Using a PC as 'Media Centre'

[Jeff]

I'm looking to convert my desktop into a TV recorder & Media Centre, plugged into my TV.

Has anyone built a system like this? Was thinking about running Windows XP Media Centre Edition with a TV tuner card.

[H.G.]

I started too
but dont buy cheap TV cards they are nothing but hassles
go top shelf in that respect.
As for stereo thats just Itunes
The TV card I had also had a radio tuner in it..
I cant recall the name of the card off the top of my head.. will post when I remember..Althought I took the cheaper alternative :(

[Jeff]

What about the software side of things? I wouldn't mind having the ability to connect to an online TV guide to record shows

[Jeff]

$200 for Windows XP Media Centre Edition OEM.... ouch!

[raven]

i am using a program called power cinema and plain old XP..not sure wot the tv tuner card is but it picks up digital and analog signals..havent used xp media ed .with a 200 gig hard drive i card record plenty of 4wd TV.it has time shift and teletext but i dont use them .oh yeah and a remote control again i neva use.there plenty of media programs free, just do a search

[Jeff]

Might just hook it up with XP & see how I go.

Raven; Do you have a software app to program & record TV shows?

[H.G.]

the card was basically so you could plug your antenna cable into the back of the pc
but I ran my cable connection through it.
also had a remote.. never used though.

[raven]

yeah i can program it to record just like any VCR. plays DVDs or what ever video in (rca plugs)are conected to. the antena for fm and tv just plugs in the back of computer.the preview button is best can watch all TV stations at once

[Jeff]

I got the idea to do this after connecting my laptop up & setting the TV as an extended desktop monitor. It looked pretty good, ran full screen on the TV with no setup.

I then moved my desktop over & ran the TV as a primary monitor - not good. Doesn't run full screen, had to keep playing with resolution settings.

Might try moving the monitor up & setting up an extended desktop thing to see if that helps.

[xflow]

I use to run my TV through my PC with a Pinnacle capture card / Software, worked fine, ditto the stereo, DVD etc, chucked it all out to a Logitech 5.1 cinema system and displayed on a secondary monitor.

New set up is a stand alone DVD Recorder that also is the TV in / CD player. Still hooked up to the surround sound but displays out of a projector so I basically have TV at 3m x 2m.

I have the PC hooked up by fibre to the logitech so I have audio for MP3 / video /dvd etc, and video out (video / PC) to the projector.

[Dave]

I have just got a comppro tv card which will eventually go into a dedicated media pc. As far as software goes have a look at webscheduler and media portal both are free.

[Jeff]

Cool. Will do a search on them.

Turns out my video card (Geforce 3) sucks when it comes to TV out. Looking to buy a cheap video card with a TV out that actually works. The object is to do this without spending more cash (read - broke).

[Ando_13]

DIY Home Theatre - Part 3 just ran in Dec APC magazine.

They are using Media Portal and a Compro Videomate DVB-T300 digital tv tuner card.

Have a look at the series to get some ideas.

Am setting my own up in a few weeks when I have gathered all the parts at the prices I like!!

[Gordo]

Capt Absinythe !

This is also my next conquest (as soon as the work lappy gets repossessed)

Check out Myth TV for linux - a mac nut m8 has got a saweet setup at his place on a crappy old p3 compaq pc and it runs like a champ. 2 tv tunas in there (not sure what sort sorry).

Myth TV uses search strings for recording shows too. So enter "australian idol is a complete load of bulls nuts" and when the show starts it'll record it, when the season finishes (hallalujah!) it'll stop and when it starts again (kiiiiilllll meeeeeee) it starts grabbing it again.

It's almost enuff to make this one-eyed Bill-lover put on a crimson hat and join the opensource crew. Nice interface too - very easy to use and the best bit - no Micro$oft :)

It is also able to connect via the net direct to digi TV stations and dump to HDD if u have cable -how cool is that ?!? They do a Windoze version too but it doesn't have the direct from cable ability AFAIK. Plug in your IR usb remote and hawaaaay u go ! All the unwatchable free to air and cable crapola u can stomach !!

Check it out :)

[Jeff]

Thank you Your Sackness. Have heard about Myth TV, but only in a M$ version. No fuxtel in my house ATM so I'm not going to convert into a stinky Linux hippie just yet.

[H.G.]

Nvidia is the way to go.

[Gildo]

I got a telly and a VCR, I push record when I want to tape somfin, or ring the girlfrend if I'm not home.
Works evey time, if I remember.

[Gordo]

oldskooooool

[TIGGER]

Beta tapes is where its at

[Jeff]

Well my other option was to just have a really good memory.

Ebayed myself an ATI all-in-wonder combo video card/TV tuner for a decent price, hopefully should be the goods. Now just got to 'find' Windows XP Media Centre Edition for cheap.

The other problem with my setup? Turns out some fawker has been stealing ADSL bandwidth by jumping onto my wireless network. Found his IP address & PC name, any ideas on how to mess with his sh!t?

[Jeff]

Update....

Windows Media Centre - cute, but not worth the extra bucks. Media Portal (http://mediaportal.sourceforge.net/) is the shiznit. Does pretty much the same but costs nothing.

The ATI all in wonder works, but still sucks arse. You have to use ATI's software, which is not exactly useful. Has one cute feature - you can have live TV as your desktop.
Will be ebaying this card off and buying a separate Digital Video tuner card.

For those who need to buy video card to work with your PC - go for an ATi 9550 or above or an nVidia 5200 or above.