thebiglebowski Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 So I'm gonna pull the plug on cable and go on demand/streaming/torrents/netflix/HD antenna etc... Any hints about buying a desktop computer to use as a central computer to connect to all my TVs? Do some desktops come with HDMI inputs? Any programs that facilitate using a desktop this way? Can I run my HD antenna to the desktop through coaxial cable so that I can use it as a hub to send the signal to multiple tvs? I'm willing to drop a little bit of coin on this. Planning on at least 8 gigs of ram and a few processors. Is it worth it to go with more power? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kgry Posted September 21, 2011 Share Posted September 21, 2011 I'm currently doing somewhat of what you're trying to do. I have an HD antenna connected to my TV for broadcast TV. I stream Netflix through my PS3. I watch live cable TV/sports through my laptop that's connected to my TV. I watch downloaded movies/TV shows on my TV through PS3 media server. I'm sure there is something out there for multiple TVs regarding streaming. I would guess your desktop would need a wireless card. I don't think you can plug an antenna into a computer. And all HD ports are both in and out. Most desktops come with HD ports now. To save money I guess you could do what I'm doing. Get a laptop and take it to which ever TV you will be watching. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebiglebowski Posted September 21, 2011 Author Share Posted September 21, 2011 I'm currently doing somewhat of what you're trying to do. I have an HD antenna connected to my TV for broadcast TV. I stream Netflix through my PS3. I watch live cable TV/sports through my laptop that's connected to my TV. I watch downloaded movies/TV shows on my TV through PS3 media server.I'm sure there is something out there for multiple TVs regarding streaming. I would guess your desktop would need a wireless card. I don't think you can plug an antenna into a computer. And all HD ports are both in and out. Most desktops come with HD ports now. To save money I guess you could do what I'm doing. Get a laptop and take it to which ever TV you will be watching. Thanks for the input but if I go through with this I want to do it right (meaning buy the right equipment and have everything as connected as possible). I have a 47" LCD, a 55" LED, and a High Def Projector. Would be foolish to blow $3k on TVs to use with a weak entertainment system. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 Look up guides for building HTPCs, they are exactly what you're looking for. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebiglebowski Posted September 22, 2011 Author Share Posted September 22, 2011 Look up guides for building HTPCs, they are exactly what you're looking for. Will do tomorrow. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tooclosetosee Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I have a HTPC connected to my TV. It's running Windows 7 and I have it autostart Windows Media Center on start up. I get cable/antenna through the single analog/digital tuner card. You can plug in antenna or cable coax into the card. I stream Netflix through a plugin with Windows Media Center. I download torrents on my main pc and share them over the network and can watch downloaded tv/movies via the shared folder. I also have a built in blu ray player for playing dvd's/blue rays. You have to use a 3rd party blu ray software as there is yet to be a free blu ray support in windows media center (as far as I know). I think this is exactly what you are wanting. The two biggest things are hard drive space due to the storage that the tuner cards save tv data (especially digital HD). I think it's something around 4 to 5 gigs an hour of HD digital. So I would get no less than a terabyte. The second is video card playing HD video. I have an onboard Radeon with an HDMI port to the tv and it has been working fine for me at 720p. I hope this helps. Also, is this going to go into a closet, or is it going to be like a receiver? If it is going to be out in the open you will want cheap/quiet/cool. Pick 2. My build ( a year or two ago) so it may be completely out of date or may still be good. I dunno. dual digital/analog tuner card w/ remote http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815116036 Case (I have previous model) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204033 Memory http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231193 Blu-Ray http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827135205 Mobo http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128397 Proc http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103681 Hope that is a start. There are tons of HTPC sites out there that are amazing. thegreenbutton is good. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I recommend XBMC over a full OS install for a HTPC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Shitty Rambo Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I have been without cable for 8 months and do not miss it at all. Using NZBs to download all my TV programming (I also have Hulu Plus and Netflix but use those for random TV watching). NZBs are essentially like torrenting but instead of downloading bits from other uploaders you're downloading bits from dedicated servers. This means your connection will top out at maximum speed. No bullshit seeders. SSL encoding will completely cover your ass so you will never get popped. Ever. $15/ for unlimited nzb downloads, nzbmatrix has everything, stream all your content to your 360/PS3 with TVersity (it's free and easy as shit to use). Also +SAbNZB allows you to RSS subscribe to any NZB, this means you could subscribe to The Daily Show and your computer will automatically download new episodes when they are posted. All you have to do is deleted old episodes when your library gets cluttered. Just like DVR but at an eight of the cost and without commercials. It's amazing. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
kirbypuckett Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I recommend XBMC over a full OS install for a HTPC. This. I have this HTPC, a Zotac Mag: http://www.google.com/products/catalog?q=zotac+mag&um=1&ie=UTF-8&tbm=shop&cid=10916243490193965481&sa=X&ei=skF7TuztDbOisQKyz6TZAw&ved=0CF0Q8wIwAA Running XBMC Live XBMC Live is a Linux backend that boots right into XBMC. XBMC is hands down the best media center software in the world. If you actually want a computer hooked up to the TV, I would then suggest perhaps a Mac Mini, they're small and quiet. Load that up w/ Plex, which is a fork of XBMC. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 How is that set-top box Kirby? I'm currently running a 1st gen. Apple TV with crystal HD card installed, but I don't think I like it very much. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rtw88 Posted September 22, 2011 Share Posted September 22, 2011 I didn't read the rest of this thread that probably has more of what you're looking for, but I'm just throwing out there that I have my PC hooked up to my tv with just a simple VGA to HDMI cable, and I just dual screen it as a monitor and drag stuff I'm watching over to the TV when I want to. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
almightyseancore Posted September 23, 2011 Share Posted September 23, 2011 i run a monitor cable from the back of my HDTV to my pc sometimes to play p.c. games on teh big screen w/ surround sound and an xbox controller. from what i understand you can get splitters where you can run more than one cable to more than one tv. but i'm not sure if this is really the answer to the question you're asking. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Posted September 26, 2011 Share Posted September 26, 2011 I just came across a really good guide to HTPC stuff, if anyone else is interested in doing it. http://producerism.com/blog/building-the-perfect-htpc-media-server/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebiglebowski Posted September 26, 2011 Author Share Posted September 26, 2011 I just came across a really good guide to HTPC stuff, if anyone else is interested in doing it.http://producerism.com/blog/building-the-perfect-htpc-media-server/ Nice find. Pretty sure I am gonna go the route of building my own HTPC. Busy week at work, but hoping to start next week. Never built a computer but I'm an engineer so I'm not afraid of technical things. Maybe it will be a pain. Just gonna try and see. Worst thing that can happen is that I give up and pay someone to put everything together for me. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thebiglebowski Posted October 26, 2011 Author Share Posted October 26, 2011 FYI, ended up buying this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/HTPC-AMD-ATHLON-II-QUAD-CORE-x4-640-SYSTEM-w-4GB-RAM-500GB-HD-BLURAY-HDMI-/150678745753?pt=Desktop_PCs&hash=item2315273299 With 8GB RAM, 1TB HD, Blu-Ray Player/DVD Burner, ended up being $487 shipped. Plan on loading two operating systems -- Ubuntu Linux, and XBMC. Pretty pumped for this to get here. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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