Recommend a computer for PVR

[stutes]

I'm in the market for a new computer and I'm thinking about making it a dedicated entertainment center, with SageTV at the heart of the video recording.

I'm don't want to build my own system due to time constraints, so I'm looking for recommendations on computers that would work best out of the box.

Mainly, I need to run ultra-quiet/silent. And preferably not too hot.

I'm thinking about a mac-mini or something on the PC side. A small profile would be desirable.

From the few store reps I've talked to, they were pretty helpless, as they have no clue how quiet their systems are.

Am I approaching this from the wrong angle? Instead of looking for quiet hardware, should I be finding out how to set/tweak my fans and my CPU?

[wrems]

I’m not exactly sure your prerequisites, but have you considered running an HD200?

HD200 is completely silent, runs on less than 7 watts and is capable of full HD and is ultra small form factor. With the HD200 as your extender you can remand nearly any pc as a server and stick it in the basement/closet, no need to worry about how loud it is. The HD200 performs all the playback muscle so the server specs can be lower. If you go down the server/extender route then can begin to look at WHS for additional benefits of this model. XP does work fine.

It all depends on exactly what you would like to do. The HD200 has its limitations, but as far as integration to the core fundamentals of Sage and using it as a PVR it’s fantastic. IMO, the designated basement/closet server with the HD200 nearly guarantees a very good experience with the least amount of trouble and they are cheaper to buy and run than a designated PC client.

[stutes]

wrem, thanks for the reply. Have considered the HD200, but part of the reason for the purchase of the computer (that I didn't mention in my original thread) is that my wife wants a new computer to use, and she's not going to want to sit in our unfinished basement (which is dark and dank). So I'm trying to have it do double duty: give my wife a workstation that she will use on occasion and the rest of the time act as our entertainment center.

[ghostlobster]

Originally Posted by stutes

wrem, thanks for the reply. Have considered the HD200, but part of the reason for the purchase of the computer (that I didn't mention in my original thread) is that my wife wants a new computer to use, and she's not going to want to sit in our unfinished basement (which is dark and dank). So I'm trying to have it do double duty: give my wife a workstation that she will use on occasion and the rest of the time act as our entertainment center.

WARNING! WARNING!
Not a good idea...if your PC is going to be your entertainment center, then that's what it needs to be. I don't think that anyone would recommend making your HTPC also an everyday desktop rig. Way too many variables and potential for a very unhappy spouse.

[gplasky]

So here is a thought. I pitched this in another thread:

Acer EasyStore WHS with 1 TB drive $400
1 HD-PVR deal of the day $150
1 HD Theater w/SageTV Media center for Windows $250

Good base for Home Theater HD recording but it is a $800 solution. But with room to grow. And the WHS (Windows Home Server) can back up the rest of the PCs in the house. (Probably not doing that now.) Which could include the wife's which I talk about below.

Now for the wife and depending on her needs. Why not consider a decent netbook for her. These can usually be found in the $300-$500 range and some are loaded with Windows if you need Windows apps running on it. Small and light and easy to carry with long battery life. Others have some form of Linux with basic apps also. This would put you in a $1,200 range for a solution but gives you the best of both worlds.

Gerry

[valnar]

Stutes,
Assuming you have your own PC, I'd recommend installing the tuners in that puppy and run Sage. Get your wife her own PC.

So were you implying that this PC would be connected to your TV, and your wife would use that "monitor" on that PC for regular use? That's a kind of strange duality to put on your wife.

[wrems]

That was my next thought too. How are you going to have a watchable TV and a usable workstation at the same time?

You can still technically achieve what you want, but you're going to need an HD200 and a monitor for your wife's workstation assuming you have some sort of desk setup for the computer...

This setup is not ideal but it would work.

[SWKerr]

I am guessing the logic here is that he has to buy a new PC and want to leverage it to be a PVR as well.

I personally would not want my primary tool to be an extender because of the online content issues. I think the extender would be fine for all the other TVs but I would still want one for when I wanted to watch Hulu or Netflix.

You can easily have a PC at the desk in that room and run a dual monitor setup with a long HDMI cord going to your TV. Add a remote and tuner any you are good.

I would not necessarily go with a small PC because of expandability but it would depend on where you would have to put it. The Dell Studio Hybrid offers a better value then the Apple Mini. The HP Media Center PCs are probably your best option if you have the space and don't want to build. They a relatively quite and powerful but are in a tower case. Just make sure you get something with HDMI output.

[davephan]

You could start off using SageTV on a quiet PC that your wife could use in the normal living space. I started my SageTV system about five years ago as a computer my wife could use in the normal living space. The computer has grown to a full tower, 6 tuners and 5 TB, and it is still in the normal living space, and is still used by my wife. I am close to the point where I will rebuild my SageTV computer with the same full tower case as a dedicated system located in the basement. My wife will then use a different computer (smaller and quieter) in the normal living space.

In the longer run, when the budget is available, you would be better off to have a dedicated "headless" SageTV computer in the basement or closet. A smaller computer could be located in the normal living space for your wife to use. If the budget is available for two computers, then the best way to setup SageTV would be with a dedicated computer from the start.

There are quiet a few sites that offer quiet computers by Googling "quiet PC" or "silent PC". I also recommend getting the HD-200 extender, even if you don't have a HD-TV yet. The HD-200 is vastly superior to the MVP extenders.

Dave