Good day
Is it possible to replace a pre/pro with a PC? I've been thinking about this. I still would use my 5 channel power amplifier and my Star Choice HD satellite receiver. Can anyone recommend the following for the PC?

1. A good video card with HDMI output for 1080p
2. A good Sound card with 7 channel outputs to connect to the power amplifier.
3. A Blu-Ray player
4. Large Hard Drive
5. How do I connect my Satellite receiver to the PC, It would need an HDMI or component (component input would have to transpose to HDMI) and a coaxial input. This is the part I am having the most trouble with.
6. Software that would allow configuration, volume, time delay, and equalization of each speaker, codec’s to play the latest video files and support for the true audio formats.
7, Software that could also record from my satellite receiver would be a plus.
8. Making it all work with my URC remote.

Am I missing anyting?

What would such a PC cost?

thoughts???

paul

I was waiting for #5. If you didn't list it, I was going to bring it up, but you did list it, and with a proper "trouble" label. I'll get the HDMI out of the way first. You're absolutely not going to find an HDMI input which has HDCP decoding. So you can stop you search for that one. So it comes down to component video. You can find a few high def component capture boards, but most are not designed for real time routing of video, let alone enabling any processing of the video. Really with satellite you're pretty much out of luck. With cable there are finally some CableCARD enabled tuners showing up which would allow you to plug the cable right into the back of the PC, but no such thing for satellite (although they had promised it years ago).

Windows 7 actually takes care of #6 for you now. That used to be a hard point too, but not any more.


I used to have this dream too. But I've given up on it now. My recommendation is get a receiver, and get nice, silent HTPC with a Blu-ray drive, and a video card which supports video and multi-channel PCM audio over HDMI. That way you can do all the PC stuff on the machine, but still the receiver handles the digital to analog conversion, room correction, pre-amplification, and driving the speakers (or get a pre-pro and the power amps you want).

I'm only starting to dream about the PC HT, but IMO anything that's missing as of right now should be coming down the pike within the next few years I would think. I know Bill Gates was talking heavily about PC HT's, and all of the stuff Window's 7 includes for such a project really shows me that they're serious about it.

I have a question about #7, couldn't you hook the satelite up to your TV, then run an HDMI connect to your computer that would carry the sound to be distributed around in 7.1, and the picture to be recorded on the DVR?

This is somewhat similar to what I'm doing with my computer. My main computer (I have 3) isn't connected directly to the reciever, I have HDMI running from my computer to the TV. Then I have an HDMI out running from the TV to the reciever. It works perfectly, the only issue I have is I can't turn the TV off when listening to music. When the power is cut to the TV, there is no pass through (at least not on my Sharp Aquos series). So that might be a hitch, in order for the computer to record a show you may have to have the TV turned on.

Your TV has an HDMI out? What's the model?

But it doesn't matter anyway. No one is allowed to make an HDMI input for a PC which support HDCP (there are a few DVI input capture cards, but as I said, no HDCP). They don't want you being able to record anything at all that comes over HDMI. Part of the HDCP license is that the licensee will not allow unencrypted signals to be accessed. If someone violates that license their chips will be blacklisted, and the next firmware update to the sending device will prevent them from handshaking.

I don't know well a PC would do replacing a preamp/receiver but for many years now my HT has been:

HTPC
AVR
TV
Speakers

I love the simplicity of this setup. Being able to do everything in one place and do it very well is awesome. Now that Ceton and Silicon Dust have cablecard tuners coming out I will be able to (finnaly) add full HD to the HTPC (I currently just get the clear QAM channels in HD). I've become a bit of a GUI snob in that anything other than MCE drives me crazy. I DISPISE DVR's from cable and satilite companies along with stand alone DVD/BD players, etc.

Does the Silicon Dust one do HD over cable like the Ceton will do (in two days when it comes out)?

Ya the new HDHomeRun CC will be a two tuner device that connects to your network. If you are familar with their current offerings, it will be exactly the same but work off a cablecard instead of ATSC/ClearQAM. I'm dying for it to come out.

Is there an expected release date and MSRP? Ceton tomorrow!

The Ceton card is definitely launching first, but I don't expect the HDHomerunCC to be too long, maybe May. I can wait until football season myself.

Ceton card reviewed, available in May (thou I'm probably waiting for the HDHRCC)

http://hd.engadget.com/2010/03/30/ceton-infinitv-4-cablecard-tuner-review/

HTPC fans can be heard rejoicing

Damn, this thread has more acronyms in it than an SOB!

Huh....I thought it was supposed to be available today. I'll check out the review anyway.

May 31st new date. Pre=orders available

This card finally got released (not sure how long ago, just checked for status today). Did anyone get it? I'm wondering how it is working.

There is a boat load of posts on "thegreenbutton" most love it, most ant problems originate with the cable companies.

Hopefully I'll get mine in 2 weeks pre-ordered May 4th

Jeff