Getting my first PC...

[Aglaeo]

I am just starting to research hardware, so not knowledgeable yet, and have some beginner questions. Should probably mention that I'll be aiming for a full-size tower PC having dual-HDD, for dual-boot OS (XP Pro & Linux). Will be using DSL.
Undecided on the rest. Anyway, to send internet-TV & movies into my TV/DVD recorder set-up, what components do I need to research? I'll be wanting 'frame grabber', 'screen capture', and probably NTSC/PAL/SECAM decoding...I think all that comes with a video card. Also, I will want to avoid (if possible) or strip (if necessary) HDCP, DRM, etc. I have zero interest in over-the-air, cable, or satellite TV channels...I think that means I don't need a TV Tuner card. Lastly, Ive no interest in watching TV shows or movies on computer monitor, just getting it 'piped' into my TV set-up. So any advice as to what to look into?

[yoda313]

I'm not exactly sure what you are looking for.

It sounds like you simply want to stream video from your computer to your tv. If you have a xbox 360 or ps3 or a networkable dvd/bluray player you can do that quite easily by connecting a lan cable from your router to your receiving decive. Than use something like tversity or playstation3mediaserver to stream your videos.

If you simply want to be able to view your computer on your tv directly with nothing in between you can get a computer with a hdmi cable. They have motherboards with hdmi builtin nowadays or you can get a more basic model and a video card that has a hdmi out. If you want to watch full res bluray you will need a hdcp capable video card for the encryption to pass properly.

Since you do not want to record tv you will not need a capture card.

If you have more specific tasks in mind please elaborate with examples.

Also you may want to consider getting windows media center for a more user friendly interface if you are simply connecting your computer to the tv with nothing else in between. It is available seperately, as a media center pc (dedicated for wmc), or in premium versions of Vista and windows 7 (in otherwords if you get Vista Premium or Windows 7 premium media center is already included).

There are a myriad of other htpc (home theater pc) programs available to buy and some free if you do not want to have one preinstalled. GBPVR and mythtv are just a few to choose from. If you get an ati all in wonder card they come with ati's own htpc interface software.

As mentioned please let us know what specific tasks you are looking to accomplish. It would also be useful to list what other hardware you have like a gaming console so we can direct you in alternative setups.

One last note if you plan on streaming video wirelessly be prepared for disappointments if you don't have a wireless N setup - g or b just isn't fast enough for fully reliable video without stuttering - and certainly not high def video. It is best to be physically connected via lan to stream video without hiccups.


You should also look into getting a remote control for your computer - or at the very least a wireless keyboard and mouse. You would need either a bluetooth adapter and bluetooth keyboard/mouse and remote or you can go with non bluetooth models. For the remote control you can go online and look up windows media center remote. You will be looking for a usb infrared remote dongle that will let you use a remote with your computer. It should be programmable for other applications besides wmc.

[Aglaeo]

I'm not exactly sure what you are looking for.

It sounds like you simply want to stream video from your computer to your tv. If you have a xbox 360 or ps3 or a networkable dvd/bluray player you can do that quite easily by connecting a lan cable from your router to your receiving decive. Than use something like tversity or playstation3mediaserver to stream your videos.

If you simply want to be able to view your computer on your tv directly with nothing in between you can get a computer with a hdmi cable. They have motherboards with hdmi builtin nowadays or you can get a more basic model and a video card that has a hdmi out. If you want to watch full res bluray you will need a hdcp capable video card for the encryption to pass properly.

Since you do not want to record tv you will not need a capture card.

If you have more specific tasks in mind please elaborate with examples.

Also you may want to consider getting windows media center for a more user friendly interface if you are simply connecting your computer to the tv with nothing else in between. It is available seperately, as a media center pc (dedicated for wmc), or in premium versions of Vista and windows 7 (in otherwords if you get Vista Premium or Windows 7 premium media center is already included).

There are a myriad of other htpc (home theater pc) programs available to buy and some free if you do not want to have one preinstalled. GBPVR and mythtv are just a few to choose from. If you get an ati all in wonder card they come with ati's own htpc interface software.

As mentioned please let us know what specific tasks you are looking to accomplish. It would also be useful to list what other hardware you have like a gaming console so we can direct you in alternative setups.

One last note if you plan on streaming video wirelessly be prepared for disappointments if you don't have a wireless N setup - g or b just isn't fast enough for fully reliable video without stuttering - and certainly not high def video. It is best to be physically connected via lan to stream video without hiccups.


You should also look into getting a remote control for your computer - or at the very least a wireless keyboard and mouse. You would need either a bluetooth adapter and bluetooth keyboard/mouse and remote or you can go with non bluetooth models. For the remote control you can go online and look up windows media center remote. You will be looking for a usb infrared remote dongle that will let you use a remote with your computer. It should be programmable for other applications besides wmc.

Thanks for the advice. As beginner, some of what you said I've no idea about. Concerning Xbox/ps3, I think these have something to do with computer games. If so, I have no interest in that, but I'll definitely be getting a router. As regards HDCP/DRI, I know little about it yet, other than I want nothing to do with it! I've heard elsewhere that to avoid it one must use s-video connects. HDMI requires stripping it. As I prefer to avoid it, that means no HDMI, blu-ray, high def DVDs, etc., but if avoiding becomes impossible, I've no moral/ethical problem with using 'stripper' tech. As for specific tasks, I want to flip the birdie to Comcast. I've run across various internet TV sites for free TV shows (same I now pay Comcast about $80 a month to watch), and other sites showing movies for free. I want to send these TV shows & movies into my TV/DVD recorder setup to watch and record. I have A LCD TV and DVD recorder. I've no interest in anything "wireless".