darkovo
Established Member
I've got a aopen XCcube PC (like a Shuttle) and would like to convert to a Media Center 2005 PC.
I would like to be able to record/watch 2 programs at the same time (so a twin-tuner card or 2 tuners) so I can plug in both a Sky+ box (with no subscription but with a S-Video Out Connection); and also connect standard Freeview capable aerial into the tuner card on the PC.
Currently have & don't expect to have to change:
1. 512MB RAM
2. Pentium 4 3.2Ghz Processor
3. Windows XP Pro SP2
4. 1xAGP slot
5. 1xPCI slot
6. Onboard 5.1 Sound with decent Optical in/out connections etc
7. USB2, Firewire etc
8. 16x DVD-Writer
9. 32" Philips CRT
10. AMP & Speakers etc
I know I need the following:
1. Media Center 2005 (probably without Update 2!!)
2. AGP (not PCIe) Video Card - Currently have 64MB DDR nVidia GeForce4 MX but this probably needs replacing with something better??
3. Bigger Quiet SATA HDD - Currently have a EIDE 120GB Maxtor but it's a bit noisy and my Motherboard has SATA connections so will go for a 250GB or something.
4. Twin-Tuner PCI card - was looking at one of the Hauppauge range and the WinTV-PVR 500 seems to fit the bill (expensive though), but am open to suggestions.
5. Remote control (if it doesn't come with the tuner card).
What i'd like to know is...
1. Is there anything else I need?
2. Can anyone give me some recommendations where to buy the extras I need (normally use ebuyer or similar).
3. What about if I went for an all-in-one AGP card (so Video and tuner on the same card aka ATI All-In-Wonder) & also a separate PCI Tuner card, so still get twin tuners but they need to at the same time (sort of!) & not conflict etc, this may work out cheaper than just one card with a twin-tuner??
Thanks in advance
I would like to be able to record/watch 2 programs at the same time (so a twin-tuner card or 2 tuners) so I can plug in both a Sky+ box (with no subscription but with a S-Video Out Connection); and also connect standard Freeview capable aerial into the tuner card on the PC.
Currently have & don't expect to have to change:
1. 512MB RAM
2. Pentium 4 3.2Ghz Processor
3. Windows XP Pro SP2
4. 1xAGP slot
5. 1xPCI slot
6. Onboard 5.1 Sound with decent Optical in/out connections etc
7. USB2, Firewire etc
8. 16x DVD-Writer
9. 32" Philips CRT
10. AMP & Speakers etc
I know I need the following:
1. Media Center 2005 (probably without Update 2!!)
2. AGP (not PCIe) Video Card - Currently have 64MB DDR nVidia GeForce4 MX but this probably needs replacing with something better??
3. Bigger Quiet SATA HDD - Currently have a EIDE 120GB Maxtor but it's a bit noisy and my Motherboard has SATA connections so will go for a 250GB or something.
4. Twin-Tuner PCI card - was looking at one of the Hauppauge range and the WinTV-PVR 500 seems to fit the bill (expensive though), but am open to suggestions.
5. Remote control (if it doesn't come with the tuner card).
What i'd like to know is...
1. Is there anything else I need?
2. Can anyone give me some recommendations where to buy the extras I need (normally use ebuyer or similar).
3. What about if I went for an all-in-one AGP card (so Video and tuner on the same card aka ATI All-In-Wonder) & also a separate PCI Tuner card, so still get twin tuners but they need to at the same time (sort of!) & not conflict etc, this may work out cheaper than just one card with a twin-tuner??
Thanks in advance