plannig on building a small htpc

[lrmat]

I have an old dell 4500 with a 2.4 gig Pentium, 1 gig of ram (2 x 512 one stick a crucial I added later). Two drives an 80 gig and 120 gig ide and an ati 9600xt video card. The system also has a dvd burner.

I am thinking of buying the shuttle SS56L and making a htpc to leave at work and just record ppv movies (I work for the cable company) and burn them to dvd for later viewing at home. Ideally I would like to also be able to view dvds upconverted to hd resolutions. I don?t really plan to play games on this (even though the 9600xt is capable).

What do I need? What do I need to know? Any recommendations? Is 2.4 enough o upconvert dvds? What software do I need?

Also I am debating taking my time (this is a spare pc so I?m not in a rush to get it to work) and using linux or spending the cash and getting windows media edition.

I am posting this on the general forum and the sff for advice, comments, directions, etc. thank you all so much.

 

[lrmat]

any takers? no one?

 

[imported_OrSin]

This forum sucks for HTPC questions.
Go to avsforum.

Any computer is can play dvd to a tv. For unconversion you need to get the right software and hardware. Also even double layer DVD will hold a full upconverted movie. I would say it might take 3-4 dvd. Its best to get an extental hard drive and copy them to thier and then play them back from you computer at home.

Either way go to avsforum they are already have all your answers.

 

[lrmat]

thanks, OrSin, i was starting to feel neglected.

 

[Liver]

yes, avsforum rocks. do not mention your ppv plan (copying without owning). that will get you banned over there.