What avenue should I take (build PC or not)?

[ep2002]

Hi all,

Ok, so here's the lowdown.

I posted at one of my other regular MBs about what I need to build this particular type of PC so I can program multiple different shows at the same time. I'm trying to phase out archaic VHS & DVD which is what I used now.

I have 2 different TVs (only one I use for viewing) that have 3-5 recordable devices connected to each TV.

I was pointed to this software company that sells the software to be able to record multiple shows at the same time, has a TV guide, remote, etc. I've been talking to them for months now, but either what they say I don't understand or someone else says what they suggested won't work b/c there's not enough power behind it.

I'm on a tight budget, so I needed to know exactly what the PC needs so if I buy a used one, I can specify what I need when placing the ad.

Then someone on the thread above said why go to all that trouble & expense, why don't you go a different route.

In his version it looks like I still need a PC (or laptop), but it may be cheaper in the end to go his route.

I was directed to this MB from SP as I was told you guys are experts in this area.

Here's the other thread...

http://www.sitepoint.com/forums/showthread.php?t=668508

Here's the name of the software company that was originally helping me.

http://www.snapstream.com/

I understand I'll have to buy either a PC or laptop so I can do the on screen programming, but it's sounding like his way (posts towards the bottom from Alex Dawson) is the better way to go so long as I don't have to fish around in the back of my TV to unplug things. I want to to be relatively the same process I do now with my programming...

1. insert VHS tape or DVD
2. turn on TV (or laptop)
3. do on screen programming
4. then watch.

I'm on analog, but I want to be able to have the option of taping off of digital just in case I ever switch. Snapstream told me there are tuners out there that can do either & also tape 2 shows at once.

I also have a Sony DVD/HD (PVR) unit & I really love the HD portion. It's a god sent, so I'm hoping that using Snap Stream & the computer or the other method is going to be the same concept where I can watch a show while another one is programming, that if I pause it & come back to it days or weeks later, it's still at the same spot I paused it, it forwards & rewinds at the speed of light, etc.

This other guy told me he was at Walmart & found some Mini USB TV that records multiple shows at the same time.

I tried to search for it online & found these 2, but I'm not sure this is what I need...

http://www.walmart.com/ip/Targus-Ult...CH74US/8586827
http://www.walmart.com/ip/Artec-T14A...Tuner/11332149

Thanks for all your help in advance.


Michelle

[ep2002]

No one is going to help me


Michelle

[quartet-man]

It sounds cool, but I have no clue on what to use.

[rwest]

I think what you need to do is build a video editing machine that supports both analog and didgital video out. And it needs to support multiple analog capture alongside of digital cappture.

I'm thinking two work station video cards, one thru the pci-e and maybe an older one using a pci interface. The latter maynot be neccesary.

This pc would also need multiple capture cards. One for digital and maybe two or three for analog capture.
The digital capture card can use a pci-e interface and the analog capture cards can use the older pci interface, also if neccesary.

I got this information from your link:
iI have 3 VCRs on one TV
1 VCR, 1 recordable DVD & one DVR on the other TV

I see a total of 4 analog inputs and two digital inputs.
And for video out are you wanting to use your existing tv/s? If so; what kind of tv/s are they, and do they support any type of connection other than coax? How many screens do you want to have?

Just for starters, how much is your budget? And am I on the right track for what you are wanting?

[ep2002]

Hi there,

Thanks for responding.

Ok, you've lost me with the techno jargon, but I will answer your questions.

First off, maybe you don't know that there are cards that can do both analog/digital, so why would I need to buy different ones?

Here's the setup that I have so far based on what snapstream told me & some computer store quoting me & the Word doc going back & forth...

Motherboard & CPU B69-3134

Memory 2 x 2 gb K24-7078 73x2

DVD writer C12-1362 oem (not sure why I need this)

Hard Drives 4x250gb tsd-250aajs 60x4

pci tv tuner H56-2108

7 usb tv tuners H56-2110 184x7



NON_Computer_Parts

8 x 6' tv cable

8 port cable spliter

S4 video cable so TV can be a monitor

Here are the comments she (Snapstream) made...

