Help for setup of HTPC system please

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › Help for setup of HTPC system please

g33kh3lp

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Wannabe Geek

#20897 9-Apr-2008 13:50

I would like some help with setting up my system please?

My setup so far:
Samsung LE32R87BDX 32" LCD TV
Telstra Cable Modem (connects to TV)
Telstra Broadband Modem
Netgear Wireless Router (connected to Desktop PC & Telstra Broadband Modem)
Desktop PC - quad processor, 4GB RAM, Windows Vista Ultimate (ie. with Media Centre)
Dell Monitor
Wireless Keyboard and Mouse
Wireless Laptop

What I would like to do:
- Connect and control the Desktop PC from the Samsung TV (view pc files, watch dvds, look at pictures, listen to music etc)
- Record TV from Telstra to Desktop PC
- One person watch tv on samsung, one person using Desktop PC without interferring eachother

I know I need a PC Tuner card - but which one ... ?
How is best to send sound between Samsung TV/Desktop PC?
Can you think of anything else I need?

I'm a little out of my depth here and would really appreciate any help/suggestions.

tonyhughes

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#122312 9-Apr-2008 14:12

Off the top of my head, you would need to run two video cards (or a single dual-head card) to run PC and TV seperatley. Even then, good luck in trying to make it seamless, and have them not interfere - one app goes fullscreen, and bam... TV is out.

g33kh3lp

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

#122315 9-Apr-2008 14:18

Thanks for your feedback. This is exactly the sort of info I am after.

gehenna

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#122320 9-Apr-2008 14:46

The thing about Windows Media Center is that it's a focus stealer - that is, when you're in full screen mode (in either monitor) and you want to control the media center, your mouse/keyboard/remote are locked within the media center app. You would need to alt+tab to get back to your pc desktop to do other tasks. but while you're alt-tabbed in your desktop you wouldn't be able to use your remote or control the media center until you're once again clicked in there and the focus is back in media centre. Does this make sense? It's not the easiest thing to describe without visual prompts :)