Is there such a thing as "Too Much HTPC"?

[OTAJuncqui]

So, I’ve got my antenna bringing in the HD signals and I use NextPVR as my media center app. I’ve got my main server(P4 3.4ghz) output to my 720p analogue TV via S-video and two clients( a desktop PC and a netbook PC). I had been transcoding recordings to my Samsung Vice phone but with a display of 2” (diagonal) and the 3gp format I was itching for an upgrade. I entered the third year of my contract with Bell in January and they have been pestering me to upgrade since. I had been keen on the Samsung Galaxy Glide as I am partial to sliders but when I saw the Note(6.25"diagonal) I was captivated. So I’m putzing around at the Bell website when one of those annoying customer service folks wanted to chat and I said, “Hey, I’ll upgrade to the Note today IF you give me the “FUN 12”(caller ID & voicemail a $12/mth service) for free for three years”. There was a pause and I was given a number to call to arrange those terms. DONE DEAL.
That being accomplished and now having a device capable of playing an AVI file I’ve made some edits to some NPVR BAT files.
The first is the “PostProcessing”, it invokes Comskip to mark commercials in the recording that just finished, my addition creates a queue file of recordings and add that recording to the queue. If I had a better CPU I could just run the following from the "PostProcessing" but it's kinda hairy trying to run multiple intances of Comskip, MEncoder and live/recording TV at the same time with this system.
The second is the “UpdateEPG” , which is scheduled to run at 11:59PM to update EPG data, I’ve added some MEncoder commands to run through the queue and first transcode that 1 hour 8gb TS file to a 1 hour 500mb AVI file and then take the avi file and delete the commercials and move the resulting 350mb file to a folder that syncs to my phone.
So, I wake up in the morning and turn off the alarm(yes it’s the phone) disconnect the micro USB which has been charging the phone all night and reconnect the USB to invoke the sync. By the time I’m showered and fed all of the previous evenings recordings are on the phone without commercials.
I guess I’m ready to go then.
If I stay at home I can also access all recordings and video as well as live TV with the phone on my wifi network so I don't have to drag that clunky netbook out on the balconey anymore.

[Jase88]

Forgive me for asking--and no disrespect intended--but was there a point to this long post?

I'm happy that you were able to get a device and deal with your wireless carrier that you had wanted.

Obviously running the best processor possible on your HTPC will ensure the best performance. With a P4, you're likely to see some lag....

[OTAJuncqui]

@Jase88

For me, having a mobile device integrated into an HTPC capable of managing record schedules and veiwing live or recorded media is "icing on the cake" and I went into detail regarding my upgrade to let others know that they can negotiate with their carrier beyond what is offered up front.
When I went to pick up the new phone the clerk at the Bell store remarked, "That's a really good deal, I've never seen that before". That may belong in another thread but my scope here is really on the HTPC.
And actually the picture quality of the phone is better than my TV.

[Jase88]

Okay...I get what you're trying to represent here.

Not sure I'd want to use a phone to watch programming, but if it works for you and others, that's great.

[audacity]

output to my 720p analogue TV via S-video

That's your problem right there.

[57]

...the picture quality of the phone is better than my TV.

What is the exact make/model of that TV? The point audacity is making is that S-video is not capable of HD signals, only 480i:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=76085 Cables & Connections

[OTAJuncqui]

It's a JVC 27" i'Art with 720p, the picture is clear,warm and detailed except that hockey sticks appear "stepped". I could use the component inputs but I'm quite satisfied as is. Last week I purchased a Samsung UN32EH5300 and had a hell of a time tuning the picture and it didn't seem to be able to display an SD(4x3) channel in the correct aspect ratio but the real disapointment came when placed side by side the new Samsung would drop audio and pixilate when the HTPC would not on my weakest station. So I returned it and will not be looking for a "Smart TV" next time as I didn't find those features more useful than having a PC simply outputting to a TV.

[57]

I could use the component inputs but I'm quite satisfied as is

As long as you don't mind watching SD instead of HD! (that's the reason you're seeing the stepping) You didn't provide the model number for the TV, so I can't look up the specs. Almost no CRT (tube) TVs had a 720P native resolution. They may have accepted 720P, but the native display mode was almost always 1080i. Here's the FAQ:

http://www.digitalhome.ca/forum/showthread.php?t=73528 Native Resolution

It's unfair to compare if you haven't optimized the performance of the system. Of course these older CRTs cannot really be compared with today's 1080P TVs, especially when it comes to actual resolution, even if the (SD) picture looks fine to you. You also appear to be satisfied watching TV with a "phone"...

[OTAJuncqui]

I don't expect the JVC to perform in HD but it does a more than adequate job. Although it's tempting to watch on the phone while in front of the JVC I usually reserve this behavior for when I'm not in front of the TV like on the balconey or a waiting in the car, and other idle moments in the day when I'm far from the TV at home. I guess the point I was making is that when I leave the house in the morning I do so with all of my recorded programs from the night before less the commercials(yes even in HD!) and all I do to accomplish this is plug in the phone and come back in twenty minutes.
And I think the comparison of tuner quality is fair given that both audio and video dropped on the Samsung while there was no disturbance through the PC.

[57]

Thank you for that clarification.

I assume that when you mention Tuner Quality, you mean the ATSC tuner in the TV for OTA viewing? It is true that different tuners have different capabilities when it comes to receiving signals, as discussed in the OTA forum, however, sometimes an upstream amp or better RF-coax, or better antenna may improve the signal enough so that weaker channels are no longer an issue.