input/output options on a p2-400

[Opus4]

After reading various HTPC sites and forums for the past few evenings, I think I'm getting a handle on most of the topics, but would like to get comments on a few things. BTW -- being quite knowledgeable about digital photography, I'm now reminded of how the 'newbies' feel when they come to the dig photo forums. :)

The subjects I'm trying to work out are listed below... any comments or suggestions?

A) I'm looking into the possibility of using my older P2-400 to do this job. I realize this is a slower machine than what seems to be recommended, but several forum comments seem to indicate that using both hardware encoding and decoding should work OK on such a machine. That is my first question... is it reasonable to expect such a machine to handle the job, especially with 2 tuners? (Also: can this cpu handle software decoding? see item C.)

B) Input: two Hauppauge 250s for dual tuner use. This doesn't seem to be too much of a problem, especially when the 2 cards are the same version.

c) Output: Sigma xcard. I had thought about the Hauppauge 350, but then found out it can't be used for dvd playback. I don't know of any other hardware decoders. This machine already has a Matrox G400, which, I've been reading, seems to have good TV output. However, something tells me that using a software decoder to go through the G400 wouldn't be a good idea on a p2-400. If such a system could handle the decoding, I could save the expense of the xcard... so that would be good to know. I would be using the s-video input on my TV.

Alternately, is there a reason to _prefer_ software decoding, and use a standard video card instead of a hardwae decoder card?

D) Software: SageTV. Any problems with this software on the above-mentioned setup? The only one I can think of is possibly using the xcard for output. I don't see it listed under the program's suggested System Requirements, but it seems that people in the forum are using it. I'm also aware that the UI will not be displayed on the TV, though this may change in version 2, per the thread regarding outputting the UI to the 350.

Thanks for any suggestions regarding what I've listed... or things I might be forgetting.

- Andy

[Opus4]

hmmm... :confused: no comments... does that mean I asked too many questions all at once, or that it appears I've gotten a handle on what to do?

I'm particularly interested in whether there is a reason to prefer software decoding, provided this machine can manage that decently, as opposed to using the xcard to decode.

So... anyone have anything to say regarding software vs. hardware decoding? Again, if the xcard is not used, the output would go through the Matrox G400, which I don't believe has any hardware decoding assist.

- Andy

[mikbro]

The machine you speak of (P2-400) is well below the minimum requirements. I would weigh the time you will spend trying to get such a system (especially w/2 tuners) working reliably vs. the cost of a new motherboard and cpu ($100 for intel celeron 1.7 and an 'all-in-one' motherboard).

That said, if you get a card that Sage supports for the hardware decoding such as the 350, you have eliminated most of cpu tasks Sage needs to have done. Don't forget though that Sage itself spends a decent amount of CPU resources examing your guide data and finding times when your favorites are on (let alon "Intelligent Recording"). I have seem my setup max out at 99% cpu, I think in part because I have over 300 unique channels spanning 3 tuners and 3 different sources. Many of those channels play the same shows over and over again in the same and different time slots.

[Opus4]

Mikbro: Thanks for your comments. Upgrading this system is more than a new mb, since the case doesn't have the standard place to put whatever cutout a new mb would need for all the io ports. That's one reason I'm looking at the xcard instead of a new system. Oh -- and I don't have nearly quite so many channels to scan. :)

Anyway... I did more searching & found this thread from back in March: http://forums.freytechnologies.com/forums/showthread.php?s=&threadid=31

It is kind of funny, since I just tried PowerDVD tonight & then noticed that thread talked about the same thing. It ran fine with Star Wars Episode II on my machine, with cpu usage generally in the 60-80% range, with a few spikes higher at times. Of course, that was w/o any recording going on at the same time.

Also, as mentioned in that thread, this machine is very quiet, unlike many of today's systems.

Oh well, I'm going forward with this now... so if the machine ends up being a bit too slow, the same (new) components being used for Sage would go into any new system. Still now sure about that xcard either way...

- Andy

[SHS]

Yup you best beat is a Sigma Xcard but will you be output to a TV or PC Monitor?.
Just a few note about the Xcard that DVD will not play rigth under SageTV but Xcard but work with it own App that not Jeff doning it lack really DS drv.

[Opus4]

I forgot to say the video will go to my TV, via s-video.

<<DVD will not play rigth under SageTV >>

Thanks - so there's a reason to prefer a software decoder when the system is fast enough. Like you said, though, that is easy enough to get around by simply playing DVDs from another program.

Heh -- I've already got that problem w/my music, since I've ripped all my CDs in wma format.

Maybe I ought to see if there is a wrapper program to tie all these other programs together sometime...

- Andy