Using computer as HD tv redux
 

Have has several conversations here in past abt
installing an HD off air TV card in a PC and making a
TV/PVR from it.

It occurred to me that I never asked abt the remote
control features with said HD card.

Do they come with remote control and can one FULLY
control the computer just like a TV? Turn power off?
Change channels and adjust volumes, etc?

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

wrote:
Have has several conversations here in past abt
installing an HD off air TV card in a PC and making a
TV/PVR from it.

It occurred to me that I never asked abt the remote
control features with said HD card.

Do they come with remote control and can one FULLY
control the computer just like a TV? Turn power off?
Change channels and adjust volumes, etc?

The Remote Wonder that comes bundled with the HDTV Wonder controls all
functions of the PC except direct power off. You have to Start turn
off computer to actually turn it off. You can't turn on the PC from a
cold start. Perhaps there's something in the BIOS settings but it
really isn't an issue for me. Channel, volume, mute, skip
forward/backward, pause all work fine both on live TV and recordings.
We've had the HDTV Wonder for 20 months and it gets a lot of use as a
recorder/player in native mode (HD or SD) and for TiVo like use. I'm
currently working on a second system networked to the first.

The PC is not any whiz bang unit - Athlon XP 3000 on a Gigabyte board,
1 gig dual channel memory, ATI 9600 pro video card with a DVI link to a
Samsung DLP with a 720 engine and a 300 gig RAID 0 drive (twin 160 gig
IDE Maxtors).

I'd like to see a comparison between the Oppo DVD up-converting player
and the up-conversion done in the PC. The PC is very impressive in this
and it's hard to imagine improvements given the SD starting point. I
say this from the standpoint of working in broadcast video for 30
years.

GG

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

On Wed, 02 Aug 2006 18:39:58 -0500, me wrote:

Have has several conversations here in past abt
installing an HD off air TV card in a PC and making a
TV/PVR from it.

It occurred to me that I never asked abt the remote
control features with said HD card.

Do they come with remote control and can one FULLY
control the computer just like a TV? Turn power off?
Change channels and adjust volumes, etc?

Some cards come with remote (usually at a much higher price) and some
don't. The 4 cards I've got in mine didn't (ATSC Air2PC Rev.02 at about
$25 each). Being the cheap sob I am, I just bought a couple of of Remotes
with IR receivers seperately at $4.99 each pair and used them. Actually, I
don't use them as I prefer the wireless KB, but my wife likes the remote
on her TV but uses a learning remote instead of the remote that I bought.
She has to manually turn the PC on. After that you can do everything with
the remote that you mention including shuting the system down. I haven't
even considered remote startup but that's possible too. But if you are
going to build a standalone DVR, more than likely you will want it on 24/7
anyway to record the shows when ever they come on. Just the other day I
noticed I had a new episode of Kyle XY that was recorded between 4:10 and
5:10AM as it wasn't in it's regular time slot the night before.

My system consist of my regular computer that I'm on now, which is the
master backend server with all 4 tuner cards in it. I can watch recordings
and or live TV here when I start the frontend software. No remotes on this
as it's on my desk and runs 24/7 as a server for MythTV, webserver, ftp
server, etc. In my bedroom, I've got another real cheap PC running the
frontend when I watch TV or recordings or use any of the other features
which are too many to mention. I've got a 19in CRT at 1600x1200 on it and
displays HD perfectly. My wifes Tv is an old 32in analog TV that I put
another cheap PC on and she can watch the same way except at a 480i
resolution. All frontends have the same capabilty as the orignal, meaning
anything you can do on one, you can do on all. The remote frontends run
over the network. The remote PC's are just basic bare systems with a video
card and whatever else you want to put in them. Although I threw some
spare small HDD's in them, they could boot over the network. And the best
part is that the only cost is the hardware. Even guide data is free over
the internet. My only cost for this machine if I bought the cards now
would be about $100 for a 4 HDTV tuner system. you can't beat that with
anything commercial, and even windows based would probably cost you that
much just for the software that won't do as much as I can now. yeah, I
like it if you can't tell.:-)

Former Tivo owner.

--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
http://mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth.html Usenet alt.video.ptv.mythtv
My server http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php
HD Tivo S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

Wes Newell wrote:


Some cards come with remote (usually at a much higher price) and some
don't. The 4 cards I've got in mine didn't (ATSC Air2PC Rev.02 at about
$25 each). Being the cheap sob I am, I just bought a couple of of Remotes
with IR receivers seperately at $4.99 each pair and used them.

