BTV - Specifications

[RePete]

Hi all. I'll try to keep this brief and simple. I've read the specs for BTV. I've also done a search on this topic (Please point out an existing thread if one exists). I have a system with the following specs:

PIII 1.0 GHz
512 MB RAM
40 GB 7200 RPM HDD
ATI All-In-Wonder 128 (Old, old card...Planning on upgrading to a Hauppauge WinTV-PVR 500MCE)
Windows XP SP2

Trials I've done with BTV had poor real time TV playback. I wonder how many of the difficulties I had while trialing BTV were due to the card I'm currently running.

The question is, does anyone know if these specs are sufficient (With the Hauppauge card) to get nice TV playback, ff/rw of live TV and recording two different programs with the Hauppauge card's two tuners, and use of BTV Link? I can't afford to upgrade this machine if the specs aren't sufficient...

Cheers,
Peter

[merrypig]

I'd say that you shoudl be ok with a hw capture card. But you'll be a little bit limited if you want to run other things on the server. However, can I suggest something..

Ultimately, you'll want to get a hw capture card regardless of the processor. (just my opinion but it's so much easier than messing with sw captures).

That capture card will work in your present machine or a new one. So you could just get the capture card and try it. And if it doesn't; then consider upgrading the machine later...

Unless the option is to do nothing at all if you had to upgrade the lot due to costs.. Then..well... can you borrow a card from a friend to try?

[RePete]

Heh. You can count the number of people in New Zealand with PVRs on one hand, so I wouldn't be able to borrow a card. Guess I'll just bite the bullet and hope it works.

Cheers,
Peter

[Khris]

The PVR500 card is amazing! I don't regret buying mine at all!