Looking for some help on a new build

[jmarchetti]

For a while now I have went from video card to video card setting up my connection from my PC to my television different ways. I started with a Nvidia 5800 Ultra using a DVI connection then went to a ATI X850 Pro using a Component and almost went over to using my new 7900 GT using DVI. I was just basically using these PC's to send videos that I had downloaded from the internet to my home theater and televesion. I've recently switched cable systems and will not have the oppurtunity to rent a DVR anymore but would still like to be able to record TV and perhaps if it is possible have a lot of the features a DVR would give me. I am using the ATI X850 Pro in my secondary gaming computer and the 7900 GT in my primary gaming computer but now that I have a partially built third computer I'm wondering if I could turn it into a HTPC. It already has a case, decent MB, processor (over 1GHz), RAM (1GB), and the Nvidia 5800 Ultra in it. I'm going to have to get a large HD for it. I would assume to get the feaures I've been speaking about I'm also going to have to get a new video card as well. Oh yeah sorry forgot to mention I also have a Audigy 2 Platinum that I can put in it. I am going to have DISH network with HD hooked up in the room. I also have a home network. I was wondering if anyone can help walk me through the next couple of steps I would have to take to start the process and if I can even get the features of a DVR. Oh yeah another thing I forgot is that I have a DVD-RW that I can throw in it as well. Sorry for the long post. Appreciate all the help I can get guys.

[mnn1265]

I also have just switched to Dish Network and I decided to spend the $250 for the VIP622 HD DVR instead of going with PVR on my HTPC. My HTPC also has a 7900 GT OC video card and has very high performance hardware (as it's my gaming rig also). The primary reason I just went with the Dish HD DVR is that I wanted to be able to record all HD channels and digital cable channels - typically that can't be done on the HTPC. By the time you buy the HD tuner card and upgrade your hardware you'd spend at least as much as just springing for the HD DVR and have much more hassle and less functionality. With all the restrictions on HTPC PVR I don't feel it's worth it. Unless you want to store a lot of recorded shows I don't see an advantage in going the HTPC route.

Of course you may decide differently if you don't want to record all the channels you pay for. You will only be able to record OTA HD channels with the HTPC.

[stewart710]

Could you run the coaxial out of an HDTV set top box to a pvr card in the HTPC? I'm currently running a sagetv server/client setup with standard def cable, so I'm not up on the hoops you have to jump through with the HD pvr. I think the mininum specs for HD timeshifting involve at least a Athlon 64 3000 computer with at least a 6xxx generation video card (or ATI equiv.) plenty of ram and a mountain of storage space.

[jmarchetti]

Can you just buy the VIP622 directly from DISH? Cause when I asked them how much it was gonna be to buy a HD DVR the guy said something like $500. That's what steered me in the HTPC direction.

[mnn1265]

I did get the VIP622 directly through the company that markets Dish. I paid $250 or a little more for it just two months ago so I'd be surprised if it's that much today.

Edit: The price was based on two year contract deal if I recall.

[bakerja]

[QUOTE=mnn1265]I did get the VIP622 directly through the company that markets Dish. I paid $250 or a little more for it just two months ago so I'd be surprised if it's that much today.

Edit: The price was based on two year contract deal if I recall.[/QUOTE]

That price is also a lease. You do not own the vip622 for $250, you just have the use of it.