Ok but how did this remotes you bought separately above
work with the video cards?

Maybe a dumb question...but wouldn't you have to buy a
certain video card that already is remote capable?

Actually, I
don't use them as I prefer the wireless KB, but my wife likes the remote
on her TV but uses a learning remote instead of the remote that I bought.

Yeah I could use a wireless keyboard but was thinking
abt the times I'm laying in bed and channels surfing or
watching "TV" on the home built PVR. In that scenario
it would much easier to use a remote rather than a
wireless keyboard

But if you are
going to build a standalone DVR, more than likely you will want it on 24/7
anyway to record the shows when ever they come on.

True. and with the new core 2 dual's coming out the
SHOULD be a lot less power hungry and generate a lot
less indoor heat, right?

I'm mindful of leaving on a PC 24/7 cause of electric
bill and heat generation.

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

Wes Newell wrote:


My system consist of my regular computer that I'm on now, which is the
master backend server with all 4 tuner cards in it.

So how many computers total do you have?

And they are ALL running Linux, right

And some you use the monitors to watch TV but on some
you have the computer hooked to standard TV, right

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

wrote:
Wes Newell wrote:


Some cards come with remote (usually at a much higher price) and
some
don't. The 4 cards I've got in mine didn't (ATSC Air2PC Rev.02 at
about
$25 each). Being the cheap sob I am, I just bought a couple of of
Remotes
with IR receivers seperately at $4.99 each pair and used them.

Ok but how did this remotes you bought separately above
work with the video cards?

Maybe a dumb question...but wouldn't you have to buy a
certain video card that already is remote capable?

Actually, I
don't use them as I prefer the wireless KB, but my wife likes the
remote
on her TV but uses a learning remote instead of the remote that I
bought.

Yeah I could use a wireless keyboard but was thinking
abt the times I'm laying in bed and channels surfing or
watching "TV" on the home built PVR. In that scenario
it would much easier to use a remote rather than a
wireless keyboard

But if you are
going to build a standalone DVR, more than likely you will want it
on 24/7
anyway to record the shows when ever they come on.

True. and with the new core 2 dual's coming out the
SHOULD be a lot less power hungry and generate a lot
less indoor heat, right?

I'm mindful of leaving on a PC 24/7 cause of electric
bill and heat generation.

The remote is not linked to the tuner card. In my case with Win XP, the
remote mimics the mouse so you can run any software with the remote.
The ATI remote has additional dedicated buttons for volume, channel etc
that work with the ATI software. I assume the remotes interact with
Linux in a similar fashion.

BTW last time I checked, you can get an HDTV Wonder with remote for
$120 from the ATI site. I got the second HDTV Wonder on eBay for $78
total.

GG

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

On Thu, 03 Aug 2006 11:11:52 -0500, me wrote:

Wes Newell wrote:


Some cards come with remote (usually at a much higher price) and some
don't. The 4 cards I've got in mine didn't (ATSC Air2PC Rev.02 at about
$25 each). Being the cheap sob I am, I just bought a couple of of Remotes
with IR receivers seperately at $4.99 each pair and used them.

Ok but how did this remotes you bought separately above
work with the video cards?

Maybe a dumb question...but wouldn't you have to buy a
certain video card that already is remote capable?

You're confused. The remotes actually have nothing to do with anything.
They are seperate devices that just simulate KB key sequences. They are
controlled with LIRC I have posted instructions on how to install them in
the mythtv newsgroup. these are the ones I used.

http://tekgems.com/Products/tg-pbr.htm

But if you are
going to build a standalone DVR, more than likely you will want it on 24/7
anyway to record the shows when ever they come on.

True. and with the new core 2 dual's coming out the
SHOULD be a lot less power hungry and generate a lot
less indoor heat, right?

I'm mindful of leaving on a PC 24/7 cause of electric
bill and heat generation.

Any of the newer Intels or AMD's use very little power at idle. Mine
records 4 shows at once and only uses about 5% cpu load.at 800MHz.
Playback is where the cpu load will go up considerably. STill, if you want
to shut it down when not in use, you can certainly do so. mine has always
run 24/7 anyway. At least since about 1990, so there wasn't any extra
electricity use to speak of for me. I actually saved since I disconnected
2 other DVR's and and 3 VCR's which are no longer used or needed.

