Axiom Home Page Forums General Discussion Home Theater Another HTPC question. Output to multiple TVs?

OK. I am working on getting my wife convinced that "we" need a HTPC. My question right now is can a HTPC be set up to output to multiple TVs?

One of the main goals is to be able to possibly replace the DVR that came with our current DISH Network system that allows us to record 2 shows while playing back 2 others at the same time on 2 different TVs...

Is that possible? If not, then I might as well stop looking into a HTPC since I am working on a cost savings model here (drop DISH, go with cable TV with no DVR, saves $25 a month, we wanted a DVR with DVD Recorder, another $400 "savings", I want HD Over The Air, so I could integrate that into the HTPC, a wash in price, but one less "box"...) You get the idea. If I can "save" enough, I can afford the HTPC. But it needs to do what I am asking about above...

OK. 48 views, and no replies.... Does any of our HTPC experts here have an answer or a place to point me to for this?

Thanks again.

You can record 2 shows at once, but you are going to need more than 1 TV tuner card in your HTPC. If you want to record 2 at once, you will need 2 tuner cards. However, you will only be able to watch the channels that are being recorded. If you want more freedom, you are going to need another TV-Tuner card.

An HTPC can be set up to output to multiple TV's, but not different channels...I don't think. An HTPC is really meant to power one, Hi-Def TV. I'll try to look into this more, there might be software that allows you to ouput to multiple TV's much like different "monitors" on a computer. Even if you did get it set up, it would be tricky because you could only control the HTPC in one room, and etc.

P.S. Looked into it some, doubtful at the moment...

Yeah, I know all about the multiple tuner cards to record multiple shows. My rambling on above must have confused everyone.

Anyway, you are right on the mark that I want to output to multiple recordings to multiple TVs. THAT is the big question.

As of right now that is not doable with one htpc (and even less the case with HDTV). The only solution that is comparable is having a media server where your recordings would be stored and access those recordings from different rooms, but that requires each TV to have a client machine to receive and play the recording...

So it would definitely require more than one pc for sure (or any other kind of device/media extender).

Makes me wonder how people can justify building HTPCs. I understand that DVD playback should be better, and you can have massive storage (at a cost too, though) for movies and music, but from what I hear, it is best to keep the install "clean" by not installing games or other unneeded applications...
For $1500++++ minimum, it seems like I could buy a couple DVRs with DVD recorders on them, a HDTV tuner for my home theater, and save the extra cash. Granted, the DVRs would be segregated from each other. I don't have a collection of MP3s or anything, so that isn't a factor...

Man, I was really looking (even though my bank account tells me otherwise) for a reason to push to get a HTPC.

That's why a HTPC shouldn't be built just because... Not everybody needs one. To me it only makes sense if someone needs total control over video filters, tv recording, and media streaming accross a network etc... HTPC's require a lot of tweaking (that is the price to pay for extreme customization), so if you're not willing to spend that much time then I wouldn't recommend it. HTPC's allow you to design and build a sophisticated home video/audio system for the whole home for a fraction of the cost of a full blown commercial application, but they're more expensive in time taken to set it all up (not a piece of cake).

Also the whole HDTV/HDCP deal complicates the issue (though I'm pretty confident that workaround will be found).

Hi,

Sky is pretty much right. In order to have a htpc setup that will do what you already you'll to have 2 pc's. Server with 4 tv cards. Client no need for tv cards. Can set up on a wireless network. Server can be controlled from any room...rf remote or through remote with your Elite using zones. You'll also need an input/box for each tuner.

Cost wise your going to be hard pressed to overcome the wife factor. Unless you already have 2 pc's? Then it's only the cost of the tv cards and software to run it all. For me getting over the WF is realizing that ou have much more that a TV with htpc's IE watch a tv show while surfing the web or having an IM with a friend talking about how cute character XX is..hehe.

Now that I'm thinkin about it I quess you could use one pc using each tv as a monitor using dualview it would be a bear to set it up so it's even close to wife friendly though.

