Yustr,
you're a real gent, I really appreciate your input.
OooP's - I hadn't realised the TV Tuner wasn't HD.
I don't have the HD Sat Box just yet, it's on my shopping list to buy soon, I will add an HD Tuner Card to it now.
LCD TV is 1080P with built-in Free-to-air digital receiver although I wasn't planning on using it, instead I will use a separate Free-to-air Box that I have.
WILL I BE GET HD ON THE TV WHEN PLAYING HD DVD's AND NORMAL DIGITAL ON EVERYTHING ELSE IF I CONNECT AS FOLLOWS:
- Roof Aerial (Free-to-Air digital) connected to Free-view Box connected to PC TV Card "DVB-T".
- Sat Aerial connected to Non HD Sat Box connected to PC TV Card "DVB-S".
- HDMI cable linking PC & TV, possibly with amplifier / extender.
- I have tested the MC Remote Control - when seated in front of the TV it's able to control MC on the upstairs PC, this is a benefit of living in an open-planned house.
SITTING IN FRONT OF THE TV WHAT FUNCTIONALITY WILL I HAVE:
Not having used Media Center yet can you clarify what I will / will not be able to do taking into consideration the above set-up. For example, will I be able to switch between Satellite and Free-to-air broadcasts, if so can I do it all via the MC Remote Control or will I need to use the Satellite and Free-to-air Remote Controls, in which case I will need to set up a transmitter/receiver to relay the signal. Will I be able to program MC to record programs or play back recorded programs, and not to forget, will I be able to pause/time shift live programs.
FYI I already have a transmitter/receiver to relay the signals, I use it to control my satellite box and DVD player that I have hidden away in a cupboard out of sight, really neat!
FINALLY - Am I correct in thinking I will simply (nothing is quite that simple) be able to swap the Sat Box and Tuner Card for HD the ones when I get them.
As you rightly said I / we haven't mentioned Audio. I've been looking into this also but didn't want to cloud the waters! If you have any basic advice please pass it on. So far I have been thinking of getting something simple, I don't have buckets of money to spend and I don't want to have cables running all over the place. One solution that I have seen is the Evesham Sound Stage, what do you think of it, see link below
http://www.evesham.com/products/info...E-B59E0B5D27C3
I am hoping that the PC's specification of "digital home cinema 8-channel high definition audio out" applies when connecting the PC and TV via HDMI cable, what do you think?
Thanks Again for your support