--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
http://mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth.html Usenet alt.video.ptv.mythtv
My server http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php
HD Tivo S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

On Thu, 03 Aug 2006 11:14:30 -0500, me wrote:

Wes Newell wrote:


My system consist of my regular computer that I'm on now, which is the
master backend server with all 4 tuner cards in it.

So how many computers total do you have?
And they are ALL running Linux, right

3 and yes, they all run linux. This one has been running as a server for
years. I just installed newer kernel for it to support the tuner cards.
the others are both running Knoppmyth. Takes about 15 minutes to set them
up using the Knoppmyth install CD.

And some you use the monitors to watch TV but on some you have the
computer hooked to standard TV, right

Correct. If you want 21" or less, a cheap CRT monitor is as good as it
gets. While the old analog Tv gives an excellent picture, it is hard to
read when using it as a PC unless you increase the font size. Shouldn't
have that problem with a real HDTV.

--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
http://mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth.html Usenet alt.video.ptv.mythtv
My server http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php
HD Tivo S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

On Thu, 03 Aug 2006 11:11:52 -0500, me wrote:

True. and with the new core 2 dual's coming out the
SHOULD be a lot less power hungry and generate a lot
less indoor heat, right?

One thing I should mention. You don't need hardly any power on the
server with the tuner cards in it unless you are going to use it for
playback also. And even then, you don't really need a lot of power by
todays standards. A 754 Sempron 2800 would work Ok. Actually, that's what
one of my frontends is.:-)
the point I'm trying to make is don't go hog wild with the latest and
greatest CPU unless you're also going to use it for something that does
require a lot of power. Otherwise, it's just wasted money. A video card
card with hardware support for decoding mpeg2 removes a lot of load from
the CPU. I use FX5200's in all mine and they work fine for me.

--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
http://mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth.html Usenet alt.video.ptv.mythtv
My server http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php
HD Tivo S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

Wes Newell wrote:

if you want
to shut it down when not in use, you can certainly do so. mine has always
run 24/7 anyway. At least since about 1990, so there wasn't any extra
electricity use to speak of for me. I actually saved since I disconnected
2 other DVR's and and 3 VCR's which are no longer used or needed.

Doesn't having say a 200 watt power supply generate a
lot of heat in a small home?

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

Wes Newell wrote:

the point I'm trying to make is don't go hog wild with the latest and
greatest CPU unless you're also going to use it for something that does
require a lot of power. Otherwise, it's just wasted money. A video card
card with hardware support for decoding mpeg2 removes a lot of load from
the CPU. I use FX5200's in all mine and they work fine for me.

Understood

What's cheapest PC you'd even consider using?

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

On Thu, 03 Aug 2006 15:50:00 -0500, me wrote:

Wes Newell wrote:

if you want
to shut it down when not in use, you can certainly do so. mine has always
run 24/7 anyway. At least since about 1990, so there wasn't any extra
electricity use to speak of for me. I actually saved since I disconnected
2 other DVR's and and 3 VCR's which are no longer used or needed.

Doesn't having say a 200 watt power supply generate a
lot of heat in a small home?

I've got a hanging light fixture that has 7 of those little 60W bulbs in
it. That's 420W, more than my PC uses at about 150W at idle.

--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
http://mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth.html Usenet alt.video.ptv.mythtv
My server http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php
HD Tivo S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

On Thu, 03 Aug 2006 15:57:52 -0500, me wrote:

Wes Newell wrote:

the point I'm trying to make is don't go hog wild with the latest and
greatest CPU unless you're also going to use it for something that does
require a lot of power. Otherwise, it's just wasted money. A video card
card with hardware support for decoding mpeg2 removes a lot of load from
the CPU. I use FX5200's in all mine and they work fine for me.

Understood

What's cheapest PC you'd even consider using?

AMD Duron 1600 w/FX5200 video card 512M ram. I used this as a frontend
machine for quite a while. It would do playback at 1200MHz using XvMC
(hardware video decoding) at about 80% load. I usually ran it overclocked
at 2000MHz. On the Intel side I couldn't say. I've heard of people having
problems with 3G P4's. But that may well have been user problems. Now if
you want HD PIP, you'll need something a lot more powerful as XvMC doesn't
supprt PIP so you can't use it. For PIP playback I can't get my A64 3000+
to do it with both 1080i streams. I can get PIP with 1 1080i and one SD
channel. So I'd suggest something like an X2 3800 in that case although
you may get by with something like a 3500+. But if you just want good
single picture playback the Duron 1600 will do it.

--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
http://mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth.html Usenet alt.video.ptv.mythtv
My server http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php
HD Tivo S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

Wes Newell wrote:

What's cheapest PC you'd even consider using?

