Help with HTPC need please

[biohazarduk]

Im planing on building a linux or windows based HTPC to sit next to my TV, I have experience building PCs but none with TV cards. What I was hopping to do was build a custom starview/eurovox style PC that would still have the abbility to surf the web download/replay torrents, decode cable (VM ex telewest area) and have record/timeshift.

Can anyone tell me please if this possible and what extra HW/SW would be needed on top of a basic linux/windows box. Thanks

[Confused Stu]

Hi Biohazarduk. A month or so ago I was in the same position as you - I've built PCs but never used a TV card! My HTPC is not completed yet (cable not fully integrated) but here's my experiences so far:

I would strongly suggest using Vista's Premium Edition. This has an MPEG2 decoder and VMC already built in - both very useful. If youre Freeview reception is strong enough, just stick in Hauppauge's Nova-T 500 and VMC will be off and running - it's got two tuners so you can watch one Freeview channel andrecord another (or record two). Simple to install, just follow VMCs setup options and you can't go wrong.

If your Freeview reception isn't good enough (mine turned out not to quite be enough), or you watch lots of non-freeview channels on the cable, then we're going to have to get cable running through the HTPC. To do this, we're going to need a card to receive the cable input. These are known as DVB-C for cable (like DVB-T for freeview and DVB-S for satellite). The main two options are a TechnoTrend C-1501 or a FloppyDTV. The Technotrend is cheaper, but those with a FloppyDTV rave over them. I'm currently running a TT C-1501.

Now that you've got the cable coming into the computer, you need some software that knows what to do with it. I'm using DVB Dream and that was really easy to set up. To scan for the channels, you'll need the list of transponders - have a look in the stickies for a download link and you should find them on there. in DVB Dream's Transponder folder, you should find a 5000.ini file - rename it to 5000.ini.old (in case you need it) and drop in the 5000.ini from the download section. Now open DVB Dream and run a scan using the 5000 option and it'll pick up all your channels and you can start watching the unencrypted ones (BBC, ITV, etc).

To receive the encrypted channels, you're going to need use a softcam - a software that decrypts the channels. Most people seem to use vplug. Use the installer to install it to DVB Dream's Plugins/PIP0 folder. Install the Chatterbox internet Toolbar - you'll see why when you've installed it. Open DVBDream and select an encrypted channel, then click Plugins > vlpug > Show Monitor. Make a note of the P-ID number at the top (you did remember to select an encrypted channel, didn't you?). Click in the blue icon in the top right. At the bottom of the screen, type in N in the name, then type the P-ID you wrote down into the Provider ID, then 00 in the key index, before finally typing in the 00 key. Click Add New. Now do exactly the same with key index 01 and type in that key, then click Add New. Your encrypted channel should now be playing.

The next stage is installing a Hardcam to decrypt the channels without using the software plug in. For that, you're going to need a CAM interface (built into the FloppyDTV, optional extra for the C-1501), the correct type of CAM with the correct firmware, a card capable of being read/written and a card programmer. I'm just at the step of ordering these parts, so I can't offer any advice on it yet!

Hope that helps.

[biohazarduk]

Thanks Stu

Just been looking at technotrends website and see they do a pack with the C1501 + CI for about 90 euros works out about £70 instead of £130 for the floppydtv not quite sure what to do. Think I might upgrade my PC first from the Duel Core AMD to a Quad Core Phenom and use the old parts for HTPC as vistas a bit power hungry dont think a ITX/Mini Atx could cope with vista.

[Confused Stu]

I went for Technotrend's C-1501 and CI together. The only "problem" I've got is the CI takes up another PCI slot and my motherboard's only got 2. Although it doesn't actually use the PCI, it uses it to hold it in place and the cable to the C-1501 isn't long enough to go anywhere else! This means if I want to add a second tuner then I'm going to have problems, where the Floppy DTV only uses one slot. Still, that's a problem for later on!

For my HTPC, I'm using a microATX motherboard - Gigagbyte GA-MA78GM-S2H and an Athlon X2 4850e. I've not run into any problems running Vista or displaying 720p (my TVs only a 32 incher, no 1080 for me!), and during normal TV watching, I never break 30% CPU usage - usually 15%-20%. I also love the fact I don't need a graphics card for HDMI, but I did team it with 4Gb RAM just in case (RAM's cheap). It would be different if I was looking to game or do lots of heavy CPU work, but that's what my desktop in the other room is for!

Anyway, good luck with the decision mate - I fell in love with the idea of an HTPC, then the Antec Fusion case, then worked out the components to go in it (in that order).

[biohazarduk]

That is a very nice case esp. in black would go nice with a black LCD/Plasma. Thanks again for your help Stu got lots of thinking to do now.