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True Media Center
#346273 04/27/11 01:52 AM
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I have a question for the propeller heads out there. I would like a true media center attached to my home theater. Meaning i want a networked computer dedicated to my HT. I need HD out and dolby digital out. I have a spare case with motherboard, processor and power supply but am wondering what types of video cards and or sound cards you have used in your own set up. This will be stored inside the entertainment center out of sight and i will be accessing using a input on my receiver and wireless mouse and keyboard. The idea is to have Itunes, full browser capabilities on my 58". Since i feel i can have this up and going with minimal costs (under 500) i am not interested in sharing my main PC and streaming the info over. Any help or guidance is appreciated.


ps. anyone have recommendations on a Flac player.


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Re: True Media Center
Nashvegas Rocks #346289 04/27/11 03:04 AM
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Your Denon will play FLAC files just need a DLNA server or WMP has a plug in to allow it to use FLAC files. I know the newer video cards from ATI are very good with HD(video and audio over HDMI) out, never used any of them just seen a few in use.


Jason
M80 v2
VP160 v3
QS8 v2
PB13 Ultra
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Samsung 85" Q70
Re: True Media Center
jakewash #346295 04/27/11 03:39 AM
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All current HDMI video cards will do a fine job. Just make sure it says multi-channel audio, and you'll be set. No need for a sound card at all.


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Re: True Media Center
ClubNeon #346315 04/27/11 11:58 AM
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Chris,

thats great news on the sound card, I was wondering why i hadnt seen too many lately.

Jason,
Do you know where I can get the WMP plug in? I searched and wasnt able to locate a download site. I am starting to accumulate FLAC files and migrating away from MP3's as storage is so cheap now days.


M22's
VP100
QS4's
SVS PB12-NSD
Denon 2310CI
Panasonic P58S2
Panasonic P50S2
Re: True Media Center
Nashvegas Rocks #346345 04/27/11 03:53 PM
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Just to be a tiny bit more clear. You don't see many soundcards, because the analog outputs are built into most motherboards these days. If someone is hooking speakers straight to the computer they still need those analog outs. But since you'll be going into a receiver via HDMI, the audio will be carried along with the picture on that one cable.


Pioneer PDP-5020FD, Marantz SR6011
Axiom M5HP, VP160HP, QS8
Sony PS4, surround backs
-Chris
Re: True Media Center
ClubNeon #346369 04/27/11 05:36 PM
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My problem on this topic has been that digital audio inputs are not typically available to secondary zones on your receiver. YMMV.


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Re: True Media Center
tomtuttle #346370 04/27/11 05:41 PM
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Man, I really want that to be an option on my next receiver. It would make cabling that much easier.


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Re: True Media Center
Ken.C #346375 04/27/11 06:03 PM
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Seriously. God help me, I'm actually considering an external DAC to solve the problem.


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Re: True Media Center
tomtuttle #346392 04/27/11 08:33 PM
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You want the AMD 6450 video card. It's the ultimate HTPC video card right now. $50 bucks or so.

Make sure your old PC has a PCI-e slot for the graphics card. If it uses the older AGP slot, then you will need a newer computer.

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4263/amds-radeon-hd-6450-uvd3-meets-htpc

You will also want to ask detailed HTPC questions on HT sites such as MissingRemote.

http://www.missingremote.com/

Last edited by autoboy; 04/27/11 08:35 PM.
Re: True Media Center
autoboy #346686 04/30/11 05:03 AM
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Try this site for Flac wmp info


Jason
M80 v2
VP160 v3
QS8 v2
PB13 Ultra
Denon 3808
Samsung 85" Q70
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