AMD Duron 1600 w/FX5200 video card 512M ram. I used this as a frontend

The one things that's kept me form using a computer as
a TV above is my worries abt the "fiddle factor"

By that I mean that I'm a busy enough person as is and
don't need any more "complexity" in my life.

I worry that a computer.....with all its software
issues, virus issues, etc.... will be less robust than
just getting a cheap analog TV and standalone DVD
burner that has all it's "instructions:" burnt in into
firmware.

Can you assure me that by using Linux and having a
dedicated computer as a "TV" that its fairly "hands
off" after you once get it setup?

Bottom line.... have you had to "fiddle" with it much
after getting it up and running? Software patches,
virus issues, etc?

Just curious

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

wrote:
Wes Newell wrote:

What's cheapest PC you'd even consider using?

AMD Duron 1600 w/FX5200 video card 512M ram. I used this as a
frontend

The one things that's kept me form using a computer as
a TV above is my worries abt the "fiddle factor"

By that I mean that I'm a busy enough person as is and
don't need any more "complexity" in my life.

I worry that a computer.....with all its software
issues, virus issues, etc.... will be less robust than
just getting a cheap analog TV and standalone DVD
burner that has all it's "instructions:" burnt in into
firmware.

Can you assure me that by using Linux and having a
dedicated computer as a "TV" that its fairly "hands
off" after you once get it setup?

Bottom line.... have you had to "fiddle" with it much
after getting it up and running? Software patches,
virus issues, etc?

Just curious

If you use the computer only for TV -- no games or internet access,
where would a virus come from? Mine runs under Win XP Pro only for TV.
Tonight at 7 it recorded a PBS show in SD. It was 'programmed' for this
weekly record several months ago. I do not leave this machine on 24/7
and with no internet, there is no automatic TV listing so I use it as a
pre-VCR plus "VCR" that just records on a disk instead of tape. The
only 'downside' is I have to turn it on. Oddly enough, it has a UPS so
it won't mess up a recording in progress if there's a power 'burp' The
computer has never done a BSOD and has messed up 1 recording session
(out of hundreds) in the last year.

You think Wes would sell a 'turnkey' machine ready to go? How much?

GG

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

On Fri, 04 Aug 2006 22:20:02 -0500, me wrote:

Wes Newell wrote:

What's cheapest PC you'd even consider using?

AMD Duron 1600 w/FX5200 video card 512M ram. I used this as a frontend

The one things that's kept me form using a computer as
a TV above is my worries abt the "fiddle factor"

If you just want a TV, to turn on and watch what's on when you turn it on,
then buy a TV. OTOH, if you want a complete HTPC and all it can do, then
just a TV won't cut it.

I worry that a computer.....with all its software issues, virus issues,
etc.... will be less robust than just getting a cheap analog TV and
standalone DVD burner that has all it's "instructions:" burnt in into
firmware.

Virus issues? You must be talking about running windows software. I don't
run any MS os's. I run linux and there aren't any virus issues. Before
that, I ran OS/2 and there weren't any virus issues. Before that I ran DOS
and Deskview. There weren't a lot of viruses around then.

Can you assure me that by using Linux and having a dedicated computer as
a "TV" that its fairly "hands off" after you once get it setup?

i'm not an insurance company. All I can do is give you my experience with
it. The current release is very stable. Once setup, you shouldn't have to
do anything else to it unless you have a hardware problem.

Bottom line.... have you had to "fiddle" with it much after getting it
up and running? Software patches, virus issues, etc?

No software patches. No viruses ever. if you don't want to fiddle with it,
don't. Just let it run. If it crashes, restart the app or reboot just
like I've had to do with my Tivo an other brand DVR's.

--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
http://mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth.html Usenet alt.video.ptv.mythtv
My server http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php
HD Tivo S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

On Fri, 04 Aug 2006 20:54:43 -0700, G-squared wrote:

You think Wes would sell a 'turnkey' machine ready to go? How much?

I've offered to build them before. If someone is serious I'd do it for $50
and they pay for all parts and shipping. I've actually been thinking about
putting something on ebay. There's an add there now for a prebuilt analog
system for $799 and that's just rediculous IMO. If one does it them selves
with carefully chosen parts, a 4l HDTV tuner box can be built for under
$400 in a black tower case.

