jonepner said:
boogalooelectric said:
I recommend you get a Silicondust HDHomerun Dual:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E168...
There is also a more expensive version that can stream via UPnP to smart TV's but its double the price and considering your TV is older you dont need it.
This will allow your antenna feed to be used in a pool through your router or a switch. Your HTPC can then be used as a DVR. This unit only has two tuners, so if you need more you will have to buy enough units to fit your needs.
It can use many different dvr programs such as Myth TV, but for what you want to do Windows Media Center is the way to go. Windows Media Center works quite well.
Then get an older Xbox 360, the old white units with the component video and audio cables (you can probably get a used one through Gamestop or similar outlet) for your TV, then set the Xbox as an extender for the HTPC. The xbox will act as a set top box in this config.
Not only will you be able to watch your tv feed via antenna feed, you would also have access to Xbox video, Amazon, Vudu etc, assuming you have an xbox live account. But if not you will still be able to download on your PC then stream it through WMC to the Xbox.
The only other option and probably cheaper at that is to get an HDMI to component adapter from Monoprice.
But in regards to the Silicondust option I have the Homerun prime which uses a Cable Card and acts as the cable box, then I use the same setup described above, but for cable functionality.
Thanks so much Boogaloo! Just so I understand the workflow you are proposing, let me list it here so you can add or correct me, if you don't mind?
OTA Antenna > coax > HDHomeRun Box > Cat5 > Ethernet Hub > Cat5 > XBox > Component Cables RCA connectors > My Old TV.
Additionally, I would have an HTPC with an Ethernet connection to the same hub, and that is what would stream recorded content to the Xbox and into the TV..... XBox would also be my BluRay player.
What about live TV? Does that just follow the same route? So the HTPC would need to be on in order to view live TV? Not a problem, just trying to diagram the whole system .
I like this idea because then I can use a MUCH smaller chassis with integrated graphics and an HDMI out for the future.
Please confirm this or edit so I have a better understanding.
Thanks again!
You pretty much got it right, the only thing I would change is use a gigabit switch instead of a hub. Even a cheap Trendnet would do.
I use a cheap Monoprice switch.
The reason is the ethernet ports on the Xbox's are not the greatest and can be a bit finicky, using a switch will help.
What happens sometimes is the Xbox will display a message at the top right of the display that says 'Network Issue' and it can be annoying sometimes. If you were to connect all this to your router it would be even more common as the router scans all traffic though it so it can slow you down even more and the 'Network Issue' message will become more frequent.
So bypass much of that and get a gigabit switch, it will save you some headache later as eventually you will come to the conclusion that you need one and get one anyway.
The HTPC will need to be on to tune tv channels, I have a win 7 home premium OS. I have a cheap Rosewill WMC remote that works with both the Xbox and HTPC. I set the PC so that the remote will only bring it out of sleep mode and not turn the PC off, then I set it to go to sleep after a half hour of inactivity. So a half hour after I shut down the Xbox and other extenders it goes to sleep. I reboot the HTPC once a week or so, its windows after all.
If I need to use a Keyboard for the HTPC I have one of these:
http://www.cideko.com/pro_con.php?id=3
Its not he best for gaming, but for controlling an HTPC from the couch its great.
Also make sure you go to the Silicondust forums, there are lots of tips there and helpful FAQ's. There are lots of cool little programs to make this set up top notch. They have links to programs like Tuner Salad which enables more tuners in WMC (WMC can only handle 4 tuners, Tuner Salad enables it to handle 8), My CHannel Logos, which will put the channels logos in the guide, its a pretty cool little app, that cost me $5.00 to get.
And if you have any problems the experts on the forum are very responsive and helpful, there is a guy called Mediaman there who will probably be the one to help you, he is very knowledgeable about cable systems and HTPC's.
I got some CAT 6's from Monoprice, they are cheap there and they have most colors so you can match the paint on your walls, carpet etc.
Sorry if I am forgetting something.
If I did, ask and I will answer as best I am able.