Satellite TV HTPC - Help

[contemptx]

OK...

I currently have just about every satellite receiver going! (VU+ Duo, DM8000, DM800)

However I want to build a low-cost Satellite HTPC. (£150...?)
I'm not looking to build a budget machine due to lack of funds, i'm trying to work out if could build a satellite TV enabled HTPC that could give the same or better performance as the satellite recievers I use for the same money.

I'm not looking to run anything heavy, something like openelec / xmbc.

Specs:
I'm having a hard time trying to determin what kind of specs the system would have to have, the reason im confused is that some sources say that a Dual Core would be required to decode HD?

But the receivers I use have low-end cpu's like 400htz and even my Raspberry Pi can play 1080P?

Would the satellite card not do the processing work?


Minimum Requirements:
HTPC Case
HD Satellite TV PCI Card (2x single or 1x dual... whichever are compatible)
HDMI
Remote Control


Any help on this would be much appreciated!

 

[Bluntwrapped]

http://www.overclockers.co.uk/showproduct.php?prodid=BU-187-OK&groupid=43&catid=2047&subcat=

That will do what you need and it's a great price. All your satellite receiver is doing is receiving and processing the signal. You need a graphics card or integrated GPU to display your HD 1080p. The AMD A4-3300 CPU in the bundle has Radeon 6410 HD integrated graphics which will do what you want and more.

£108 on the bundle, rest on a cheap PSU and case

edit: I misread and thought you had a HD TV card already.. I think you may be struggling on that budget unless you can pick up some used parts cheap.

 

[Sootie]

You are looking at £70+ just for a card - something like a TBS 6981.

By the time you've bought the rest, you will need to have doubled your budget.

The quality will never touch a Vu+ Duo or a DM8000 - been there, done that. You would spend most of your time playing and configuring rather than watching anything!

 

[contemptx]

Hi Guy's
Thanks for your responses.

@Bluntwrapped, that is indeed cheap! i didnt realise bundles were so cheap its been years since i built a pc

@scootie, as in quality wise do you mean the interface? or performance.. ?
as i build images for the VU and DM and have taken a look at XBMC / Openelec and although the setup is more involved, it seems that once its setup it can also accomplish a lot more.


I have updated what im now looking for in a setup & the satellite card you mentioned seems about the best one for the price so thats set!

Media Center HTPC:

Processor: Dual Core
Ram: 2GB
Hard Drive: 500GB
Graphics: HD
Case: HTPC

Satellite Card: TBS6981 - £89.99

I'm looking to end up with something like this (similar looks / specs but with a satellite card):

-removed link - sorry!

This is for sale for £270ish thats including shipping and them making a profit...
so taking into account the satellite card price, im uping my budget to £250-£300

With that budget would this be doable?

 

[Bluntwrapped]

I'd remove the link and prices mate before they get removed for you

Something like this maybe:

YOUR BASKET
1 x Xenon AMD A4-3300 2.50GHz Bundle - Dual Core £108.00 (4GB RAM )
1 x Compro VideoMate E900F Dual Tuner TV Card - Retail £84.98
1 x Seagate Barracuda 7200.12 500GB SATA 6Gb/s 16MB Cache - OEM (ST500DM002) £53.99
1 x OcUK Opera Media Case - Black (with 500W PSU) £39.98
Total : £300.46 (includes shipping : £11.25).



The TV card above is in the same price range as the one you have your eye on.