I currently have a configuration that works for using Beyond TV 4.2 to record and playback TV… BUT 1) does not play audio through TV (just PC speakers) and 2) just got HDTV (Panasonic TH42PX600U)… so I want to reconfigure to get a set up that will work well… and my tech savyness is stretched. (I have chosen to do my own set up rather than Tivo because I need to be able to edit clips out of recordings and maintain top quality rather than face the limits of working with proprietary file types.)

My Panasonic HDTV has NTSC and ATSC (HDTV) tuners, 2 HDMI high-definition inputs and one computer 15 pin VGA input, 2 component video, 3 composite video, 3 S-Video connection.

My current Media PC is
Built with AMD 3000+, 512 RAM, Maxtor 160GB, Maxtor 300GB (7200 / 16MB) SATA-150 HD; XFX GeForce FX 5200 / 128MB DDR / AGP 8X / VGA / TV Out / Video Card, Beyond TV 4.1 and Hauppauge PVR250BTV, USB-UIRT IR Blaster with Direct TV Satellite. Wireless internet. Win XP Home.

My needs (as I understand them) include:
Sound / video card that will allow best output to the HDTV including audio…such as DVI
Tuner card that will allow taking in both a SAT box (Direct TV) feed as well as an over-the-air antenna coax feed for recording either … while also getting both those feeds to the TV for watching.

1. Would a VGA to HDMI converter be worthwhile and carry good video & audio from PC to TV?

2. What cards could I change to that would offer best options?

I would welcome changing to better tuner card that offered dual tuner and HD specs for new BTV 4.6 HD potential.

Also could change to using the following PC
Dell Dimension 4550, Pent. 4 2.53 GHz, 1 GB RAM, XP Home SP2, NVIDIA GeForce4 MX 420

3. Would the P4 processor be significantly better than the AMD 3000? I am certainly think about the value of a new Media PC as well. While I know that a dual core would seem to be helpful, I have been doing fine with current as others have, so not sure if that is needed.

4. Any other potential advice or problems? (If I get new PC will BTV4.6 work with new Media Player 11? Vista? Will it make much difference if my OS is XP verses XP Media Center?)

5. Anybody know if HD recording is / can still be MPEG2 or will it create MPEG4 by necessity? (Perhaps an ignorant question)

Any help is GREATLY appreciated.

Brad Bailey