My situation is that I have a year or two old PC lying around ever since I got my laptop. I want to change it into a file server/htpc(?).
The spec is atm:
Core 2 E6550 (i think... haven't turned it on in a while)
6600GT
2GB Ram
Asus P5K SE Mobo
Quite a bit of hard disk space
And an Asus U3100 MyCinema Mini for TV Tuner
My home theatre has a Sony PS3, Bravia and 5.1 Channels Amp setted up.
If I use it as a file server, I can transcode files for my PS3 using a software called PS3 Media Server. However, for higher quality transcode like 1080p, the Core 2 probably doesn't suffice (My P8400 struggles a little with external subtitles). One pretty nice solution is to use CoreAVC codec, which offloads some of the work through CUDA. Unfortunately, the 6600GT doesn't support CUDA, which means I would need a new graphic card?
But if I get a new graphic card (with HDMI out probably), then I may as well set it up next to my TV and ignores my PS3 :S?
The other option would be to leave it as a file server and have another computer (like my laptop) doing the transcoding...
Now, for recording Freeview... is the current spec enough for recording at whatever freeview is broadcasting at? And what if I want to reencode the video (cut out the ads, etc.)? I suppose there isn't really a way to view recorded TV on PS3 atm either...
So yeah, just a few dilema, any advice or help would be much appreciated. (Mainly, I have no use for the old 6600GT, don't want the power bill to be too high with a new GPU, and ignore my PS3's "entertainment center" ability, etc...)
Also I am not limited to Windows 7, I was deciding between Windows Server but it doesn't have Media Center. I am open to any linux variants too.
Trusted
