Upgraded the old FTA HTPC beast w/ pics

[digiblur]

I finally got around to get rid of the old dinosaur I had for a HTPC. The combination of HTPC, HDTV, and FTA all rolled into one hobby is addicting!!

Here's the specs on the upgrade one:

1 gb of Corsair DDR400 Ram (dual channel)
AMD64 X2 4200 Dual Core processor
ASUS MB
3 Hard drives - 2-120 gb's, and 1-250gb (adding another 320 soon)
MyHD- 130 card for OTA HD and QAM HD
Nvidia 6600GT video card with 128MB DDR2 ram (feeds the 57 inch via DVI to HDMI)
Twinhan FTA card - slaved to the Fortec
Mystique 7.1 audio card (feeds the 6.1 audio system)
Cheapo run of the mill DVD-ROM drive
Thermaltake Bach HTPC case with 430w PS
Wireless Gyration air mouse and keyboard suite for couch surfing
Streamzap remote control for hotkeys and controlling other apps

This system is used mostly for recording and watching HD content via OTA. It's great being able to cut out the commercials with a few mouse clicks. It's also used for watching any HD and/or 4:2:2 feeds I find. It makes it easy to use the PIP function of the TV with the Fortec on one side and the FTA card on the left for punching in the frequencies for the 4:2:2 feeds. And lately I've been addicted to playing Oblivion on the big screen.

You'd be suprised but the system is very quiet. The case fans and power supply fans are very quiet. With AMD's Quiet N Cool technology turned on the CPU fan is quiet too. I still can't get over the look of this case, brushed black aluminum in the front, with the front bezel lit up in a low soft blue light)

I'll have to grab some new pics of the dish. It's a 90cm Fortec with a Invacom QPH-031 (love this LNB!!)

 

[partyharty]

I gotta say that looks awesome. One of these days I will get around to putting my htpc in a case like that (I am currently running the "server" in one room to pull down the programming and small form factor pc's @ each tv).

What software are you running with this (for DVB and what not) Also how are you ripping out commercials "with a few clicks"? I really want to know :> I am currently using virtualdub to pull out the commercials (and it can be a pain).

c-ya
Chris

 

[Change]

Wow. That's quite a beast of a machine!

If you like Dance Dance Revolution, check out StepMania, it will run very well on a computer with those specs.

 

[Shawn95GT]

Very nice - I like the rack / stand you have all the recievers in too.

Something about the XP desktop on your TV makes me grin.

 

[digiblur]

I gotta say that looks awesome. One of these days I will get around to putting my htpc in a case like that (I am currently running the "server" in one room to pull down the programming and small form factor pc's @ each tv).

What software are you running with this (for DVB and what not) Also how are you ripping out commercials "with a few clicks"? I really want to know :> I am currently using virtualdub to pull out the commercials (and it can be a pain).

c-ya
Chris

Here's the app in action....

 

[digiblur]

Wow. That's quite a beast of a machine!

If you like Dance Dance Revolution, check out StepMania, it will run very well on a computer with those specs.

The kids already have the XBox version of this.

 

[digiblur]

Very nice - I like the rack / stand you have all the recievers in too.

Something about the XP desktop on your TV makes me grin.

I found the tower at Wal-Mart for a pretty good price. I like being able to hide all the thousands of wires behind the metal channel on the rack.

 

[fulszjep]

stand

I got same stand but need another for my other receivers

 

[WyrTwister]

Here's the app in action....

Do you have a FAQ on this software ?

Thanks ,
Wyr

 

[digiblur]

Do you have a FAQ on this software ?

Thanks ,
Wyr

No, but here's the developer's thread:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=395744&page=1&pp=30

 

[partyharty]

Thanks for pointing out the link to the software. I am downloading it and should be able to test it tonight.

Chris