Help with OTA PVR & Internet video system selection

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albertkao

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Jun 10, 2013
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My roof has an OTA antenna which receives TV signals.
I like to build a PVR system in my living room which will record the OTA TV programs from a TV program guide with remote control.

Requirement:
-Watch internet videos such as Youtube
-Able to watch live OTA TV with pause/rewind/etc
-Able to easily record OTA TV series or movies from the TV tuner
-Watch one channel while recording another channel
-Fast, responsive, and attractive menus and TV guide
-one 1080P HDMI output
-Support linux such as Mythbuntu and OpenELEC
-Ease of use
-Remote friendly
-Quiet
-Use little power



Which hardwares should I get?
I wonder whether ZOTAC Mini-PC and HDHomeRun Digital Tuners are good choices for me.
Please suggest alternatives.
 
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albertkao

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Jun 10, 2013
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Average Customer Review:
2.5 out of 5 stars
which is poor.

I don't think it can watch internet videos such as Youtube.
 
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Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

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You really don't need a lot of processing power for what you're looking to do. My listed HTPC (see specs below) is more than capable for the tasks at hand. I'd probably be looking at an AMD dual-core APU, 4GB of RAM as a base system. Go with the Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 for the dual ATSC tuners.

I think the mini-PCs are a little under powered for dual recording and I generally prefer internal TV Tuner cards, but the SiliconDust HDHomeRun Dual would also work well.

-Wolf sends
 
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albertkao

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Jun 10, 2013
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What remote control or wireless keyboard is good?
Is streaming internet video by Wifi a good idea?
Your HTPC HTPC System use Micro ATX.
How about Mini-ITX Case?
Is Fanless a good idea?
e.g.
Mini Box M350 Embedded Fanless Mini-ITX Case
http://www.itxcanada.com/products/Mini_Box_M350_Embedded_Fanless_Mini_ITX_Case-736-125.html


LIAN LI Black Aluminum PC-Q05B Mini ITX Media Center / HTPC Case
http://www.newegg.ca/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112357
 
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Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

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If you have a Harmony Remote Control already, you supposedly can use that. Otherwise, just about any MCE remote control should work fine.

I have a hard enough time with cable management in my Micro-ATX case, I don't even want to think about trying it in a Mini-ITX case.

I'm not a big fan of fanless cases. My system can run fairly hot, but then I have a graphics card and Ceton TV Tuner installed. I think you'd definitely want fans for airflow.

The Mini Box 350 looks like a nightmare waiting to happen to me. Anything that small is just asking for problems (in my opinion). Also, there's no place for an optical drive (as I said, I like my components internal). The available power supplies leave a lot to be desired.

The Lian-Li case looks like it's only compatible with that one Intel Motherboard.

-Wolf sends
 
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albertkao

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Jun 10, 2013
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Which wireless keyboard is good?
Is streaming internet video by 802.11n a good idea?
If not, should 802.11ac be used?
What will be a good HTPC case which look like a set top box?
 
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Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

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For an ATSC tuner, I wouldn't say that either one is better than the other. PCI-E does have the largest throughput of the three, but an ATSC tuner is not going to max out either of the three. It really just comes down to preference.

An Ethernet based solution could be accessible on multiple network connected devices.
A USB based solution means you do not have to open the case to install it.
A PCI-E based solution means no external devices can be seen.

-Wolf sends
 
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albertkao

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To futureproof my HTPC system, I like to buy
Gigabyte LGA 1155 DDR3 1600 Intel H77 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Mini ITX Motherboard GA-H77N-WIFI
S.1155 H77 Mitx 2ddr3 Wifi on-board graphics
http://www.amazon.ca/dp/product/B009JDTWVC/ref=as_li_ss_tl?ie=UTF8&tag=tonymacx86c0c-20

and
Intel Core i3-3220T CPU

Will it fit any one of the following cases?
Which case is the best?

1.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163174
SILVERSTONE Black Aluminum skin reinforced plastic front panel, 0.8mm SECC body MILO Series ML03B Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case

2.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163205
SILVERSTONE Grandia Series GD05B-USB3.0 Aluminum / 0.8mm SECC micro-ATX / Mini-DTX / Mini-ITX MB, 1x5.25", 2x3.5"+1x2.5"HDD or 1x3.5"+2x2.5"HDD, 3x120mm golf bladed fan, 11" expansion card capable HTPC Case with 2X USB3.0 ports (Black)

3.
hec Black 0.7mm Thickness SECC Steel 7K09BBA30FNRX Micro ATX Media Center 300W Power Supply / HTPC Case
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121100
 
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Wolfshadw

Wolfshadw

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That motherboard will fit within either of the Silverstone cases, but the HEC does not accept the Mini-ITX form factor.
Which case is best is entirely up to you. I'd definitely go with the Grandia series case for the cooling options (I don't need my HTPC dead silent as I can't hear it over the TV anyway).

-Wolf sends
 
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