The motherboard that he has listed has 2 PCI slots, 1 PCI express x1 slot, and a PCI express x16 slot.

As far as the hard drives, instead of getting 250GB drives x4, it would be cheaper to get a single 1TB drive. It should be less than $100.

Since your motherboard has 2 PCI slots, I suggest getting 2 PVR-500's instead of the one PCI tuner listed in your document.

Each PVR-500 has 2 analog tuners built into it. So having 2 of these cards would give you 4 tuners total.
------------------------------------------
As for your other questions...

1. I only want to record on the one big TV b/c I don't want to be running wires to the basement just to watch, nor do I want to have to buy 2 computers to record off of both TVs. I would get rid of the 2nd TV once this is all set up.

2. I don't know what you mean by "video editing machine".

3. When you say "capture cards", do you mean tuner cards?

4. I'm NOT trying to record from those recordable devices, I only listed them so everyone would see how many I have now that have to be replaced. I want to be able to record around 4-6 different shows at the same time to replace all that I have except for the Sony DVD/HD. That can record 1 show each hour & of course will be my DVD player.

5. You may laugh at me, but really I didn't want to spend more than $200. I know it may be more than that & I will have to save up.

6. What about what that other guy from the UK recommended?

Thanks


Michelle

[rwest]

Video editing machine; A pc that can store, move, reroute, edit or work with video.

TV Tuner Card

The TV Tuner Capture Card captures TV from a coaxial cable input and tunes the channels available from your cable company or from an antenna. They typically provide an Electronic Programming Guide (EPG) to schedule recordings in advance. They also function as a Digital Video Recorder, so users can pause and rewind live TV.

This cards eliminates the need for a vcr.

TV and Video Capture Card

A TV Capture Card or Video Capture Card records TV or Video from an analog signal. Typically this type of card will only have S-Video and Composite inputs to record Video and Audio. These cards can attach via USB 2.0 or internally into a PCI slot. These cards can also record analog video from a camcorder, DVD player/recorder or VCR. They typically come bundled with TV and Video Capture software. These types of cards do not input digital signals or capture from coaxial cable.


Some Capture Cards function as Video Capture Cards as well as TV Tuner Cards. They include analog inputs as well as a coaxial cable input. Many come bundled with TV and Video Capture software, video editing software and/or DVD authoring and burning software.


If you plan to use your vcrs, you don't need the tuner. The vcr has it. A video capture card can typically do more. You did mention you may go digital. Note the usually bundled software.

A tv tuner card with two tuners can record two seperate channels,(or record one and watch the other) I don't think it can record from two sources at one time. Doing it this way you would need four devices, not two.

Most capture cards I believe have apx two inputs. You have four analog input devices. This equals two cards-not including the option for digital inpout.

You have one DVR and one DVD player- one card maybe able to pick up two sources, but I doubt a card that has two analog inputs will have two digital inputs. I think you need another capture card designated for diigtal.

If only running one video output, i think you should be able to find a video card that will support two inputs and one out. May have to do with what type of inputs your tv supports. You may not be able to use your tv as a monitor.

As far as the hdd, I think 1 tb will be a small start.

That's about the best I can do, sorry if Its not what your looking for. I honestly doubt you'll be able to do what you want for about two hundred.

[glc]

Those part numbers are meaningless to us - they appear to be someone's proprietary stock numbers.

I didn't want to spend more than $200.

I'm not going to laugh, but you are asking for the impossible.

[ep2002]

It doesn't appear to me that you are understanding what I'm saying & I really don't know how else to explain it other than what I've already done.

Thanks for all your help rewest. I didn't really need all that info, other than the first couple of paragraphs.

If anyone else understands what I need, please feel free to chime in.

Take care


Michelle