I spent last year planning the lowest level of my HA system (security) and by now the design of this layer is about completed. The implementation is about 70%. As we say, this is a hobby and we always find areas of improvement. <_<
So now I'm thinking about the higher levels. I dont have anything in specific next, but with my child's addiction to TV and movies, an HTPC looks like a good candidate. I'm also interested in security (outside) and convenience CCTV (like monitoring by baby's room).
So my question is, what is the difference between CCTV and HTPC/PVR cards? First, I'm assuming that a PVR and a HTPC is the same thing, so please correct me if I'm wrong.
Second, aren't those two cards simply video capture cards? Shouldn't they be the same thing? If not, what are the differences? What are the charasteristics that make and HPTC and a CCTV cards better than a simple video capture card? What should I look for when shopping an HTPC card? What should I look for when shopping a CCTV card?
In my TV, I use DirecTVLA (Latin America) so I need my HTPC system to control my box via IR and capture the decoded signal from the box. I might combine this with regular local TV stations.
For CCTV I most probably use regular cameras since they provide the best selection and value - so I'll need analog CCTV cards. Ethernet or wireless cameras are very convenient (specially in my 100% concrete old house) but today they are expensive and don't provide the same quality.
So now I'm thinking about the higher levels. I dont have anything in specific next, but with my child's addiction to TV and movies, an HTPC looks like a good candidate. I'm also interested in security (outside) and convenience CCTV (like monitoring by baby's room).
So my question is, what is the difference between CCTV and HTPC/PVR cards? First, I'm assuming that a PVR and a HTPC is the same thing, so please correct me if I'm wrong.
Second, aren't those two cards simply video capture cards? Shouldn't they be the same thing? If not, what are the differences? What are the charasteristics that make and HPTC and a CCTV cards better than a simple video capture card? What should I look for when shopping an HTPC card? What should I look for when shopping a CCTV card?
In my TV, I use DirecTVLA (Latin America) so I need my HTPC system to control my box via IR and capture the decoded signal from the box. I might combine this with regular local TV stations.
For CCTV I most probably use regular cameras since they provide the best selection and value - so I'll need analog CCTV cards. Ethernet or wireless cameras are very convenient (specially in my 100% concrete old house) but today they are expensive and don't provide the same quality.