1st Sys. I know Nothing. Need guidance.

[craigap]

I'm putting together a HTPC and I'm going with sagetv. I just need to make sure I'm using the correct equipment. I would like the ability to record two programs while watching a third, but the catch is I'll only have 2 pci slots available for tuners(unless tuners come in a PCI-E x1 or x4 interface). My thoughts were a dual tuner and a single, but I don't know if that is possible. If it's not then I'll have to settle for two tuners. I'll be recieving a basic cable signal. The case that I might purchase http://www.pcalchemy.com/product_inf...ame/htpc-cases comes with an IR system built in and I was wondering if anyone could tell me if this will work with the tuners (which ever you guys recommend I get) and my Harmony 659 remote.

Also is a sound card absolutely necessary or will onboard audio work.

Thanks.

[PGPfan]

For tuners, you can get a PVR-500 (dual tuner card) with PCI bus. There is a newly released ATI PCI-E based on the 550 chipset that will work also (but is a single tuner). Built in sound should be fine if using the server as your main HTPC, unless you are an audiophile.

More info to come....

-PGPfan

[Polypro]

I'd go with a Theater 550 PCI-E and a PVR500 PCI. That'll leave you a PCI slot free for an HD tuner if/when you can get reception via an antenna...or a wireless PCI card. Onboard sound works fine for me (not an audiophile), I run S/PDIF out to a set of Logitech Z-680's (Z-5450 or 5500 now a days). As for the IR on the Silverstone...no clue. I went the "Guaranteed to work" route with a USB-UIRT and a Harmony 880. I sit too far away to see the VFD and I like having the TV on for music anyway, for the album art, surfing, etc... The LC-17 was inexpensive, high quality, easy to build, and cools great.

P

[Opus4]

The PVR-USB2 tuners work great too -- they don't take up a PCI slot, but then you will have another small box outside the PC. I don't know how bad an external box might be for you, though.

- Andy

[craigap]

Thanks for the lead on the TP 550. I'm thinkinf of getting two of those and an HD Tuner since I just found out I have all the towers within 2 miles of my home. Hopefully I'll get a good signal. One quick question though: I've read in some other places that an HD tuner card can do ATSC and NTSC, but if someone uses Microsoft Media Center Edition then it won't work with NTSC. Does it work with sage for NTSC. Also, would that be NTSC OTA only or could I splice a cabe line into it and record from my cable as well?

Thanks

[paulbeers]

I know my fusion5 Lite can not be used for SDTV and I am pretty sure that the fusion5 Gold card can not be used either. Someone else can verify that. I am pretty sure accross the board that no hd tuners can make use of SDTV (ntsc ota).