HD via HTPC or dedicated receiver? | |
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28-05-2008
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| Member Join Date: 28-05-2008 Location: Geneva
Posts: 12
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My System: Technisat Multytenne |
I'm a newbie to both the forum and HD, so please be gentle! Searching around to educate myself on HD satellite reception led me to this site, but my searches left me with a lot of unanswered questions... First the background: I've just ordered an HD TV in anticipation of Euro2008. I'd also like to upgrade my satelite receiver to HD, recognising that I probably won't be able to watch much in HD right away. I have the Technisat Multytenne Twin satellite with their CIVA receiver. This allows me to get 28°E, 23°E, 16°E and 13°E, and keep my multi-cultural household happy (we watch UK FTA programs, German and Swiss channels, the later via a Swiss smartcard). The Multytenne also has twin outputs allowing me to watch on two receivers (an option which I might use now I have two TVs). I'm contemplating buying a HTPC to clear the clutter from around the TV, but also to let me listen to my mp3s, internet radio, watch dixV movies, and so on. With an HD-PC card I could in theory elliminate the sat receiver too. But does this type of setup run reliably, or is it better to have a dedicated sat receiver? Some random points: * I'm computer literate - setup and tinkering doesn't worry me. However if the HTPC is not reliable/simple to use once set up this could create issues when my girlfriend misses her favourite German soaps. * I'll need to be able to use at least one smartcard for Swiss TV. I may want to add two. This will doubtlessly open up a separate debate later around CI, CAMs and cards... * I'd like to be able to record TV shows. Recording one show whilst watching something else would be nice. For 'German soap' reasons this interface needs to be simple. * Watching TV is what we do the most - music and movies are secondary. * Budget is not really a concern as long as I get appropriately cool toys for the $. My starter query is really if someone can list the pros and cons of an HTPC versus a dedicated HD receiver (perhaps supported by or linked to a PC). Does anyone have a successful HTPC up-and-running doing everything on my wishlist? | ||
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31-05-2008
| #3 | |||
| Amo Amas Amant Admin  Join Date: 18-11-2004 Location: NW England (Siberia)
Posts: 8121
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My System: IDD CI24 ECONO MM Penta 1.20 Galaxy II 1.2Mtr Polar MTG yes it has been on the arc for 21 years and is still driven by a modified wiper motor from a Ford Anglia. It's like me sometimes groans but always performs  Saved us from the black plague of ignoratio elenchi, he awaits a special badge with jugs |
From the total absence of responses I can only assume that this being a self help hobbyist forum for satellite TV, nobody has had either the money or the desire to go down this route and thus be able to respond to your questions. Lets be sensible about this getting HD quality transmissions on a PC is going to need a top notch dual core processor, motherboard, memory etc as even simple SD transmission can often be slowed down by lack of processing power
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