--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
http://mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth.html Usenet alt.video.ptv.mythtv
My server http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php
HD Tivo S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

"Elmo P. Shagnasty" wrote:

If you buy a computer and don't hook it to the net and set it up once,
where's the worry about viruses and things changing?

How would it gets it programming info if not hooked to
the Net?

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

On Sat, 05 Aug 2006 06:00:14 GMT, Wes Newell
wrote:

On Fri, 04 Aug 2006 20:54:43 -0700, G-squared wrote:

You think Wes would sell a 'turnkey' machine ready to go? How much?

I've offered to build them before. If someone is serious I'd do it for $50
and they pay for all parts and shipping. I've actually been thinking about
putting something on ebay. There's an add there now for a prebuilt analog
system for $799 and that's just rediculous IMO. If one does it them selves
with carefully chosen parts, a 4l HDTV tuner box can be built for under
$400 in a black tower case.


Wes,

I wonder if you would "spec out" a system like that. I don't mean with
prices, or even actual components, just what type of component to look
for. For example, I have an Athlon computer that isn't being used now
(2600+ @ 1.91 GHz, 512 MB RAM, tower box with capacity for several
hard drives on Promise controller and ECS MB controller)... I'd lke to
add the components that would enable me to use it for an HDTV PDR
system... but have no idea what kind of tuner to start looking for, or
what "version" of Linux I'd need (this computer is presently set up
for dual boot, Win XP Home and Win 98SE... I use it for running all of
my "old" apps that I kept around after putting together my present
computer).



Charlie Hoffpauir
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~charlieh/

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

On Sat, 05 Aug 2006 10:01:35 -0400, "Elmo P. Shagnasty"
wrote:

In article ,
wrote:

If you buy a computer and don't hook it to the net and set it up once,
where's the worry about viruses and things changing?

How would it gets it programming info if not hooked to
the Net?

You can watch TV without a programming guide.

You can also watch DVDs without a programming guide.


I can't imagine sitting in front of a computer watching DVDs.
Thumper

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

Thumper wrote:

I can't imagine sitting in front of a computer watching DVDs.

why not?

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

On Sat, 05 Aug 2006 08:36:03 -0500, Charlie Hoffpauir wrote:

I wonder if you would "spec out" a system like that. I don't mean with
prices, or even actual components, just what type of component to look
for. For example, I have an Athlon computer that isn't being used now
(2600+ @ 1.91 GHz, 512 MB RAM, tower box with capacity for several
hard drives on Promise controller and ECS MB controller)... I'd lke to
add the components that would enable me to use it for an HDTV PDR
system... but have no idea what kind of tuner to start looking for, or
what "version" of Linux I'd need (this computer is presently set up
for dual boot, Win XP Home and Win 98SE... I use it for running all of
my "old" apps that I kept around after putting together my present
computer).

Like I said, I used a Duron 1600, so your system should be more than fine,
but you really need a video card that supports XvMC (Helps decode mep2).
All you need is one or more tuner cards and the software. I use the old
Air2PC cards that you can buy on ebay fror $25 or less (last one I got for
$22). These work great for OTA, but won't do QAM (for clear cable/sat). If
you want/need QAM, then you'll have to look for the cheapest that'll work.
One that works is the Dvico HDTV models. Whatever you get, make sure
it's supported by linux. So get however many you want and install them.
Then get one of the Linux distros that auto configures the box for an HTPC
with MythTV. Knoppmyth and Mythdora are a couple I've used. You can
download these for free and burn the installation CD. Then boot them and
use the auto install. If you decide to do this, use the MythTV newsgroup
(alt.video.ptv.mythtv). There's also lots and lots of info in the links
below.

--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
http://mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth.html Usenet alt.video.ptv.mythtv
My server http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php
HD Tivo S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

wrote:
Thumper wrote:

I can't imagine sitting in front of a computer watching DVDs.

why not?

I did precisely that last weekend with Cinderella Man. The
up-conversion in the computer appears to be quite good when displayed
on the Samsung DLP which is that computers 'monitor'. DVI-D interface.

I need to do check out that Oppo DVD I'm reading about but I have a
hard time believing it will be noticeably better than the PC.

As for TV listings without internet acces on the HTPC, I spend a couple
of minutes at work during lunch checking out that nights fare. When I
get home, I set up the recording(s) if needed. No internet access on
the TV computer. No possibility of virus.

GG

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

On Sat, 05 Aug 2006 11:48:47 -0400, Thumper
wrote:

On Sat, 05 Aug 2006 10:01:35 -0400, "Elmo P. Shagnasty"
wrote:

In article ,
wrote:

If you buy a computer and don't hook it to the net and set it up once,
where's the worry about viruses and things changing?

