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rjsimmons · 03-19-2008, 11:32 AM

Your system will probably work fine for SD (standard definition), but I would be amazed if it worked for HD (high definition) material. You run into several problems with HD material.

First, it will require significantly form space on your hard disk to hold the recordings. 250GB disk will hold about 30 hours.

Second, playback requirements really require a more powerful/advanced video card. The 7600 you mention may work, but it will be on the edge. There are a number of newer cards out that will not break the bank (the ATI Radeon 2400 models come to mind), but he most inexpensive are all PCIe not AGP.

This can be compensated for by faster CPUs, but you are short on this as well. The AMD 4200 is probably at the low end of acceptable here.

I have seen a low end system specified using current (or at least recent) parts) that came in at about $300. It was AMD based. Look over recent posts in the AVS forum under home theater computers.

Good luck.

(I like the Sage interface, by the way. Great software and minimal system requirements. Very flexible. You can try it for 30 days free.)

03-19-2008, 11:32 AM	#9 of 22
rjsimmons *Ronald Simmons* Member Join Date: Mar 2008 Local Time: 07:35 PM Local Date: 10-11-2008 Posts: 1	Re: Possible to build HD HTPC on the cheap? Your system will probably work fine for SD (standard definition), but I would be amazed if it worked for HD (high definition) material. You run into several problems with HD material. First, it will require significantly form space on your hard disk to hold the recordings. 250GB disk will hold about 30 hours. Second, playback requirements really require a more powerful/advanced video card. The 7600 you mention may work, but it will be on the edge. There are a number of newer cards out that will not break the bank (the ATI Radeon 2400 models come to mind), but he most inexpensive are all PCIe not AGP. This can be compensated for by faster CPUs, but you are short on this as well. The AMD 4200 is probably at the low end of acceptable here. I have seen a low end system specified using current (or at least recent) parts) that came in at about $300. It was AMD based. Look over recent posts in the AVS forum under home theater computers. Good luck. (I like the Sage interface, by the way. Great software and minimal system requirements. Very flexible. You can try it for 30 days free.)