HTPC build, suggestions/opinions?

Lowfat · Apr 11, 2008, 01:21 PM

Well I have decided that I want to try phase change on my gaming PC, thus making it much too loud to on 24/7. So I have decided to build an HTPC for audio input from my Mac and HDDVD/Bluray.

What I am looking at purchasing is:

Antec Fusion 430 HTPC case.

Intel Celeron E1200. 1.6GHz Dual Core. $58

ASRock Wolfdale1333-D667 945GC MATX. $50

Gigabyte HD2400XT 256mb. $48

2x1GB Crucial Rendition PC2-5300. $30.

Stuff I already have for it:

Auzentech Prelude X-Fi.

OCZ GameXStream 700W (fan modded, completely silent)

LG GCC-H20L HDDVD/Bluray

Is this processor going to be powerful enough for HDDVD/Bluray playback and recording/encoding video? I am pretty sure the HD2400XT can help with video acceleration, just don't know it it is going to be enough of a help.

Also any suggestions on a GOOD TV Tuner card? I need something that has very good analog/digital cable capture quality. As well would like to see one that has component inputs (not needed, just would like it if at all possible).

Any other suggestions/feedback, feel free to post.

Tipstaff · Apr 13, 2008, 08:30 AM

Not a bad setup, however I have to suggestions.

1) Change the CPU to something in the E2xxx series, say the E2180, preferably the E4xxx series. The reason is that if you try to play any high def video the E1xxx series just won't cut it. It'll choke even with the HD2400xt card doing all the work.

2) Speaking of the video card, take a look around for HD2400 or HD2600 cards that come with an HDMI connector built in, or at the very least come with a DVI-to-HDMI adapter. Comes in handy. I usually sell Diamond and Visiontek cards as they come with them built in. Visiontek cards (in particular) come with 1xVGA (which you can remove to make it low profile), 1xDVI, and 1XHDMI headers.

Edit: Forgot to mention the TV tuner. I'd look at the Vista View Saber series, either the DA-1N1-E which is a PCIE 1x card, or the DA-1N1-I which is a PCI card. Both are Vista certified.

Lowfat · Apr 13, 2008, 11:30 AM

Thanks for the suggestions, I do not want HDMI, at this moment there are no HDMI products for PC that currently use the HDMI HD-audio specifications. They are all still using SPDIF, therefore no True-HD or other High Def audio formats. So I'll still be using DVI + analog inputs.

EDIT: Have you actually seen those TV Tuners in action?

Tipstaff · Apr 14, 2008, 08:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lowfat

EDIT: Have you actually seen those TV Tuners in action?

Yep. My friend got me into using them, and I've been happy with them. Dual tuners, HDTV support, and hardware encoding. However, I primarily sell Hauppauge. They too are great tuners, but my reason for carrying them has more to do with the fact they are more widely carried by my suppliers, so they are easier to get, and easier to return/exchange.

BTW, if you want component in you might want to wait, and look at getting one from Hauppauge instead. They have a unit coming that has component input, the HD PVR I think it's called, and it's USB driven. It's going to be expensive, around $250, however it does H.264 encoding in real time. It should be out next month, or June.

procupine14 · Apr 28, 2008, 11:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tipstaff

BTW, if you want component in you might want to wait, and look at getting one from Hauppauge instead.

I have to say that Hauppauge makes a good product

I am really satisfied with the one that I bought

zaim · Jul 11, 2008, 01:11 AM

do NOT get that cpu for a htpc box... i just upgraded my htpc box from an E2160 to an E6600 strictly cos it couldn't play 1080p movies

ta

i got the e6600 only cos it was $100 2nd hand off a mate... otherwise i would have got like an E6550 which does 1333fsb but my mobo doesnt support tho.. an E4600 which is 800fsb and 2.4ghz plus 2mb cache.. is plenty