HTPC TV Recording / Streaming Advice

*salutes*

Now that I've finished my new cpu build I've decided to convert my old cpu into an HTPC. The cpu is probably overkill for an HTPC Spec: i7 920 , 12g ram, 6870 gpu: but it's better to utilize it somehow instead of just letting it sit in the closet.

My goal is to get rid of Dish Network completely as there are only a couple of tv shows I watch, but wife does have a plethora of different shows she loves. I've checked out different network sites and most of her shows are available via the network site or through Media Center. So we should be ok there.

Local programming is going to be an issue though as we will not be purchasing a digital antennae. We tested a couple at a store and after looking at the DTV.gov site and talking with the sales person decided against even attempting it. There would be only 1 station that we "may" be able to recieve as it is a very week signal and the other local stations all would have no signal. So we'd have to figure out how to get local news. Probably the websites.

My wife "loves" being able to record her shows and come back to watch them. With streaming I imagine this would not be an issue. But what if we wanted to record any shows directly to the computer and come back later to watch. How would we go about doing this? I was thinking of a TV Tuner, but that would be pointless if we aren't going to have cable/satellite to hook into it wouldn't it? This is the main issue I'm trying to figure out.

We will continue to use Dish Network until June possible, but I wish to switch fully to internet tv by then. I want to be able to record shows for the wife, and we will be using our Netflix to stream movies. As for watching MLB, I suppose I'm going to have to subscribe to MLB Network to watch the Brewer game as I will be losing Fox Sports North.


Getting cable is not an option as we do not have a cable provider in the area and since we are trying to cut down on the bills as I'm a stay at home dad / parttime teacher now, I want to get away from satellite providers altogether. Also, a little info on our area: We also do not receive cell signals within 10 miles of home. "boondocks"!!!!!

So if anyone has advice and tips please let me know how to proceed!



Thanks!

Christian

I have no advice, but my situation is a LOT like yours. Thankfully I know a future plan is bringing fiber right past my house to link the two rural telephone companies that already work together. When they do that, I'll be upgraded to fiber to the house and can get cable from the telephone company as well instead of using DirecTV. Until then we are sticking with what we have so hubby can watch his sports and I can hog the computer when we aren't doing something else. Just not sure when the fiber connect will happen because we are talking two little local ma and pa telephone companies here. =)