Media PC part TWO!

After some research and trying out programs, here is an updated thing about this.

Im going to go with the Hauppauges 150MCE lp:

http://www.hauppauge.com/pages/products/data_pvr150lp.html

And getting one of these since the LP doesnt come with it:
http://registration.hauppauge.com/webstore/hardware.asp#remote

Just going with it because to fit in the case I want to get, I have to go with slim cards.

http://secure.newegg.com/NewVersion...ID=1522396&WishListTitle=MICRO+MEDIA+COMPUTER

Im going to go with 512mb ram since this isnt going to be a gaming PC (well not for anything other than emulators anyway). (maybe add in another 512 later or just a 256 one).

Im not sure if I should get the athlon64 2800 or the 3000 though. Is the 1.8 vs 2.0 really that much of a difference?

Now for the software part (These are less for DVR stuff and more for sorting and viewing media files easily on a TV. TV recording is good, so suggest stuff for that).

I tried out Meedio, but the way you have to add files and folders is a pain in the ass (unless I was missing something completely?) and I didnt really like it that much (even though the plugins are great for alot of extra stuff).
So its on the maybe list since it costs money.

I tried Media Portal and am liking it so far. Its still a beta though. Its got alot of features and shit, but Im not sure if I want to keep it for lack of plugins and the fact that its a beta.

Has anyone used MythTV for this kind of thing? Im not really familiar with linux (or use it at all), so how does this program compare to others?


Last part.

When I record shows with whatever program I end up using, how easy is it to encode those to divx so they dont take up as much space. Can you do that on the fly with anything? Is there a program that easily lets you cut out commercials and stuff?


EDIT: What kind of HD would be good to get for a 300GB? Maxtor? Seagate? Who? (something quiet would be good)

I have a modest media PC setup. Running Beyond TV 3.5. I like the software a lot. It has a feature I haven't used yet that is supposed to cut down the filesize of video, but again...haven't used it. As far as the software goes, I have compared it side-by-side with TIVO and it does everything plus more. Only a few minor gripes. Recommended! I also have a firefly remote that works with it perfectly.

Beyond TV

Firefly Remote

Systm.org

Go there and download episode 2. It's all about Myth Tv. The os looks tight as hell. If I had a need for a media center pc, this would be what I run. It even supports cable boxes that output through firewire.

gamejunkie said:

Systm.org

Go there and download episode 2. It's all about Myth Tv. The os looks tight as hell. If I had a need for a media center pc, this would be what I run. It even supports cable boxes that output through firewire.

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That would be very helpfull if I could download BT files at school

Seagate and Maxtor have 500gb drives on the horizon...

Can the newer mobos account for this, or do you still need a controller card?

gamejunkie said:

Seagate and Maxtor have 500gb drives on the horizon...

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Im trying to keep this on the cheap, so if I need another space jump I can just throw in another 300 or 400gb cheap drive.

I think Ill go with a maxtor though since seagates have a rep (I have one and its true) of being noisy.

Nesagwa said:

That would be very helpfull if I could download BT files at school

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Can you watch divx files? There is a gmail based hard drive service that's online, I could upload the file to the gmail account and you could download it using the same account. Would you like to try that?

gamejunkie said:

Can you watch divx files? There is a gmail based hard drive service that's online, I could upload the file to the gmail account and you could download it using the same account. Would you like to try that?

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Yeah sure. Just PM me the details and Ill watch it after class.

Nesagwa said:

I think Ill go with a maxtor though since seagates have a rep (I have one and its true) of being noisy.

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What?

How old is that Seagate of yours?

If you read any modern hard drive review of a Seagate, one thing is almost always mentioned: How quite they are.

Maxtors on the other hand run hot as hell and I have had about six of them die in the last couple years. They had to be RMA'ed back to Maxtor.

I will NEVAR buy another Maxtor.

GiLL said:

What?

How old is that Seagate of yours?

If you read any modern hard drive review of a Seagate, one thing is almost always mentioned: How quite they are.

Maxtors on the other hand run hot as hell and I have had about six of them die in the last couple years. They had to be RMA'ed back to Maxtor.

I will NEVAR buy another Maxtor.

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Ive heard the complete opposite. My seagate is less than a year old, and it makes alot of clicks. They are kind of noisey.

GiLL said:

What?

How old is that Seagate of yours?

If you read any modern hard drive review of a Seagate, one thing is almost always mentioned: How quite they are.

Maxtors on the other hand run hot as hell and I have had about six of them die in the last couple years. They had to be RMA'ed back to Maxtor.

I will NEVAR buy another Maxtor.

Click to expand...

I think hard drives are hit or miss from person to person. I've had 2 WD Raptor's die, something that very few if any at all have and happen.

If you want any help building one or some pointers, let me know. I've built a bunch of these to the point I've turned it into an art form.

I purchase Western Digital Drives when given the choice, though most are all fine excecpt for IBM DeskStar Drives.

Thought you might be interested in this... 320GB SATA WD hard drive for $150!

This is madness I have no need for another HD but might buy one. One comment said the access time is much faster than the current hard drive I have now...

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16822144394