Looking for a simple PVR solution

[treetopflyer]

I'm hoping that someone here already has knowledge of the right choice of equipment that will suit my needs. I'm looking to move out of the "canned" dvr world (from ReplayTV) and into a PC based DVR.

I guess I'm what you'd call somewhat less than a newbie at this, as I've never attempted anything like it before. I have above average skills with computers as I work on computers and Windows based networks for a living and I know how to connect my home theatre equipment, but my computer and software experience is business related, not multimedia or home theatre related.

Here's what I have for equipment, what I have on hand for computers that I can dedicate to this purpose, and what I'd like this to be capable of doing.

My current hardware:

Sony 52" rear projection with composite, component, and DVI inputs.

Yamaha 5.1 Surround amp

Dish Network standard definition receiver (model 301)
Video server. 3.0ghz Duo Core, 2GB RAM, with 3Tb SATA disk array running XP Pro and Media Player 11 to support UPnP for remote viewing devices

Archos TV+ ("wanna-be" DVR) (makes a great media player, but records only poor quality AVI files)

I've had 4 ReplayTV boxes with lifetime subs on them, but lightning damage has taken the ethernet ports out of them one by one and we lost the last one over the summer. I'm looking to replace one of the replaytv boxes with PC based hardware so that I can pause live TV, record weekly shows, and select movies to record as wanted. I'd love to be able to record up in the living room and store the recording on the video server downstairs without having to manually move it, but that's a wish, not a requirement.

I need to be able to control the dish network 301 receiver with an IR blaster, like the ReplayTV box did and I'd like to be able to control the thing from a remote rather than having to type or use the mouse.

I'd also like to be able to record from a Netflix (Roku) box and save the recording in an MPEG-2, AVI, or DivX of good quality for storage on my video server so that it can be played back by other UPnP devices on my home network and I'd like to be able to connect output from a camcorder to a set of aux inputs and record from the camcorder. My yamaha amp has A/V switching on it, so I can use that to switch to the Roku box or the aux inputs for the camcorder. I don't need multiple inputs.

I have 2 computers that I could dedicate either one to this project.

One is a 2.2Ghz duo core P4, but it's a compact (mini-pc) that's built from laptop parts and does not have provisions for expansion cards. It run Xp Pro,and has USB 2.0 ports and has DVI and Svideo outputs. I'm not sure if the DVI Video output is compatible with the DVI input on the TV. There's a sticker on the TV's DVI input that says "not for use with a PC" so I haven't tried to connect it out of fear of damaging something

The other PC is not put together but I have all the parts. It's a 2.0 Ghz duo core P4 in a conventional mini-ATX form factor and a low profile (Asus H-360) case that uses only low profile expansion cards. I can load it with whatever I need for RAM and HDD space.

My TV will supposedly support up to 1080i off the DVI Input, but I'm not really interested in getting the HD stuff recorded. My sat receiver is not HD and when I play a DVD I don't need to record it. Standard definition is fine with me. I just want to be able to record things, pause live TV, and store the recordings on my Video server in MPEG-2, AVI, or DivX in good quality.

What exists for hardware and software that will meet my needs? The simpler the better. I've done a great deal of reading on this and quite frankly, I'm overwhelmed with the selection of set top boxes, remotes, tuner cards, IR emitters, software, etc. I'm hoping that someone who's already been through this can point me in the right direction.

Thanks,

Mark

[bcjenkins]

Take a look at Hava boxes for recording.

B

[treetopflyer]

Thanks, bcj. I looked at the product page and at several reviews for the Hava platinum HD. It looks like it'll do what I want. Anyone got any hands on with this device?