New HTPC back-end with Ceton InfiniTV

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fundragon

December 20, 2012 10:35:59 PM

I want to build a new system to record television from Comcast basic (digital) cable using my newly-purchased Ceton InfiniTV 4 (PCIe). Intended usage goes something like this:

Schedule recording for the week (Media Center or MythTV)

Record up to 4 (potentially HD) channels at once

Serve a video stream for 2 (or maybe 3) previously-recorded shows to other computers/consoles in the house - e.g. to i3-3220 HTPC, Intel NUC, or XBOX360

Serve an audio stream for 1 or 2 music playlists to other computers/consoles in the house

Transcode video recordings when the computer is otherwise idle (when content copy flags allow it)

Write video to DVD, audio to CD, for playback at locations not served by computers (when content copy flags allow it)

Nice, but not necessary: Stream a "live" video channel to other computers/consoles in the house
I might want to expand to more simultaneous television channel recording later... on the order of 6 channels or so.

Not needed: Viewing HDTV on this back-end computer itself (vs. streaming to media extenders or other front-ends)

Approximate Purchase Date: As soon as I figure out what to buy

Budget Range: Looking for minimum cost to do the job well

System Usage from Most to Least Important: Recording at least 4 channels of cable TV simultaneously, streaming up to 2 or 3 programs to any of five remote systems simultaneously, transcoding videos when the recording flags allow it (transcoding can be delayed until no recording is active), serving music streaming to any of five remote systems, DVD and CD writing (when content copy flags allow it)

Parts Not Required: keyboard, mouse, monitor, speakers, tuner (have Ceton InfiniTV and M-Card)

Preferred Website(s) for Parts: I like newegg, but will use whoever has the best deals

Country: U.S.A.

Parts Preferences: Prefer Intel CPUs as a general rule

Overclocking: No

SLI or Crossfire: No, that would be silly for my intended usage

Monitor Resolution: 2048x1152 is the optimal resolution for my monitor, but for this system I can use lower resolution as I just need to access via monitor to control the box

Additional Comments: Prefer somewhat quiet, but doesn't need to be HTPC-in-the-living-room quiet as it will sit in my home office with other tower PCs

Thank you!