Jeff,

It does sound like you're a fanboy. Nothing wrong with that. The biggest thing that would deter me from going this route is if the quality of the blu-ray rips is not as good as watching the actual blu-ray. Have you compared the two? Can you notice any difference in video or audio? On my test machine which is not hooked up to my HT I've been playing around with WMC7. I used a lot of third party tools descrived here: http://www.windows7htpc.com/

It all works really well, but this is on a pc hooked up to a 24: LCD and a pair of klipsh speakers. My current pc does not have HDMI out so I can't see what it would all sound like on my HT.

Well I could be wrong but "bits is Bits" for audio bitstreaming to my Onkyo for HD Audio. to me "incredible". I got a Samsung B4600? Bluray player, after a week or two, took it back I can't see a difference in Video quality from my HTPC, once again, "bits is bits". My display is 1080P 120hz Samsung. And I think since I moved to 64 bit/8gb ram/SSD Drive, the HTPC loads quicker than the BD Player when loading a movie

I think the answer is .. get enough power and quality in your parts and don't try to save $20 bucks on a processor or less memory, etc.

But I haven't seriously compared a lot, but I'm VERY HAPPY, and think you would be also.

My friends with components, truely are blown away by my system.. On all fronts... Audio, Video, interface and convenience. But you have to take into consideration the Axioms and display quality compared to some of theirs theirs, etc.

I've got a lot of speaker output in a small space and a 52" screen seating 6.5' away

[quote=wordgasmWell I could be wrong but "bits is Bits" for audio bitstreaming [/quote]

That's what I was thinking I just wanted to make sure. Thank you Jeff.

In reply to Wordgasm:

HTPC is a viable solution if you invest in a GREAT video card, processor, blu ray drive, high def TV tuner, MOBO configuration that allows for high def content to be streamed. Then, if you can afford the multiple terabytes it takes to rip your movie catalogue, you can be set.

But all of that would (I bet) come at greater cost than a stand alone blu ray deck. There'd be savings over time on a cable subscription, but you'd better REALLY love the 13 high def channels you can pull off the air... And be ready to watch HULU, etc. for most other content.

These days bit for bit HD from a HTPC (MB/CPU) is cheap and easy, no video card required.

Now tons of TBs of HD space for ripping bluray, and the cases for them and rack/cables/rf remotes so your viewing area isn't a light show and at 90 degrees in december, sure that costs a bit. So do my $3,500 plus of Axioms... it's a hobby ....

The Ceton Cable TV tuner (4 tuners, 1 card) $400 for all Cable content you subscribe to. Yes pricy, but I lose $30 a month in HD DVR rentals for main tv and other TVs using extenders and all my Music/Video is from one interface/source ...

Is all of this for everyone?, I don't think so, Most? I don't think so, those interested? ..... YEP!

Is it satisfying?.. for me yes ... is it worth it? It's a hobby!

Jeff

Welp, I just wanted to say that I finally got that Radeon 5770 and after fighting with it for about an hour, I'm very happy to announce that it's working. The sound over HDMI is amazing and the picture is sooo crisp and the colors are just wonderful.

I want to stab someone in the face at Yamaha right now...

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?p=14164779#post14164779

This is why my new 5770 won't play nice with my tv.

Anyone have suggestions for an affordable replacement? I'd love to find a good deal on a Denon 890 but that might be tricky at this point in the game.

What about a refurb of the 890 or Onkyo?

http://www.ecost.com/category.aspx?categoryid=155438257&p=1&manufacturer=Denon

http://www.shoponkyo.com/products_refurb.cfm?specials=1&group_id=1

I won't touch an Onkyo. I did some looking around and I think I would want either a 1911ci or 2311ci. I decided a while back that I wanted my next unit to have a HD Radio tuner.


HOWEVER! I found a workaround. I used Moninfo to capture the correct EDID data and created an inf file to force the compatibility when using my 663. So far it is working amazingly well. I've also started using MPC-HC.

Next up on the list is to get DTS/DD/DTS-HD... to bitstream.

Moninfo is good stuff. I had a ViewSonic TV that advertised its native resolution over the VGA port, but over HDMI its default res was 1280x720, while 1280x720 was also in the VESA mode list.

So I captured the EDID from the VGA and HDMI, then I modified the HDMI discrete timing info for the default mode to match that of the VGA, leaving the 1280x720 only in the mode list. Since ViewSonic often leaves the EDID writable, I was able to re-flash the modified info into the TV. Hooked up my HTPC and got dot-by-dot over the DVI to HDMI cable.