Sanity Check my HD Client Build

[sjrx0213]

Here's the concept: I've got a PC client built from leftover parts (see sig) and an MVP. I've finally joined the 21st century with an HDTV (Merry Xmas). My goal is monkey with the client to get HD happening on a budget less than what it'll cost me to get both a stand-alone Blu-Ray player and stand-alone HD client, then move the MVP into the bedroom (SDTV).

I've scanned the forum and I see there are some issues surrounding Blu-Ray control via SageTV, so I'm clear on those limitations.

I need to swap mobos to get PCIe graphics that are up to the task.

Here's the build list:

• MSI 945GCM478-L -- can drop in my 2.8GHz Northwood
• GeForce 9400 GT -- HDCP & HDMI
• HT OMEGA STRIKER -- multi-channel audio with digital out
• Sony Blu-Ray/DVD ROM drive -- I don't care about burning anything on a client
• 2GB DDR2 RAM -- will allow me to drop the client's current 1GB in the server, bumping it to 2GB
• Hauppage HVR-1600 -- gotta get the HD into the server

All in, this seems to cover a lot of ground for less than the stand-alone items.

My only question is whether or not it's up to the task of cranking out 1080i at best, or 720p at least.

Am I dreaming or will I be able to deal with HD with this rig?

[Djc208]

MPEG HD isn't too bad, I had it working fine with less, so this shouldn't be a problem with your setup.

Blueray is the real hurdle here. With the right BD playback software you can probably do it. The CPU is a little underpowered but the 9400 can do the h.264 heavy lifting using the right codec, so make sure you pick the right software.

[sjrx0213]

Originally Posted by Djc208

MPEG HD isn't too bad, I had it working fine with less, so this shouldn't be a problem with your setup.

Blueray is the real hurdle here. With the right BD playback software you can probably do it. The CPU is a little underpowered but the 9400 can do the h.264 heavy lifting using the right codec, so make sure you pick the right software.

Thanks for the input. Based on what you said and the many, many issues I've seen folks report with Blu-Ray playback, I'm going to skip that part of it for now.

I think I've convinced myself that I'm going to go with the Sage HD Theater as my client. But now I'm having trouble deciding on an HD tuner solution.

I've only got PCI slots in the server (no PCIe), so that means HVR-1600s if I go "in the box." The alternative is the HD Homerun. Both seem like there are a fair amount of configuration issues and varied experiences with SageTV.

I'm not out to do anything fancy, just grab clear QAM from my cable.

Analog was so much easier to work out.

[Djc208]

If you only want clear QAM I'd probably lean toward the HDHR. The tuners are supposed to be better at picking up weak signals and both tuners are digital only. The 1600 has one analog and one digital tuner, which will get you all the analog cable channels plus any that you also get in digital (which is probably just the locals and maybe some music channels).

[kbyrd]

Originally Posted by sjrx0213

I've only got PCI slots in the server (no PCIe), so that means HVR-1600s if I go "in the box." The alternative is the HD Homerun. Both seem like there are a fair amount of configuration issues and varied experiences with SageTV.

I'm not out to do anything fancy, just grab clear QAM from my cable.

Analog was so much easier to work out.

If you want a couple of HVR-1600s, I'll sell you mine. I migrated from them to a HDHomerun.

That was meant as a joke and some advice. I was really happy with the 1600s for analog. They just worked and provided me with a remote control solution. For QAM, setting them up involved following the instructions posted in the QAM setup thread on these forums. It worked the first time...and then it didn't. The problem wasn't SageTV related (I don't think), I just couldn't get both cards to reliably tune QAM channels.


About decoding h.264, not sure your CPU will do the job, and I didn't know there was hardware acceleration for h.264. You might try the CoreAVC codec. It has shown the lowest CPU overhead for me. They've got a trial, so you can see if it'll work for you before buying it.

[sjrx0213]

Thanks again, guys.

I'm leaning more and more toward the HDHR with a dedicated NIC. I've got a pretty busy LAN and from what I've read this sounds like the best bet to ensure trouble-free capture.

I'm still a little unclear on the HDHR as far as en/decoding goes. Is it purely up to the CPU to handle things? If I go with the HD200, won't that do the decoding on the client side (the specs say it handles h.264)?

I'd like to avoid having to upgrade the server just yet.

[kbyrd]

The CPU doesn't do encoding with either the 1600 or the HRDR. For analog the 1600 encodes for you and the HRDR won't do analog. For ATSC/QAM the stream is already mpeg2, Both the 1600 and the HRDR will get the untouched mpeg2 stream dumped to your disk. The advantage there is that it's likely the broadcaster has a better quality mpeg2 encoder than you do.

For playback, playing back mpeg2 is like playing back anything else. If you have a codec you can play it back. Sage has an mpeg2 decoder built in and all DVD software has one. You'll almost certainly be able to get your graphics card to offload the mpeg2 decoding from your CPU. But, I bet you can play back mpeg2 with that CPU without hardware acceleration.

[sjrx0213]

Well, that pretty much settles it.

I'm going to go for the HDHR on the back end and the HD200 on the client side.

You guys have been extremely helpful.

[Djc208]

MPEG 2 shouldn't be a big problem with your setup. I've done playback with less on the computer. h.264 is mostly found on Blue-ray/HD-DVD, the HD-PVR, and certain online content.

If you're looking at getting an HD200, why not just move the client which already does SD to another SD TV and connect the HD200 to the new HDTV?

[sjrx0213]

Originally Posted by Djc208

If you're looking at getting an HD200, why not just move the client which already does SD to another SD TV and connect the HD200 to the new HDTV?

We've only got one other TV, and that's where the client currently resides. But when I get the HD200, I'll swap my MVP for the PC client. No fans, better remote, easier updates/maintenance, etc.

The PC client was always just a "free" way to get Sage into the bedroom, since I had the parts laying around. Now I'll probably just re-purpose it for my son.