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Media Center PC
#325534 10/14/10 06:53 AM
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I'm considering getting cable TV again, and it might be nice to build a PC around the new Ceton quad-tuner card. I've never used the DVR functionality of Windows Media Center, but it would be really handy if I do decide to stick with cable. However, since I don't always want my main PC to be on, it would be nice to have a PC with less power draw but more storage (for DVR, and maybe I'll back up my main PC's data to it as well?) as an always-on device. Some of you have a lot more experience with this sort of thing, so I'll defer to your expertise. How would you build this PC, or what would you do instead of build this PC? Thanks for any feedback you have.

Re: Media Center PC
CV #325535 10/14/10 07:17 AM
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I'm already thinking maybe the upcoming SiliconDust HDHomeRun Prime will be the way to go. Definitely cheaper than building a new PC to do it, and I can just do something else for storage.

Re: Media Center PC
CV #325580 10/14/10 05:03 PM
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How is the SiliconDust HDHomeRun Prime better than the Ceton option?

Re: Media Center PC
Zarak #325599 10/14/10 06:12 PM
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Price. I'd still have to have my PC running in order to share the signal with other devices over Media Center, but the initial cost would be way below building a new PC around the Ceton card. It's only 3 tuners versus Ceton's 4, but I can't foresee ever needing more than 3 active streams in this house. I may not go with any of this, though, if I decide the cable isn't going to be worth it to me.

Re: Media Center PC
CV #325601 10/14/10 06:18 PM
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I'd go with "cable isn't worth it". Unless you watch sports (other than baseball, MLB TV is on the PS3 now), all you need is a good Internet connection to watch just about anything you want. The legal options of Netflix and Hulu Plus are already almost enough. Throw in the less-legal options and you've got just about everything.

Forgot about Amazon Unbox too, while it isn't supported by as many devices, it offers a ton of content (pay-per-view instead of flat rate, though).

Last edited by ClubNeon; 10/14/10 06:20 PM.

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Re: Media Center PC
ClubNeon #325605 10/14/10 06:42 PM
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Good points. My motivation was Conan's new show on TBS, but then the other channels in the Expanded lineup looked like they could be worthwhile. Of course, I already have a lot of stuff to watch, so yeah, cable probably isn't worth it.

I still may want to build a box to back up my PC to, as well as stream media around the house. I still like the looks of the HP MediaSmart servers, as that would probably be the most painless solution for getting the features that I want. What could I gain (and lose) by building my own? Should I wait for a new version of Windows Home Server? I haven't done nearly enough reading.

Re: Media Center PC
CV #325610 10/14/10 06:55 PM
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The only thing to gain by building your own, is the experience of having done so, and being able to pick your exact components.

If you're not looking at a high-end workstation/server, but instead are trying to save money on an average machine, a pre-built is almost always the way to go.

I've never even touched Windows Home Server, so I can't help you there.


Pioneer PDP-5020FD, Marantz SR6011
Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8
Sony PS4, surround backs
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Re: Media Center PC
ClubNeon #325616 10/14/10 07:52 PM
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Wait for a new version of whs.


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Re: Media Center PC
Ken.C #325617 10/14/10 07:54 PM
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Originally Posted By: kcarlile
Wait for a new version of whs.
I have lost track because it is taking them so long. Will it come in a 64-bit version?


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Re: Media Center PC
Henry66 #325618 10/14/10 08:01 PM
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More than likely it'll have a 64-bit version, if it's based off of 2008R2 it may only be 64-bit.


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Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8
Sony PS4, surround backs
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