If you haven't yet check out Snapstream.com. Loads of info in thier foruum.

Hope this helps,
Leaf

I don't think the issue with my wife will be the cost factor. And I don't know that I "need" one when the time comes, but I don't have Tivo or anything like that yet and would prefer to go the HTPC route when the time comes mostly because I'm into computers and think it would be fun to play with.

That being said, when I mentioned it to my wife her comment was something to the affect of, "I don't want a computer sitting down there with the TV and other things. It won't look nice."

So, do any of the recommended quiet HTPC cases have a stylish look that would blend in well with the other equipment, instead of looking like you have a computer sitting there? I told her we could tuck it away in the corner, but I don't know if she's buying that.

You can do exactly what you want with MCE 2005.

Buy or build your main HTPC with MCE2005 then go buy an extender for it. There are a few out there, I know Linksys has one and the xbox and xbox360 can act as an extender. Basically what they will do is act as a front end so if you have stuff recorded on the main MCE box the extenders can play it back.

I currently have x2 SDTV and x1 HDTV tuners in my MCE box. I've been using all 3 tuners to record and played back a show I had recorded with no trouble at all (6600 & P4 3Ghz HT). One of the Microsoft MCE developers has a well know blog where he said he had something like x8 tuners running in his box. Just a easy registery setting change to allow it (and the hardware).

HTPC is deinitely a hobby to most but its quickly becomming a bit more mainstream. Microsoft is really driving it right now, I can't wait for Vista MCE.

Anyone have a couple of XBox 360's that they want to give me? I'll even pay for shipping to help you get rid of them so that they aren't taking up space at your house. Really, this is for your benefit, more than mine.

Well I just bought a xbox off a friend so I will likely be trying out the extender software once I get it.

Man I've been spending WAY to much money this year.

That's what this hobby does to you. That's why I picked the avatar I did.

If your going to build your own system.
There are alot of nice cases comeing to the market. Just doing a search brought up this page
http://www.atxcases.com/item.asp?category=75&desc=desktops
I have the SilverStone Lascala SST-LC01 Silver It looks pretty good in my component cabnet. But there are much better looking ones out there now. Some of the higher priced ones look like a piece of stereo equipment.

Silverstone makes nice cases, but their customer service is almost the exact opposite of Axiom's. Very little feedback, slow response when you get any, etc, etc. They did eventually fix my problem, but I had to push.

Have had good luck with Ahanix cases, just recieved a second MCE-601 last week and no issues with it. The first one had a defective power light LED, contacted them and had the replacement part within a few days. Ordered from Directron.com and have had good dleivery times from them.

When I ordered my case from Directron it arrived totally busted and broken (thanks UPS ) and Directron sent me a brand new one the next day! I've purchased a lot from them and they have never disappointed me! And since they're based in Houston I get next day delivery for the price of ground!

For an extra $5 they offer double boxing, that seems to slow down UPS from destroying things.

Nice! That's the type of thing I'll be looking for. If it blends right in and just looks like another component that objection should be off the list.

She's mentioned interest in Tivo before, so I think she would like the functionality a HTPC would bring as well. It just needs to be easy for her to use. Hopefully the Harmony remote can help there.

The Ahanix MCE-601 is in the left rack, second component from the top. Just finished building another HTPC this week and will post some pics of it if there is interest in it.

Do show.

I couldn't live without my HTPC anymore. I don't have a dog so this guy is man's best friend.

Will try and get the pics posted before I take off for Axiom, to many projects keep showing up here.

That's true! There is double boxing, but I'm so cheap... Well they shipped me a brand new case double boxed at no cost for me... I have to say that's good customer service!

Do most people put a DVD drive in the HTPC and watch movies from that, or still use a separate DVD player and just use the HTPC for recording TV and a music library?

I'm trying to plan ahead for whatever shelf unit I get and want to make sure I have space for everything.

Depending on how you build your HTPC having the DVD player in it is the best part (perhaps tied with DVR functions). With the right configuration it will be one of the best upscaling DVD players you can get.

