A DVR Recipe: Low-Power, AMD-Based DVR with Blu-Ray

From Wiley Style comes the story of a homemade DVR that I’m sure many Build A DVR readers can relate to. Ups and downs, hardware swaps, disappointments with software. In the end, however, the journey is worth it and another successful DVR joins the world.

Build details:

  • AMD Phenom X4 9150e processor
  • An nForce 750A motherboard with HDMI (here are two that fit the bill: a Zotac and an XFX (neither have great reviews)
  • Originally, Hauppauge 1600
  • An GeForce 8400 GS video card was later added to power Blu-Ray playback
  • The Hauppauge was upgraded to an 1800 for dual HD tuner support
  • A Logitech Harmony 360 remote for Xbox 360 control
  • Vista Ultimate for media center software
  • 1 TB hard drive
  • Arcsoft TotalMedia Theater

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