How would it gets it programming info if not hooked to
the Net?

You can watch TV without a programming guide.

You can also watch DVDs without a programming guide.


I can't imagine sitting in front of a computer watching DVDs.
Thumper

You might imagine that if you had a wife who wanted to watch
your TV receiver when you wanted to watch a DVD.

Your computer's stereo audio system may be superior to the one
in your TV receiver.

This is a reason to have your computer and TV receiver
in separate rooms.

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

I can't imagine sitting in front of a computer watching DVDs.

Sorry, but there's no other way to watch a DVD. You can use
either a dedicated computer (AKA "DVD player") or a
general-purpose computer. Both do the job -- though with
somewhat different feature sets.

I occasionally watch DVDs on my laptop. The 1400x1000 LCD display
is absolutely gorgeous, and the upscaling is perfect. DVDs
also look damned nice played through that same laptop upscaled
to 1024x768 and fed to a DLP projector.

--
Grant Edwards grante Yow! .. the HIGHWAY is
at made out of LIME JELLO and
visi.com my HONDA is a barbequed
OYSTER! Yum!

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

On Sat, 05 Aug 2006 16:11:35 GMT, Wes Newell
wrote:

On Sat, 05 Aug 2006 08:36:03 -0500, Charlie Hoffpauir wrote:

I wonder if you would "spec out" a system like that. I don't mean with
prices, or even actual components, just what type of component to look
for. For example, I have an Athlon computer that isn't being used now
(2600+ @ 1.91 GHz, 512 MB RAM, tower box with capacity for several
hard drives on Promise controller and ECS MB controller)... I'd lke to
add the components that would enable me to use it for an HDTV PDR
system... but have no idea what kind of tuner to start looking for, or
what "version" of Linux I'd need (this computer is presently set up
for dual boot, Win XP Home and Win 98SE... I use it for running all of
my "old" apps that I kept around after putting together my present
computer).

Like I said, I used a Duron 1600, so your system should be more than fine,
but you really need a video card that supports XvMC (Helps decode mep2).
All you need is one or more tuner cards and the software. I use the old
Air2PC cards that you can buy on ebay fror $25 or less (last one I got for
$22). These work great for OTA, but won't do QAM (for clear cable/sat). If
you want/need QAM, then you'll have to look for the cheapest that'll work.
One that works is the Dvico HDTV models. Whatever you get, make sure
it's supported by linux. So get however many you want and install them.
Then get one of the Linux distros that auto configures the box for an HTPC
with MythTV. Knoppmyth and Mythdora are a couple I've used. You can
download these for free and burn the installation CD. Then boot them and
use the auto install. If you decide to do this, use the MythTV newsgroup
(alt.video.ptv.mythtv). There's also lots and lots of info in the links
below.

Great... that's just the kind of information I was looking for. (I
don't need/want QAM, I just want to record OTA locals here in the
Houston area.I'm marginal on OTA to my new HDTV with an old
multichannel Yagi antenna in the attic, so when I put this together
I'll probably add a small antenna on the roof).

Charlie Hoffpauir
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~charlieh/

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

On Sat, 05 Aug 2006 11:48:47 -0400, Thumper wrote:

I can't imagine sitting in front of a computer watching DVDs.
Thumper

If you've ever watched a DVD, you've done exactly that. What do you thinks
inside a dvd player? It's just another limited access computer.

--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
http://mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth.html Usenet alt.video.ptv.mythtv
My server http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php
HD Tivo S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

On Sat, 05 Aug 2006 12:32:06 -0500, Charlie Hoffpauir wrote:

Great... that's just the kind of information I was looking for. (I
don't need/want QAM, I just want to record OTA locals here in the
Houston area.I'm marginal on OTA to my new HDTV with an old
multichannel Yagi antenna in the attic, so when I put this together
I'll probably add a small antenna on the roof).

For OTA digital, the antenna is the most important part. The old uhf/vhf
antenna I had in the attic wouldn't pick up some of the digital stations
when I first went digital. The antenna was probably rated for 30 miles and
I'm 45 miles from the towers. One digital station was on vhf 9 and I got
it ok but some of the UHF stations wouldn't come in, I just added a 8 bay
UHF antenna to the mix and everything comes in great now. I went ahead and
moved it to the roof too. If it weren't for that one station I could have
completely removed the vhf/uhf combo antenna. You've got a couple of
those in your area too. Houston PBS is on 9 and i in Conroe is on 5.

