Older system to use as an HTPC w/ PVR500 WinTV Hauppauge? ( 4 Views )

1. I have a relative with an older PC she wants to have do PVR functions for her. The computer is right next to her TV in the room she wants to use it in. I have a few questions.
   
   She uses Cablevision's cable service (not digital) for her TV. Currently, she does use a set-top box to receive signals, although I don't know if it's required other than for the guide, etc. Anyone know?
   
   
   The *CURRENT* system specs are:
   
   Windows XP
   P3 700mhz
   384MB RAM
   GF3 Ti200 w/ DVI and Svideo out
   CDRW drive
   Soundblaster Live! card
   30gb HDD
   
   What retrofitting other than the hard drive (which I plan to put something in the neighborhood of a 200gb in there, and maybe a DVD burner) would be required for SageTV to run with a Hauppauge WinTV PVR500 dual-tuner card for recordings and playback of TV programs? I have a Radeon 9700Pro I can give her to put in if the video card isn't beefy enough (and possibly a GeForce Ti4200 instead), but as far as the CPU goes, I don't have anything better as a spare, and I don't think it's very cost-efficient to replace. If it isn't beefy enough, would a 700mhz P3 typically overclock to 800-850mhz or so and then be fast enough, or am I just out of luck on that front?
   
   
   Thanks in advance for any guidance!
   
   
   (ali, Eritrea)


2. 700Mhz is, I think, the lowest CPU requirement for SageTV. It'll work I think but you might want to either look into MythTV or the Linux version of SageTV for something with that takes lower resources then bloated Windows.
   
   As for upgrades throw a DX9 level card in there, I would think something like a 5200FX at the least. The GF3 and the GF4 Ti series have spotty svideo out quality and the GF4 Ti series doesn't even have the kind of video features that a 5200 FX would have.
   
   Try and connect her cable directly to the TV without the cable box and see if the channels and stuff are the same, the STB is just probably for things like the guide and Pay-per-view stuff.
   
   
   (fatih, San Marino)


3. Quote:

   Originally Posted by CrimandEvil 700Mhz is, I think, the lowest CPU requirement for SageTV. It'll work I think but you might want to either look into MythTV or the Linux version of SageTV for something with that takes lower resources then bloated Windows. As for upgrades throw a DX9 level card in there, I would think something like a 5200FX at the least. The GF3 and the GF4 Ti series have spotty svideo out quality and the GF4 Ti series doesn't even have the kind of video features that a 5200 FX would have. Try and connect her cable directly to the TV without the cable box and see if the channels and stuff are the same, the STB is just probably for things like the guide and Pay-per-view stuff.

   
   Sage says 600mhz as the minimum, so I don't know if it is enough to provide good playback, or recording while doing light web browsing/solitaire/etc. I can toss a Radeon 9700pro in there for DX9 (I assume this is for video acceleration and VMR9?)
   
   As far as the cable, I will have her test that out per your suggestion of hooking it directly into the TV.
   
   Thanks!
   
   
   (berfin, Malawi)

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