Beginner HTPC information (1 Viewer)

[eric_thr]

i am looking to learn the basics of capturing video (from multiple sources) and distributing using a dedicated PC. What are some of the best resources to learn? I have a pretty good background with computers.

Thanks in advance.

 

[Scott L]

If you know a lot about computers there's not much you need to learn. Once you get the hardware, you'll be teaching yourself through trial & error.

Hardware:
Canopus ADVC-100 - the easiest to use and very user-friendly. Limited to the DV codec.
Flyvideo 2000 - provides excellent video quality and you can capture to whatever codec you want

Codecs:
Huffyuv - lossless compression codec, once you capture to this you can edit your material over & over with no loss in quality
Xvid - Mpeg-4 derivative which yields the best quality and encoding time of the other MP4 choices
Divx 5x Pro - Most popular MP4 codec but it's not up to par with Xvid. Yields above average quality but encoding time is slow, and it ain't free.
TMPGEnc Plus - Relatively cheap MPEG-2 encoding solution for DVDs

Software:
Adobe Premiere - edits DV video, again the most popular but there are probably better options at a better price now.
DVD-Lab - HTF's favorite DVD making program

* www.doom9.net is a great resource to learn the basics of vidcapping.

 

[eric_thr]

good info, thanks. here is my understanding from your categories, let me know if I missed anything:

- Build computer - got that one
- I need a capture card for each input, 2 satellite dish boxes, one OTA antenna, one external DVD = 4 cards.
- Software to process/view/time shift/manage video streams
- Software for any editing of saved video

Sound complete?

 

[Scott L]

Oooo multiple sources, that puts a spin on things. I use a component switcher (my receiver) to choose which source goes to the HTPC, so it isn't automated. I don't think getting 4 seperate vidcap cards will work. Most capturing software only lets you select 1 card to work from, especially when setting a timer.

Just curious but why would you need 2 Satellite dishes to input into your HTPC? You have DirecTV and Dish Network? I'd just get 1 card, and an S-video switcher.

To put DVD on your computer don't even think about a capture card. Grab a DVD-ROM and use a program to grab each chapter digitally to your HD. If it's for backup purposes this is the only way to go.

 

[Vince Maskeeper]

The "capture" cards scott outlined are for capturing video for editing/production reason- it is not the best solution for using the computer as a scaling device in real time.

I would suggest reading up on AVS (www.avsforum.com) on time shifting solutions.

 

[Scott L]

yea very true. I was under the impression you didn't need a scaler but if you do there are better options than the FV2k. The Hauppauge PVR250 and Holo3d come to mind.

 

[eric_thr]

Wanted to manage multiple streams to record two different shows and watch a DVD at the same time. Not necessarily practical....I'll read up on it some more.