record Hi-def, just work with it on the computer afterwards, but I would think that your processor would get bogged down and you would start dropping frames at full quality record. If you go to the Hauppauge website you’ll see that they make some breakout boxes with dedicated hardware to record and compress hi-def on the fly but one of those starts at about $200 so…

Maybe if the PCI card came with some really good hardware acceleration of its own it would not put that much stress on the CPU and it wouldn’t be a problem but I don’t have any sure answers in that department.

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