Hi
I have an aging Shuttle PC with an Athlon CPU and a BTG dual TV card, which won't record HD channels. The video o/p is something like 64MB lol,so looks really washed out on my new Smart TV. I'd like to build a new system with HD video and dual tuner capable HD with a case that has a small footprint. Thanks in advance.
New WMC computer recommend spec
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- StinkyImp
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My %.02$ Chronodollars...Peter167 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 03, 2021 6:44 pm Hi
I have an aging Shuttle PC with an Athlon CPU and a BTG dual TV card, which won't record HD channels. The video o/p is something like 64MB lol,so looks really washed out on my new Smart TV. I'd like to build a new system with HD video and dual tuner capable HD with a case that has a small footprint. Thanks in advance.
I've been using one of these for a few years with great success. I run an HDMI cable directly from the PC's onboard port into a 4K TV and am happy with the upscaling, even for 480p video.
I installed Win 7 Pro 64, upped the RAM to 8GB and installed four Hauppauge tuners. It records four programs simultaneously with no effort and has a small footprint.
I went CHEAP because I wanted a Win 7 machine for WMC but don't know how long it will be viable (i.e. it's cheap enough to be disposable).
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Hi Thanks for your reply, that looks like a reasonably good solution,but I don't mind upping the CPU to an i5 given that it is a very old generation cpu. Is it the small form factor one that you have as the site doesn't specify the size 11.4 x 3.7 x 12.3 inches/ (29.0 x 9.3 x 31.2 cms)? I assume that has on board graphics, leaving 2 PCIe slots? Do you have a link or the TV card?
Thanks again.
Thanks again.
- StinkyImp
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I should probably mention that my setup is only used to watch and record OTA signals and NOT cable or satellite!
That is correct. It has the onboard Intel HD Graphics controller with an HDMI port. I used one of my PCIe slots for a Sound Blaster Audigy card I had laying around and use it to pump 5.1 Dolby through my receiver.
Other info:
I got a screaming deal on a 240GB SSD and use that as my OS drive. That made a world of difference!
I use an old Logitech wireless keyboard/mouse combo to control it (NO remote).
I removed the DVD drive and installed an 8TB "recording" drive I found online for a few bucks.
The one I purchased came with Win 7 Pro 64 installed. I think it was an "off-lease" computer. I use mine 99% for WMC and not much else. I haven't had any issues with speed or performance with the i3.
Yes. The one I have is the small form factor with the dimensions you've listed. Here are the specs on my exact unit (3010 SFF).
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System Information
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Time of this report: 2/5/2021, 12:10:43
Machine name: NEW-HTPC
Operating System: Windows 7 Professional 64-bit (6.1, Build 7601) Service Pack 1 (7601.win7sp1_ldr.170427-1518)
Language: English (Regional Setting: English)
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: OptiPlex 3010
BIOS: BIOS Date: 11/16/16 10:11:12 Ver: A17.00
Processor: Intel(R) Core(TM) i3-3220 CPU @ 3.30GHz (4 CPUs), ~3.3GHz
Memory: 8192MB RAM
Available OS Memory: 8094MB RAM
Page File: 7150MB used, 9036MB available
Windows Dir: C:\Windows
DirectX Version: DirectX 11
DX Setup Parameters: Not found
User DPI Setting: 144 DPI (150 percent)
System DPI Setting: 96 DPI (100 percent)
DWM DPI Scaling: Enabled
DxDiag Version: 6.01.7601.17514 64bit Unicode
That is correct. It has the onboard Intel HD Graphics controller with an HDMI port. I used one of my PCIe slots for a Sound Blaster Audigy card I had laying around and use it to pump 5.1 Dolby through my receiver.
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Display Devices
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Card name: Intel(R) HD Graphics
Manufacturer: Intel Corporation
Chip type: Intel(R) HD Graphics Family
DAC type: Internal
Device Key: Enum\PCI\VEN_8086&DEV_0152&SUBSYS_05851028&REV_09
Display Memory: 1696 MB
Dedicated Memory: 64 MB
Shared Memory: 1632 MB
Current Mode: 1920 x 1080 (32 bit) (59Hz)
Monitor Name: Generic PnP Monitor
Monitor Model: U550CV-UMR
Monitor Id: SPT15B9
Native Mode: 3840 x 2160(p) (30.000Hz)
Output Type: HDMI
Driver Name: igdumdim64.dll,igd10iumd64.dll,igd10iumd64.dll,igdumdim32,igd10iumd32,igd10iumd32
Driver File Version: 10.18.0010.4425 (English)
Driver Version: 10.18.10.4425
DDI Version: 11
Driver Model: WDDM 1.1
Driver Attributes: Final Retail
Driver Date/Size: 6/15/2016 11:32:16, 11051456 bytes
WHQL Logo'd: n/a
WHQL Date Stamp: n/a
Device Identifier: {D7B78E66-4212-11CF-D162-8F25B4C2C735}
Vendor ID: 0x8086
Device ID: 0x0152
SubSys ID: 0x05851028
Revision ID: 0x0009
Driver Strong Name: oem11.inf:IntelGfx.NTamd64.6.1:iIVBD_w7:10.18.10.4425:pci\ven_8086&dev_0152&subsys_05851028
Rank Of Driver: 00E60001
Video Accel: ModeMPEG2_A ModeMPEG2_C ModeWMV9_C ModeVC1_C
D3D9 Overlay: Supported
DXVA-HD: Supported
DDraw Status: Enabled
D3D Status: Enabled
AGP Status: Enabled
I use two Hauppauge WinTV-dualHD USB tuners for a total of four tuners.
Other info:
I got a screaming deal on a 240GB SSD and use that as my OS drive. That made a world of difference!
I use an old Logitech wireless keyboard/mouse combo to control it (NO remote).
I removed the DVD drive and installed an 8TB "recording" drive I found online for a few bucks.
- DavidinCT
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Keep in mind. Windows Media Center was designed to run with single core CPUs. So any 3-5 year old desktop should work perfectly and in HD. If your just looking to do 1080p max, then out of the box 95% of them will do fine. If your trying do 4K, then you need a bigger video card to handle it (or a video card that has native h265 support).Peter167 wrote: ↑Wed Feb 03, 2021 6:44 pm Hi
I have an aging Shuttle PC with an Athlon CPU and a BTG dual TV card, which won't record HD channels. The video o/p is something like 64MB lol,so looks really washed out on my new Smart TV. I'd like to build a new system with HD video and dual tuner capable HD with a case that has a small footprint. Thanks in advance.
Also keep in mind, newer processors do not work with Windows 7 or 8.1 due to Microsoft not adding support for them because they want everyone on Windows 10 (in a nut shell).
-Dave
Twitter @TheCoolDave
Windows Media Center certified and WMC MVP 2010 - 2012
Twitter @TheCoolDave
Windows Media Center certified and WMC MVP 2010 - 2012