2012-08-21, 03:59
I have kicked around the idea of using Win7 and WMC on a desktop ever since I first used it on a laptop.
Well I think I am ready but after hours of researching, I have learned a lot but feel I am ready for some advice or to be pushed in a certain direction. I am more comfortable with tech than most, but this is a new world to me, so please bear with me. I want to accomplish a few things:
Get rid of my cable box from TimeWarner and use my HTPC for live TV and recording.
Use the HTPC for other media, mainly 1080p movie files.
Have a Windows device in my entertainment center to run a few programs on my TV that I use that need Windows.
Have a secondary storage in my entertainment center within the HTPC or next to it for storage of media files and the backup of a few small files. (2-3TB)
So firstly, should I have a large HD in the HTPC or one in the entertainment center next to it (such as the WD my book live)? Could other computers and tablets access the files on the HTPC if it is hooked into the router and act similar to the WD My Book Live? I guess that is what is appealing to me about something like the WD My Book Live.
Next, I am not ruling out building an HTPC but I rather purchase one or purchase and slightly modify rather than build from scratch. After researching many net-top type units that claim to be for HTPC use, it seems maybe just buying a desktop would be better for me especially considering I want to use this for PVR use? Seems like a desktop would give me more computer power, as well as option and upgrade flexibility. Am I right in this thought? What are the specs I should be looking for? Any popular models that are used?
The Ceton InfiniTV seems to be a great product and what I need to use my TimeWarner cable for premium channels as well as record multiples? This should fit in anything with a PCI slot?
Lastly, I will want to control all this with my Logitech Harmony remote, just as I use it to control everything else in the living room. How will this be possible for watching TV with the HTPC? .. Obviously it will still work with the RF signal to the TV, but can or how will it interact with the computer running Windows Media Center or XBMC?
I guess that is all for now. What else am I missing or no thinking of? Thanks so much in advance.
Well I think I am ready but after hours of researching, I have learned a lot but feel I am ready for some advice or to be pushed in a certain direction. I am more comfortable with tech than most, but this is a new world to me, so please bear with me. I want to accomplish a few things:
Get rid of my cable box from TimeWarner and use my HTPC for live TV and recording.
Use the HTPC for other media, mainly 1080p movie files.
Have a Windows device in my entertainment center to run a few programs on my TV that I use that need Windows.
Have a secondary storage in my entertainment center within the HTPC or next to it for storage of media files and the backup of a few small files. (2-3TB)
So firstly, should I have a large HD in the HTPC or one in the entertainment center next to it (such as the WD my book live)? Could other computers and tablets access the files on the HTPC if it is hooked into the router and act similar to the WD My Book Live? I guess that is what is appealing to me about something like the WD My Book Live.
Next, I am not ruling out building an HTPC but I rather purchase one or purchase and slightly modify rather than build from scratch. After researching many net-top type units that claim to be for HTPC use, it seems maybe just buying a desktop would be better for me especially considering I want to use this for PVR use? Seems like a desktop would give me more computer power, as well as option and upgrade flexibility. Am I right in this thought? What are the specs I should be looking for? Any popular models that are used?
The Ceton InfiniTV seems to be a great product and what I need to use my TimeWarner cable for premium channels as well as record multiples? This should fit in anything with a PCI slot?
Lastly, I will want to control all this with my Logitech Harmony remote, just as I use it to control everything else in the living room. How will this be possible for watching TV with the HTPC? .. Obviously it will still work with the RF signal to the TV, but can or how will it interact with the computer running Windows Media Center or XBMC?
I guess that is all for now. What else am I missing or no thinking of? Thanks so much in advance.