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Posted by sorry_no_email on 03/09/06 16:21
Just read through this entire thread. Ken M. is very talented at
writing, and I am sure he will be as equally talented in putting
together his system. Having built my own DVR a while ago, I'll share
my experience. I worked off of this post from Keith Clark:
http://groups.google.com/group/rec.video.desktop/browse_thread/thread/39294debc9d5b3cc/0062be66aabfdfd3?tvc=2&q=%22Keith+Clark%22+asus+pvr#0062be66aabfdfd3
or
http://tinyurl.com/hrgpj
First piece of advice, be careful when you order your parts. I ordered
the wrong motherboard, and it probably caused the problems I faced
later. The main issue I had was that the system would freeze
regularly, and I'd have to power cycle it. Never got it to work
correctly as a DVR, so I moved the Hauppauge board and BTV software to
another computer where it works perfectly. The computer I built is now
a general purpose box that works fine.
Another piece of advice, make sure the case you buy will fit into your
entertainment center. Mine didn't, oops. Also, I'd get a good video
card with TV out rather than rely on a motherboard that has it built
in. Plus, make sure your memory is compatible with your motherboard.
Just because they say it is, doesn't mean it actually is. Better to
use a combo that other use successfully.
On the Celeron vs. P4 debate, my belief is that the Celeron is
perfectly ok for what you want to do, but I know P4 believers will
scoff. Let them scoff and save yourself some money. Absolutely worst
case, you can swap it out later and use the Celeron on another box.
Finally, it might be easier to just buy a box with enough available PCI
slots to do what you want. Chances are that it will be quieter than a
custom built box, and you may save yourself LOTS of headaches.
Building my box took *AT LEAST* 100 hours of my time with all the
screwing around I did. Having a warranty and support is also nice.
Your choice, and good luck.
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