PC to replace TV, TIVO, VCR, etc. All-in-Wonder etc. HTPC
 

I want to put some electronic entertainment in a travel trailer and space is at a premium. If I can combine the functions of a PC with a home entertainment system that would be great. I have seen video cards like the ATI all-in-wonder and thought that may do the trick. Has anyone here worked with such a system.

Can I use a PC to access the internet, watch and record TV, listen to stereo, etc?

I have a Hauppauge PCI card in one of my PC's, hooked up to cable. I can 'net surf with the TV in another window and use any local or networked HD as a PVR or to take screen captures. Since the card has the tuner/amp, there's very little processor overhead when watching TV. I rarely use the FM tuner built in since the signal through the cable service is much better than terrerstrial.

How does it work? You have the TV cable plugged into the tuner card and you have a TV program on the PC to open a window with the TV show? Did you put it together and was it troublesome?

Here is a link to a site that deals with this stuff:
http://htpcnews.com/main.php?id=guides

The antenna or cable connects to the backplane of the tuner card as the audio/video "input" and there is a cable out if you want to send the signal to another device, such as a VCR or traditional television. There's a patch cable to connect the audio output of the tuner card to your computer's sound card and an infrared (IR) sensor so that you can control the Tuner card with a remote. It's a snap to install and setup. There are also external USB tuners that work the same way.

For digital music, I use an Xitel Hifi Pro USB Digital to Analog converter to connect my PC to my home stereo system (new use for those unused TAPE inputs), so that MP3's on a networked server and internet radio can be played through the home system.

MTI,

Good to hear it works great for you. I've been doing some research, but haven't bought one yet. Do you have this one?

http://www.newegg.com/app/ViewProductDesc.asp?description=15-116-602&depa=0

I have had an 8500DV All-In-Wonder for almost 3 years. It works great, but hasn't captured video right in 2 years. I haven't figured out why (nor have I investigated thuroughly), but every time I have tried in the past has resulted in my computer crashing.


In any case, it worked in the beginning, and I am sure that it will be fixed by a wipe (which I have never done to the drive).

That version in the newegg link is the newer model of what I have, but basically the same. For the PVR, I ditched the included software and went with Cyberlink PowerVCR II.

Thanks MTI. I might have to purchase the one in the link.

somehow I haven't been notified by email when someone answers posts.. sorry for the delay.

This is typical of what I am reading about the AIW cards/systems. There were a number of people who posted that it is almost impossible to make all of the included software work correctly at the same time. The PVR function was specifically mentioned several times.

It was also noted that latest greatest AIW was supposed to be all together workable. I am still reading. The most popular solution seems to be the separate capture/tuner card.

How does the AIW user interface work? Do you just open a TV window and start watching TV on your monitor or is it more involved?

If the sound is patched through the sound card, can you adjust the volume and mute with the remote?

It helps to have the current Windows drivers for the card, but my tuner worked on WindowsME and is currently working on Win2000.

The TV is launched as an application, like any other program. Typical options on viewing are 1) full screen; 2) Resizeable Window; 3) using the TV as your screensaver; or 4) Scaling the Window w/o maintaining the 4:3 aspect ratio. All the remotes can turn the application on/off, select video inputs, change channels, mute, and switch from full screen (TV Mode) to a smaller windows screen. Unfortunately my remote didn't include the PVR controls, so I have to Play, Pause, Rec, from the screen. I would guess than any PVR tuners sets would have those functions on the remote.

Im not sure, But I think I have seen ones just like that (new egg link) on ebay new in the box for under $30

What would the differences be between an ebay one and one from newegg?

I've got an ATI 9600 Pro. When it works, it works great, but something in the software seems to degrade over time so you have to re-install it every once in a while. You can do anything with it you can do with a TIVO. It has every kind of imaginable input and output. You can coax in cable and coax out to a AVR. I also use a Creative Extigy external sound box to fiberoptic over to my AVR and stereo amp. I love that little jewel. Great system. Probably spent about $600 total.

If you find one on Ebay, then we'd have to compare the cards descriptions to find the differences. I just went to Ebay and found http://search.ebay.com/Hauppauge_Video-Cards-for-Desktop-PC_W0QQsofocusZbsQQsbrftogZ1QQfromZR10QQsacategoryZ40156QQcatrefZC6QQsotrtypeZ1QQsotrvalueZ1QQsosort propertyZ2QQsosortorderZ2

I don't have the time to fully compare items now.

NewEgg, in my searches/dealings, usually has the best price for components.. bought lots of stuff from them.. a lot with free shipping/arrives a day ahead of schedule etc all add to their being a good vendor