Would I be able to have the DVD in the HTPC also play SACD, or because of the apparent need for the 6 different connections for SACD back to the receiver would that be an issue?

If I could do SACD as well, I could replace the 2 DVD players (one was bought later just for SACD) as well as the VCR with one component. That would be a nice way to free up some space.

As far as I know there isn't any software to play SACDs with your HTPC. I'm sure somebody will gladly correct me if I'm wrong .

CD is based on a digital sampling method called PCM (Pulse Code Modulation). It takes a 16-bit snapshot 44,100 times a second. DVD-Audio has created more options with the ability to do 24-bit samples up to 192,000 times a second.

SACD is based on a completely different technology called DSD (Direct Stream Digital). This uses a 1-bit sample taken 2,400,000 (roughly) times a second.

So at the very basic level of sound card technology, DSD is not even supported. It has only now begun to penetrate the high end recording studios. Even DAWs (Digital Audio Workstations) such as Pro Tools cannot yet record DSD material.

All that said, the first thing we need standard in all computers to play SACDs is for the sound cards to support DSD. I believe that is part of the new Azalia standard others are talking about. Once that becomes standard on PCs, then we will begin to see the ability to play SACDs on the computer.

http://anandtech.com/multimedia/showdoc.aspx?i=2079

So my DVD-A's will work (and Dualdisc I assume), but not SACD, correct? If so, I can live with that. I think the only 5.1 disc I have in SACD format is DSOTM.

yes DVD-A is supported as long as the hardware and software support it.
http://www.soundblaster.com/musiclistening/
I thought DSOTM is on DVD-A format?
don't quote me on this but I think SACD is still at 4.7 GB unl. The data for DSD stereo and multichannel is small enough to be put on a single DVD layer. DSD stereo can practically be put on a mini-SACD. DSD multichannel takes up a lot more space.
You might have a Hybrid and that same SACD might have a hidden tracks that can be played on a regular Cd/DVd player. Try it on a DVD player and see if you get anything.

The DSOTM SACD definitely has a stereo CD compatibility track. Sounds darned good too !

Saturn, thank you so much for that explanation!

I aspired to replace my standalone DVD player with a HTPC and ultimately gave up. I know it's ME, not the technology. I ended up making some choices that made the configuration and operation more difficult than it probably should be, and these things do tend to evolve.

I am using a Gigabyte Nvidia 6600 128MB card. I am running XP Pro, not MCE. I had trouble with not only hacking a remote control path together (Irmon? Ira-3? Imon? USB-UIRT? Software?!?!), but also with getting good video fidelity using the available Nvidia software tools. I'm sure there are solutions in the context of my setup, but ultimately, I chose the small footprint and easy functionality of a standalone player for now because I didn't feel like spending the time.

But, you know, this is clearly fodder for future tinkering.

Your not the only person I heard had some issues with the NVidea software. I think the latest copy of their software has some issues. I'm still using the 5 year old NVDVD 2.5 version and it scales amazingly and video quality is as good as the latest version FDDSHOW and DSCALER.

Good info on the SACD's...

I have a 256MB 6600 with 81.98 MCE drivers (last ones before they merged MCE and reg XP drivers together) and Purevideo 1.02-196. Works outstandly.

The ones I heard with issues are from the XP boxes. Unfortunately I don't have MCE to compare. I might look into this. So what version should I only be updating to for MCE? What is the build of MCE? I definitely want to step up to Purevideo and see if PQ is much higher. I know when I first tried it a while back trial version Purevideo DVD player was working properly but Window Media Player 10 would not play any DVD's. This was during its first week of launch so I just reverted back to NVDVD 2.5 and did not look into it again.

(sorry been out of town working)

The only negative I've found with PureVideo was when I first used it I had some trouble with recorded TV. Honestly exactly what the issue was escapes me at the moment as I found opening the properties of the decoder and changing some of the deinterlacing options fixed the problem for me.

One nice thin about the NV decoder is it seems once you buy it, your key will work on new versions as they come out. I've never confirmed if it's suppose to be that way, but never the less it is.