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Requirements to build a media centre at home

what is the hardware and software requirements to build a media centre at home? heard XBMC is good. need some guidance on how to set this up from scratch?

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Lior Karasenti

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Lee W, MVP

Question - do you want to WATCH AND RECORD HDTV from CABLE TELEVISION OR FiOS in the United States?

Yes? You must use Windows Media Center. No option that I'm aware of thanks to the DMCA. You would get a CableCard Tuner and a CableCard from Cable or FiOS and use Media Center.

If no, then there are many options around, but I only use Media Center from Windows because I watch and record through a CableCard tuner.

Callandor

I wasn't aware of any restrictions on recording FIOS - I got an HDHomeRun Prime and a cablecard, and I run NPVR software to record unencrypted programs. Verizon will be happy to sell you a dvr, but the cable card will let you use any manufacturer.

grnow

ASKER

liorkr, thanks for the various links. think i would like to try out xbmc freak and the microsoft MCE. from the link http://www.xbmcfreak.nl/en, , think i am still quite confused how to get started. is it similiar to downloading the image and installing it to a desktop or laptop?
is XBMC Live another good alternative and user friendly?

leew, i think main purpose is to download the movies and able to navigate and watch it in a user friendly manner.

Lior Karasenti

Yes its exactly like download image
Its thin ubuntu version with lots of optimizations and special drivers
for media center
The live is like Microsoft PE,for me the live cd didn't work well but you can test it maybe it will work well for you
You probably need some time to learn all XBMC options but like every open source you have
large community that help and unlike Microsoft products when it up and running it's just going on and on.. my media center was installed 3 years ago and still running smooth

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Lee W, MVP

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grnow

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liorkr, yes, will need more time to read up on this. guess for the short time frame available now, looking into getting a more easier to setup option. Is it more advisable to get a dedicated normal cpu or something like Zotac z box for the media centre setup in long run?

leew, have not tried the windows 7 media centre, will give it a try.

which TV tuner is more recommended?

thanks

grnow

ASKER

idea is good, will need more time to explore

TraJohnson

As far as hardware goes take a look at the Raspberry Pi. There is a build of xbmc for that platform and I've been running it for a while now. It took a while for my Pi to ship but it has been a fun little project.