You guys keep talking about DIY but that means he doesn't get a real HD tuner (OTA by itself doesn't cover it). The best experience is with a CableCARD tuner. The cheapest ones you can get are from Dell (XPS 420) or HP (m9400t). They'll run you for $1-$2k depending on options and coupons available. The problem with these is that they come in regular towers as opposed to a nicer htpc cases, for that you'd have to spend big on velocity micro, niveus or some other boutique which goes to your $3k range.
I would agree. I have built my own for many years, but for my HTPC I bought a system to get CableCards. That's really the only reason I can think of to buy pre-built over building it yourself.
As for suggestions: I'm very happy with my Velocity Micro Cinemagix Grand Theater. Dual CableCard tuners cost $600, so that put the total cost at around $2500. I haven't had too many problems with the CableCards (did have to replace one after about a year), but I did my research, and I know others have different experiences.
I agree. The true integrated experience will require a DCT. I have the HP d5000t. Considering replacing the standard PC tower case with one optimized for HTPC use.
The Cost? $1100 (single ATI DCT tuner). Take the cable tuner away and you have a price that's pretty much on par with a DIY.
if you need cable cards, why not get the hardware that accept the cable cards (a nice graphics card that supports it would do the trick) and then get the cards from the cable company. they're gonna charge you that danged monthly fee, but it's usually cheaper than the actual cable box rental. and then you can DIY and have cable cards which is the best way to get your tv. but then again guys, what's wrong with the solid coaxial cable plugged in? i know where i live (upstate, ny time warner cable) people with standard cable can get hd channels so long as they have cable and an atsc tuner. if his card had one (mine does) he'll get hd tv on his HTPC
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You guys keep talking about DIY but that means he doesn't get a real HD tuner (OTA by itself doesn't cover it). The best experience is with a CableCARD tuner. The cheapest ones you can get are from Dell (XPS 420) or HP (m9400t). They'll run you for $1-$2k depending on options and coupons available. The problem with these is that they come in regular towers as opposed to a nicer htpc cases, for that you'd have to spend big on velocity micro, niveus or some other boutique which goes to your $3k range.
I would agree. I have built my own for many years, but for my HTPC I bought a system to get CableCards. That's really the only reason I can think of to buy pre-built over building it yourself.
As for suggestions: I'm very happy with my Velocity Micro Cinemagix Grand Theater. Dual CableCard tuners cost $600, so that put the total cost at around $2500. I haven't had too many problems with the CableCards (did have to replace one after about a year), but I did my research, and I know others have different experiences.
I agree. The true integrated experience will require a DCT. I have the HP d5000t. Considering replacing the standard PC tower case with one optimized for HTPC use.
The Cost? $1100 (single ATI DCT tuner). Take the cable tuner away and you have a price that's pretty much on par with a DIY.
Online coupons baby.
if you need cable cards, why not get the hardware that accept the cable cards (a nice graphics card that supports it would do the trick) and then get the cards from the cable company. they're gonna charge you that danged monthly fee, but it's usually cheaper than the actual cable box rental. and then you can DIY and have cable cards which is the best way to get your tv. but then again guys, what's wrong with the solid coaxial cable plugged in? i know where i live (upstate, ny time warner cable) people with standard cable can get hd channels so long as they have cable and an atsc tuner. if his card had one (mine does) he'll get hd tv on his HTPC
oh yea, you also could get the hdtv box from the company and then use firewire to link it to the htpc.
that also works...