[jkluzi (Unverified) Posted Sep 17th 2008 12:21PM]

I realize I'm not answering the quesiton, but why would you have to "boot up a HTPC all the time?" Just leave it on. If it's power consumption you're worried about, then enable ACPI S3 (suspend to ram) - power consumption is minimal and your HTPC is back and ready to roll in seconds.

[Posted Sep 17th 2008 1:06PM]

I've often thought about making a HTPC for my setup, but I generally fin 2 problems with the Idea:
1.) I have DirecTv
2.) Its gonna cost quite a bit more than the $200 bucks I can grab a Dvr for.

I know you obviously get way more in the way of functionality, but I just can't see doing it any time soon... or until I win the lottery :P

[Posted Sep 17th 2008 2:53PM]

@derek

I just built an HTPC for about $350 (Linux OS). That's not too much more than a stand alone DVR, which BTW is probably closer to $300 than $200. Granted, I did reuse a TV tuner that I already had. Many tuner cards will work with DirecTV by using an IR blaster to control to DTV box.

[Tim (Unverified) Posted Sep 17th 2008 11:54PM]

I love my media center set up. I have 2 HD Home Runs (4 tuners) so I have no recording conflicts. My PC sits in the closet, happily recording whatever OTA programs I want. I use XBox 360s (one in the living room, one in the bedroom) to stream TV and movies around the house. And the media center has 4 TB of storage, so plenty of space for TV and movies. I can't record cable or satellite (yet), but I'm not missing it much. Plenty of HD for me. I think the best thing is being able to stop a program in one room and start it back up in another room.

[Ankur (Unverified) Posted Sep 19th 2008 4:05PM]

@Glen,

If you don't mind me asking, what components did you use for your $350 HTPC? I'm looking to put together a low cost HTPC and would appreciate some suggestions.

Thanks!