HTPC Show us your HTPC setup!

From scouting arround on the internet all day, ive managed to find out about TV over Firewire for watching Pay-Per-View TV (Standard Definition and High Definition)
You need a Set-top Box which has a Firewire port and then a 6-pin to 6-pin firewire cable. There are some drivers that are required as well but once those are installed you are then able to change channel with MCE in windows (MythTV has the features avaliable) and view live TV on your HTPC including those supscription channels that you have.
Problems are however that if your TV supplier impliments the DTCP (C5) content protection method youll only be able to record your programs if the flag is set to "copy freely". Any other of the 3 combinations (Copy once, Copy Never, Copy one generation) and you wont be able to record.
I havnt yet been able to work out if this effects Live TV.
Also the firmware on the STB but allow for the use of the Firewire connection.

This could mainly be a US and Canada affair tho as they have been issued with STB's that have FireWire ports on them.

More Info on STB Driver for windows
FireSTB
Scientific-Atlanta, Inc.
Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. EXPLORER(R) 3250HD
Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. EXPLORER(R) 4200HD
Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. EXPLORER(R) 4250HD - Added 2007-05-16. Updated for PnP ID "4300" 2007-08-07.
Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. EXPLORER(R) 8000HD
Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. EXPLORER(R) 8300HD
Scientific-Atlanta, Inc. EXPLORER(R) 8301HD

Motorola
Motorola DCT-XXXX
Motorola DCH-3200 - Added 2007-10-25
Motorola DCH-3416 - Added 2007-08-04
Motorola DCT-3412
Motorola DCT-3416 - Added 2007-05-15
Motorola DCT-6200
Motorola QIP-6200
Motorola DCT-6208
Motorola DCH-6416 - Added 2007-08-04
Motorola DCT-6412
Motorola DCT-6416
Motorola QIP-6416 - Added 2007-06-04
Motorola 9012
Motorola 9022

Pace - Added 2007-06-06
Pace Laguna - Added 2007-06-06

LG 50PX4DR HDTV DVR - Added 2007-08-01

Samsung SMT-H3050 - Added 2007-12-17

 

im not sure about sattelite tv in the states but you can use firedtv or floppydtv range here http://digital-everywhere.com/en/alcms/index.php?start for uk sky tv and they also can read the CAM cards needed for encrypted stuff...

Tho i have no idea about linux support for it

 

I read about the FloppyDTV cards but you need to get a CAM (Conditional Access Module) that supports the NDS encryption that Sky use. I believe it could be called "DragonCrypt" or somthing along those lines. Also from what ive read, you need to put your sky card back into a sky digital box every so often. The users on other forums said it was to "re-activate" the card, but im really not too up on that.

For paid-for cable, its looking to me that SageTV is the best supported PVR software arround.

 

bumpity, lets see some more of your htpcs!

 

If you insist....



Just reinstalled Windows XP MCE the other day (had this rig running for ~3 years... time for a refresh)
Skt A Sempron 2GHz, 768MB RAM, GeForce 4 MX 4000. Quiet as a mouse, should run for 3 more before I need to upgrade.

 

good stuff, htpcs are a great use for old parts. you so need a new case for it tho
tho as you are a black books fan ill let you off this once!

 

I know that keyboard on top of your HTPC, a MCE keyboard? Thats not cheap, always wanted on though.

 

Indeed, most of the parts were free. I think I spent about £100 tops - this was for the TV tuner, MCE remote and keyboard, a Noctua fan to mod into the PSU and a heatsink. I was toying with the idea of putting it into a Black Mini P180, but I'd be spending about £300 on upgrades which I don't really need. I reckon I'm going to really run this one into the ground.

The MCE keyboard wasn't too bad, it was only about £30, which IMO isn't bad at all for a wireless keyboard, especially when it has a mouse pointer nub with it too (which takes a little getting used to), but I just wish it was bluetooth, it has to have line of sight with the receiver unfortunately as it's IR. And you need to own the MCE remote for the receiver, but that's well worth the money.

 

What the model number/name of the keyboard? I would like to get me one.

 

Microsoft Remote XP Media Center Edition Cordless Keyboard, BackLit Keys, Infrared, Black
Model ZV1-00004

More info at http://scan.co.uk/Product.aspx?WebProductId=266939

I must stress though, you need the Microsoft Media Centre Remote and reciever for it to work, as it does not come with a reciever.

 

Thanks, i will try to get one of these in the states now.

 

I have one of those i don't use anymore, i could be convinced to let it go. though shipping would be hi, as i am in canada.

Also to keep up with this thread this is my current htpc.

http://www.popcornhour.com/onlinestore/

Probably the best 180 bucks i ever spent

Thanks,

lcdguy

 

Finally got the new HTPC up and running after several weeks of problems. PSU RMA, mobo RMA, obscene BSODing and a zillion reinstalls later...

From the captain's chair, feet on the table, my wife would be less than impressed


need to move that lamp glaring in the screen really

close up:



not so close up, the "force feedback" can be spotted just the opposite side of the fireplace



HTPC:
Antec fusion, no fans (just the PSU)
Gigabyte MA78GM-S2H
AMD X2 4850e running at 1.8GHz ~1.0v, Ninja mini running passive
2x1GB Corsair PC6400C4
1TB Samsung F1
Hauppauge DVB-S2 tuner
Enermax Pro82+ 385w
Vista Ultimate x86

 

nice looking stuff there mister tad.... Tho it does look like you are about to watch one tree hill!




feeling the upgradeitis at the moment, for a new turntable (much needed), new speakers, new tv and new receiver!

 

I can assure you this wasn't the case! Honest. I was looking for something interesting to put on the TV, and there wasn't anything :/

 

Ebay is probably as good/cheap a place as any to get it