--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
http://mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth.html Usenet alt.video.ptv.mythtv
My server http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php
HD Tivo S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

"G-squared" wrote:

As for TV listings without internet acces on the HTPC, I spend a couple
of minutes at work during lunch checking out that nights fare. When I
get home, I set up the recording(s) if needed. No internet access on
the TV computer. No possibility of virus.

Ahh.....Ok didn't know you could do that!

I assumed that Myth "needed" Net access to work at all

If it doesn't.... that's even better as with no
connection to the Net there is no chance for virus
infection. Yes?

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

wrote:
"G-squared" wrote:

As for TV listings without internet acces on the HTPC, I spend a
couple
of minutes at work during lunch checking out that nights fare. When
I
get home, I set up the recording(s) if needed. No internet access
on
the TV computer. No possibility of virus.

Ahh.....Ok didn't know you could do that!

I assumed that Myth "needed" Net access to work at all

If it doesn't.... that's even better as with no
connection to the Net there is no chance for virus
infection. Yes?

I am not a MythTV user but use the ATI software from their website for
the HDTV Wonder. As Wes pointed out, MythTV requires a Linux system
which has virtually no problems with viruses.

Hey Wes, can you manually program MythTV with no internet access? (I
expect the answer is yes)

GG

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

On 2006-08-06, wrote:
"G-squared" wrote:

As for TV listings without internet acces on the HTPC, I spend a couple
of minutes at work during lunch checking out that nights fare. When I
get home, I set up the recording(s) if needed. No internet access on
the TV computer. No possibility of virus.

Ahh.....Ok didn't know you could do that!

I assumed that Myth "needed" Net access to work at all

If it doesn't.... that's even better as with no connection to
the Net there is no chance for virus infection. Yes?

Even with Myth connected to the Internet, there is no chance for
virus infection.

It's not MS-Windows, you know.

--
Grant Edwards

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

On 2006-08-06, G-squared wrote:
wrote:
"G-squared" wrote:

As for TV listings without internet acces on the HTPC, I spend a
couple
of minutes at work during lunch checking out that nights fare. When
I
get home, I set up the recording(s) if needed. No internet access
on
the TV computer. No possibility of virus.

Ahh.....Ok didn't know you could do that!

I assumed that Myth "needed" Net access to work at all

If it doesn't.... that's even better as with no
connection to the Net there is no chance for virus
infection. Yes?

I am not a MythTV user but use the ATI software from their website for
the HDTV Wonder. As Wes pointed out, MythTV requires a Linux system
which has virtually no problems with viruses.

Hey Wes, can you manually program MythTV with no internet access? (I
expect the answer is yes)

Sure, but it's much nicer with a program guide (you can
download the program guide material on a different computer and
transfer them via via USB flash-drive or some other media if
you want).

--
Grant Edwards

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

On Sat, 05 Aug 2006 22:03:50 -0500, me wrote:

I assumed that Myth "needed" Net access to work at all

It doesn't, but if you have internet access it would be plain stupid not
ot use it.
If it doesn't.... that's even better as with no connection to the Net
there is no chance for virus infection. Yes?

There no chance of an infection if you connect it to 1000 nets. Linux
isn't Windows. AFAIK, the only virus protection software for Linux is
software that removes windows viruses so if you have windows machine
connected, they won't get infected. Viruses are one reason I've never run
windows on my own machines. That and I just don't see the point in making
an unethical crook any richer than what he already is. I wouldn't run
windows if it were free either. In fact, I've got several legitimate
versions given to me by the place I worked last. I still won't run it.

--
Want the ultimate in free OTA SD/HDTV Recorder? http://mythtv.org
http://mysettopbox.tv/knoppmyth.html Usenet alt.video.ptv.mythtv
My server http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/cpu.php
HD Tivo S3 compared http://wesnewell.no-ip.com/mythtivo.htm

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

Charlie Hoffpauir wrote:
I wonder if you would "spec out" a system like that. I don't mean with
prices, or even actual components, just what type of component to look
for.

Take a look at StormLogic's Dragon high definition-capable prebuilt
MythTV system (URL:http://mythic.tv/dragon_FAQ.php). StormLogic
publishes all the specs for those who want to build one themselves.

