HTPC Setup Questions

[Wolverine7]

I've been using BTV on my main machine for quite some time, and am used to seeing it run on a 2.66GHz P4, AIW9800Pro + PVR250 combination. Works great, and I'm quite happy with how things have been so far.

However, I am in the process of setting up a LCD projector home theater, and I would like to dedicate an old box to drive the BTV there instead. This has a couple of implications, so I was wondering if anyone has had experience with the following items:

1) My choices for the old box are a Celeron "450" (OCd 300 still kickin great) or an Athlon 1000. Since this is a significant drop in processor speed, is this going to be an issue with BTV if I put in a PVR 250 into that box?

2) I've read people recommending FX5200 cards to compliment the PVR. Since I have no plans to move my AIW 9800 Pro out of my main box, this could potentially mean the old box gets a PVR 250 and the Geforce2 that's in it now. If the thing is hooked up to a projector which accepts analog VGA in anyway, do I even need to bother with a TV Out type of card? Can I run strictly with the PVR and route the Geforce2 into the projector?

3) Remote controls - Choices are to snag the AIW's remote for the HTPC box or try to set up the PVR 250 remote. Any recommendations?

[jkoon]

I doubt that that Celeron will be able to handle the workload, and even if it could do the recordings I doubt it would have the power to handle the full screen interface. But your geforce2 should be just fine since you can hook it straight into the projector (no need for tv out).

[archie]

i agree with jkoon. use the amd 1000. and use the hauppage remote if you'd like to keep you aiw system together. i exclusively use the hauppage remote with btv and am very happy with it.

archie