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Re: HTPC Build In Progress
#128299 02/14/06 04:55 PM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 284
local
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local
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I recently went through the excercize of pricing a list of recomended components of a low cost purpose built HTPC. Without making too many compromises it looked like $1000-$1200 plus operating system. It could be done for less but It seemed like that would start to compromise more than I would have liked. One of my motivations was to be able to incorporate BLU-Ray/HD DVD(not included in above cost estimate) and HD DVR capability so its on hold for me until that is both possible and sorted out. Quiet running and excellent heat managment are key elements in selecting components.


Mark
Re: HTPC Build In Progress
#128300 02/14/06 05:34 PM
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If you are using an HTPC strictly for music, you really don't need a fast processor, you can spend the money on hard drives.

Also, if you are using SPDIF, you don't need an expensive sound card. It simply will make no difference. Think of an SPDIF port on a sound card like a USB port on a USB expension card, you can't really get "better" quality. It's just a digital port connected directly to the computer. Any and all circuitry on the sound card is pretty much bypassed. I think the MSI motherboard you are looking at has SPDIF on it, that should suffice.

If you want to use it for TV and DVD's, you will want any video card with DVI out. If you don't plan to be gaming, an ATI Radeon 9200 PCI or AGP card will do just fine. I wouldn't recommend getting an AIW card simply because if you want to upgrade, you have to get another AIW card. Dual HDTV tuners would do the trick.

I am a huge stickler on the quality of MP3's and my digital music. As we speak I am converting all of my music to pure lossless format, which is the exact same sound quality as a CD. Trust me, even at the highest setting on an mp3, you will be able to tell that it isn't a CD, especially on your axioms.



M22s|VP100|QS4s|HSU STF2
Re: HTPC Build In Progress
#128301 02/14/06 05:43 PM
Joined: Dec 2005
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Oh, and Tharkun. If you want a 160 GB HD for $40, here you go.

Link



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Re: HTPC Build In Progress
#128302 02/14/06 07:07 PM
Joined: Jan 2004
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shareholder in the making
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MCE is just the front end, there are lots of options, Xlobby(free and awesome), Meedio to name a few. I plan to use XP Pro for the O/S.

You can build/buy a decent HTPC for $1500 or less, depending on options/hardware.


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Re: HTPC Build In Progress
#128303 02/14/06 08:58 PM
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 436
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I'm currently building one too. I'm not sure whether I'm going to go with a Linux or Windows box.
I've spent the last weekend doing some tests on an old computer on which I loaded Linux (FC4) and used Xine (media player) to play some DVDs, pretty good quality right out of the box. I was able to set it up on my Z2 with almost no overscan! (a couple pixels on the left side) fairly quickly, I think I can get it perfect if I mess around with the timings some more.
I'm fairly pleased with the quality, the only problem I have so far is getting Xine to display DVDs fullscreen correctly, I still have some problems, but I'm getting there.
The great thing is that this test box is running an old Athlon K7 800MHZ and the video card is an old GeForce 256 and it works great! I was able to deinterlace pretty well without dropping any images, so I can't wait to try it on a newer system.
To me the PQ is better than any Windows software DVD player I've used in the past (though to be fair the last time I've tried one was in 2000, so I'm sure they're a lot better now, with ffshow and pure video).

The reason I'm still debating going with the penguin is because I might want to do some gaming and then it would be easier to run all with Windows, since if I go with Linux I would have to dual boot, which is fine by me (and cheaper! I don't feel like buying Theatertek/Zoomplayer, Meedio/MCE, etc...).

Anyway the Linux solution is a lot easier than I thought and there are enough HD cards that are supported for it to be tempting. I'm thinking about getting a HDPC3000 card, which is designed for Linux, and works great with QAM and ATSC (the only drawback is that it has no support for Windows if I decided to switch... We'll see...).

Anyway if I have time next weekend I'll take some pictures of my screen using Xine to play DVDs to show y'all.


Re: HTPC Build In Progress
#128304 02/14/06 10:31 PM
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,458
shareholder in the making
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Have you guys been reading this?


::::::: No disrespect to Axiom, but my favorite woofer is my yellow lab :::::::
Re: HTPC Build In Progress
#128305 02/14/06 10:34 PM
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Tharkun Offline OP
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Thank you Mark, I remember starting to read that, but then spaced out where it was as I didn't bookmark it

Re: HTPC Build In Progress
#128306 02/14/06 11:34 PM
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shareholder in the making
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shareholder in the making
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I think he would prefer SATA.


M80s VP180 4xM22ow 4xM3ic EP600 2xEP350
AnthemAVM60 Outlaw7700 EmoA500 Epson5040UB FluanceRT85


Re: HTPC Build In Progress
#128307 02/15/06 12:10 AM
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 18,044
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Any of you guys contemplating building an HTPC and thinking you can include HD DVD or BluRay when they come out should have a look at this and their other coverage of HDCP. Then scream.


I am the Doctor, and THIS... is my SPOON!
Re: HTPC Build In Progress
#128308 02/15/06 12:30 AM
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,467
connoisseur
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Why would SATA be better?

SATA is no faster than IDE. The only real advantage is that they are much easier to install and have hotswap capability. SATA II drives are faster, but, those drives have yet to surface although there are SATA II ports supported on motheroards.

Anyways...have fun on your HTPC build!

Last edited by danmagicman7; 02/15/06 12:46 AM.


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