New to HTPC and need help

[bmurphy2121]

I need some help. I just got recently got a Dell XPS X8300-197NBK and am not real familiar with the computer and how Windows 7 works since Im used to XP, that being said Im very unsure how to navigate the computer and what it can do. I have messed around on it a little and noticed in Windows Media that is has a Live TV thing but not sure how to get that to work. It says that I need to get a TV Tuner to get it to work. I would like to use that option but dont know what kind of TV Tuner I would need or anything else I would need to make this option work for the computer that I have or if it is even worth persueing this option. Next question that I have is on the back of the computer there is a spot called XPS 8300 where there are a bunch of inputs like HDMI, VGA, digital optical and so on, down below that there is a card that has HDMI input and a couple other connections like VGA, my question is which HDMI input shoud I use? Ive also noticed that it is THX certified too what does that mean on computers? I guess the main thing is I want to take full advantage of this machine and be able to have a great HTPC set up.

Thanks for all your patients and Im new to this and am trying to gain knowalage and learn about this subject.

 

[jonnythan]

For Live TV, you need a TV tuner such as the internal Hauppauge 2250 or external HD Home Run. Then of course you need a signal, such as an antenna or cable. This would let you watch live TV on your computer and use it as a DVR.

The HDMI ports are outputs. You should be using one of the ones on the bottom, which would be a separate graphics card.

The THX certification doesn't really mean much of anything at all.

 

[bmurphy2121]

So that Hauppauge 2250 seems pretty expensive to me. I was looking on Best Buy and they sell a Hauppauge 1199 for $89 why is the one the you said so expensive? If I were to get that card is that all I will need for my computer?

Ok for as the HDMI outputs why are there 2 of them and the one on top has HDMI and a digital optical output too? is one better than the other? or shoud I be using one to run to my reciever and the other to the TV? Since this comp has a graphics card on it then what is the XPS thing all about then on the back?

Sorry again for all the questions I just dont understand.

 

[jonnythan]

The 2250 is dual-tuner, meaning you can record one program while watching another. The 1600 has only one tuner, so you can only watch or record one station at a time.

The HDMI port(s) up by your USB ports and whatnot are the ones for the integrated graphics card. Sounds like you opted for a discrete, add-on graphics card, meaning you're not using the integrated graphics. So you can ignore the upper ones. The optical output is part of your motherboard's sound card and you are free to use it to run to a receiver or whatever.

 

[bmurphy2121]

Ok I understand the idea of the TV tuner but the one that Ive seen at Best Buy is also a dual tuner to its a Hauppauge 1199. I wondering if that will fit.

Im not sure about the upper area where the HDMI is cause in that same area it also has ports that u can plug speakers into it and seperate them as you would do on a reciever. On the lower portion there is also a HDMI port and that is on a card. The thing is is the upper portion when I plug the HDMI in it dosent show me a siginal and but when I pulg the HDMI in the card it works fine. Im just wondering what the upper portion is used for and if I can even use it.

 

[jonnythan]

Ok I understand the idea of the TV tuner but the one that Ive seen at Best Buy is also a dual tuner to its a Hauppauge 1199. I wondering if that will fit.

Im not sure about the upper area where the HDMI is cause in that same area it also has ports that u can plug speakers into it and seperate them as you would do on a reciever. On the lower portion there is also a HDMI port and that is on a card. The thing is is the upper portion when I plug the HDMI in it dosent show me a siginal and but when I pulg the HDMI in the card it works fine. Im just wondering what the upper portion is used for and if I can even use it.

It has one analog tuner and one digital tuner. It's not dual digital tuner like the 2250. There are no more analog broadcasts.

As I've already said, the HDMI port on the upper portion is for your motherboard's built-in graphics card. Since you have a discrete graphics card, the graphics card of the motherboard is completely disabled. That's why you don't get a signal from it. You need to use the HDMI port on the graphics card, in the lower portion.

 

[Adam]

There are no more analog broadcasts.

There are still some. I'm familiar with this because I get my TV from over-the -air broadcasts. Around here, it's mostly Latin channels that still broadcast in analog. Here's a list of stations (analog and digital) in the Lisle, IL area.

 

[jonnythan]

There are still some. I'm familiar with this because I get my TV from over-the -air broadcasts. Around here, it's mostly Latin channels that still broadcast in analog. Here's a list of stations (analog and digital) in the Lisle, IL area.

Of course, and most cable providers still have some analog, but none of it is HD (obviously) and pretty much none of it is a major network.

 

[bmurphy2121]

It has one analog tuner and one digital tuner. It's not dual digital tuner like the 2250. There are no more analog broadcasts.

As I've already said, the HDMI port on the upper portion is for your motherboard's built-in graphics card. Since you have a discrete graphics card, the graphics card of the motherboard is completely disabled. That's why you don't get a signal from it. You need to use the HDMI port on the graphics card, in the lower portion.

I now understand bout the TV tuner so best was is to get the one that ur talking about.

Thanks for clearing that up on the HDMI thing it makes more since now. Would it be better to use the graphics card or to use the motherboard card? If the mother board is better how do I enable it and disable the other one?

 

[jonnythan]

The motherboard card is inferior and disabled. It's turned off. Forget it's there. You don't need to enable or disable anything.

 

[jonnythan]

XBMC doesn't include TV tuner/PVR support.

He already has MC. MC is rad and it just works.