I'm not Wes; for one, I'd like to think I'm, well, less antagonistic
than he is. Howver, he has a point when he says that MythTV works, and
works well, for those who are interested in a "HD TiVo" without any of
TiVo's limitations. I must admit to chuckling whenever I see a
question here or elsewhere asking how to record from a HD video source
with a computer in terms that make it clear the poster, and the
non-Wes respondents, view the task as something akin to cavement
discovering fire.

May I suggest searching the archives of the mythtv-users list (*the*
single-greatest archive--along with URL:http://wiki.mythtv.org/--of
MythTV information; sadly, alt.video.ptv.mythtv is horribly
undertrafficked by comparison) for 'yeechang "my experience with"'? I
try in these messages to talk about the benefits MythTV brings to my
life, as opposed to the usual spate of "Why isn't this working?" moans
and groans.
URL:http://www.gossamer-threads.com/lists/mythtv/users/208553#208553
is an example.

--
URL:http://www.pobox.com/~ylee/ PERTH ---- *

Homemade 2.8TB RAID 5 storage array:
URL:http://groups.google.ca/groups?selm=slrnd1g04a.5mt.ylee%40pobox.com

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

What abt using a SlingBox device?

How does it compare to say a Myth machine?

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

Wes Newell wrote:

It doesn't, but if you have internet access it would be plain stupid not
ot use it.

Understood

But if I lived way out in the woods in a cabin ... I
may not HAVE any Net access. Hence the question.

And yes....I'm thinking abt buying a cabin near a lake
with no Net access so its not just a hypothetical
question

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

On Sat, 05 Aug 2006 16:11:35 GMT, Wes Newell
wrote:

snip
Like I said, I used a Duron 1600, so your system should be more than fine,
but you really need a video card that supports XvMC (Helps decode mep2).
All you need is one or more tuner cards and the software. I use the old
Air2PC cards that you can buy on ebay fror $25 or less (last one I got for
$22). These work great for OTA, but won't do QAM (for clear cable/sat). If
you want/need QAM, then you'll have to look for the cheapest that'll work.
One that works is the Dvico HDTV models. Whatever you get, make sure
it's supported by linux. So get however many you want and install them.
Then get one of the Linux distros that auto configures the box for an HTPC
with MythTV. Knoppmyth and Mythdora are a couple I've used. You can
download these for free and burn the installation CD. Then boot them and
use the auto install. If you decide to do this, use the MythTV newsgroup
(alt.video.ptv.mythtv). There's also lots and lots of info in the links
below.

Wes,

Me again with another question...

I tried downloading Knoppmyth, but I'm on Hughesnet (formerly
DirecWay) satellite service, and so am subjected to FAP on large
downloads. If the file is around 700 MB (as it seems to be) that will
take me over 24 hours of continuous download to get it. Do you know of
any site that will mail a CD of the file?

Charlie Hoffpauir
http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.com/~charlieh/

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

On Sat, 05 Aug 2006 11:06:28 -0500, wrote:

Thumper wrote:

I can't imagine sitting in front of a computer watching DVDs.

why not?


It's not a pleasant experience for me.
Thumper

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

On Sat, 05 Aug 2006 17:10:12 GMT, wrote:

On Sat, 05 Aug 2006 11:48:47 -0400, Thumper
wrote:

On Sat, 05 Aug 2006 10:01:35 -0400, "Elmo P. Shagnasty"
wrote:

In article ,
wrote:

If you buy a computer and don't hook it to the net and set it up once,
where's the worry about viruses and things changing?

How would it gets it programming info if not hooked to
the Net?

You can watch TV without a programming guide.

You can also watch DVDs without a programming guide.


I can't imagine sitting in front of a computer watching DVDs.
Thumper

You might imagine that if you had a wife who wanted to watch
your TV receiver when you wanted to watch a DVD.


I have more than one TV.

Your computer's stereo audio system may be superior to the one
in your TV receiver.


I have a sound system.
This is a reason to have your computer and TV receiver
in separate rooms.


They are.
Thumper

Using computer as HD tv redux
 

On Sat, 05 Aug 2006 17:17:32 -0000, Grant Edwards
wrote:


I can't imagine sitting in front of a computer watching DVDs.

Sorry, but there's no other way to watch a DVD. You can use
either a dedicated computer (AKA "DVD player") or a
general-purpose computer. Both do the job -- though with
somewhat different feature sets.

I occasionally watch DVDs on my laptop. The 1400x1000 LCD display
is absolutely gorgeous, and the upscaling is perfect. DVDs
also look damned nice played through that same laptop upscaled
to 1024x768 and fed to a DLP projector.

You are entitled top your opinion.
Thumper