This is a combination of thinking out loud as well as notes on work in progress....
I've been collecting the bits for building a new system, and as ThomasW kind of spilled the beans on in another post, the probable goal of that system is a new acronym (well, I haven't seen it used anywhere before, yet) "High Definition Theater Personal Computer". HDTPC
Goals:
DVD Playback scaled for high res monitors and projectors- XGA, 720P, with DD output to processor
OTA HDTV playback, 720P, 1080i, for capable monitors and projectors, with DD output to processor
HDDTV Recording and playback, up to storage of 20 to 40 hours of programming.
By the middle of December, all the pieces to do this should be available.
Starting point-
Abit KT7 Raid Athlon MB, includes standared EIDE ATA66 channels and ATA100 dual Raid channel. Cost, about $170. Supports RAID0, RAID1, RAID2 (stripping, mirroring, etc.- your choice)
CPU: Athlon 1 GHz, cost, about $300 (if you want to go cheak, get a 750 or 800MHz for about $200)
Memory: 128 - 256 MB, about $75-150
HD: Dual Maxtor ATA100 60GB drives, cost each, $225. MB supports expansion to four drives (yeah, 240 GB on a PC, now THAT's a video server!)
Primary Video: Elsa Gladiac
Sound: Creative Labs SB Live Platinum 5.1
DVDROM: Acer/Pioneer 16X/40X
HDTV Card: HiPixx Tuner/decoder/Video card, $399. Can record HDTV MPEG transport stream, requires 3-6GB/hour of recording time. Available around December 15th. Can output RGB or Component. Can do pass through of desktop.
Enclosure- Not decided. Should do another rackmount like the one Tom has, but it's pricey. Addonics 7860a with 4 five inch bays, 300W power supply may be the way I go- it's easier to locate.
I'll keep you posted as I get down to particulars.
Regards,
Jon
Earth First!
_______________________________
We'll screw up the other planets later....
I've been collecting the bits for building a new system, and as ThomasW kind of spilled the beans on in another post, the probable goal of that system is a new acronym (well, I haven't seen it used anywhere before, yet) "High Definition Theater Personal Computer". HDTPC
Goals:
DVD Playback scaled for high res monitors and projectors- XGA, 720P, with DD output to processor
OTA HDTV playback, 720P, 1080i, for capable monitors and projectors, with DD output to processor
HDDTV Recording and playback, up to storage of 20 to 40 hours of programming.
By the middle of December, all the pieces to do this should be available.
Starting point-
Abit KT7 Raid Athlon MB, includes standared EIDE ATA66 channels and ATA100 dual Raid channel. Cost, about $170. Supports RAID0, RAID1, RAID2 (stripping, mirroring, etc.- your choice)
CPU: Athlon 1 GHz, cost, about $300 (if you want to go cheak, get a 750 or 800MHz for about $200)
Memory: 128 - 256 MB, about $75-150
HD: Dual Maxtor ATA100 60GB drives, cost each, $225. MB supports expansion to four drives (yeah, 240 GB on a PC, now THAT's a video server!)
Primary Video: Elsa Gladiac
Sound: Creative Labs SB Live Platinum 5.1
DVDROM: Acer/Pioneer 16X/40X
HDTV Card: HiPixx Tuner/decoder/Video card, $399. Can record HDTV MPEG transport stream, requires 3-6GB/hour of recording time. Available around December 15th. Can output RGB or Component. Can do pass through of desktop.
Enclosure- Not decided. Should do another rackmount like the one Tom has, but it's pricey. Addonics 7860a with 4 five inch bays, 300W power supply may be the way I go- it's easier to locate.
I'll keep you posted as I get down to particulars.
Regards,
Jon
Earth First!
_______________________________
We'll screw up the other planets later....
Comment