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Recommendations for a new HTPC
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jpariseau




Joined: 17 Mar 2006
Posts: 3
Location: West Warwick, RI USA


PostLink    Posted: Fri Mar 17, 2006 10:11 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote


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Quote:
bomrat wrote:
htpc recommendations....

nvidia 7800

i used a motherboard that had digital coax built in for sound and let my preamp do all the processing, i didn't have to worry about an expensive soundcard.

it all depends on how deep your pockets are though.

i just built a $7,500.00 dual dualcore opteron system. cough cough. its fast


Dam I remember the old days spending $20 000.00 on the companys dime. That was the fastest system I had ever seen for the Y2K upgrade. Dual everything and SCSI. Now it's worth $200 bucks hehe

$7500's a little more than I would like to spend right now. I think if I had that much I would get a G70 and a real scaller or an 9500LC and lunch. Then all the money would be gone.

The digital output does it do Dolby Digital Live or DTS Connect for games or does it just pass the digital stream from the DVD's and Tuners out to your preamp?
That's my reason for the fancy sound card.

What, if any, tunner card(s) are you using?

Are there any drawbacks about the 7800 card? Things it can't do that it sholuld or things it doesn't do to well? How's the 2D output on it?





My htpc consists of:
dual-core Pentium D 830
2 gigs of ddr667
MSI 7800GT
DVico Fusion HDTV5 Gold Plus Digital Tuner
ATI HDTV Wonder(getting moved to a second machine)
Adaptec VideoOH usb analog tuner(I don't care for the analog tuners on
either the ATI or DVico cards)
Asus P5LD2 Deluxe mobo w/ dual pci express x16
Onboard 7.1 channel audio w/ S/PDIF output
Both SATA and PATA raid
2 SATA 250gig HD's
2 PATA 200gig HD's
Logitech G15 Gamers Keyboard
RaidMax RX-530A Volcano 530 watt power supply
nVidia PureVideo software


I use it to drive both my Barco Graphics 500 and Sony KDSR60XBR1 SXRD rear proj tv. The 7800 GT produces a beautiful picture when gaming and when watching dvd's with nVidia's PureVideo Software. HDTV viewing is also flawless. The weak link is my Barco Graphics 500. Time to upgrade it, but I'll have to wait awhile longer.

A nice feature of the DVico HDTV card is that it will directly control my JVC HM-DH5U digital vcr. It will record both to the hard drive and to the d-vhs deck at the same time. I use it mostly for recording sports whereas I usually record tv to the hard drive and then to dual layer dvd's. Blue-ray and/or hd-dvd can't get here soon enough.

The HTPC cost me in the neighborhood of $1500 to $2000.
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AnalogRocks
Forum Moderator



Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26690
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G


PostLink    Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 4:16 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:


My htpc consists of:
dual-core Pentium D 830
2 gigs of ddr667
MSI 7800GT
DVico Fusion HDTV5 Gold Plus Digital Tuner
ATI HDTV Wonder(getting moved to a second machine)
Adaptec VideoOH usb analog tuner(I don't care for the analog tuners on
either the ATI or DVico cards)
Asus P5LD2 Deluxe mobo w/ dual pci express x16
Onboard 7.1 channel audio w/ S/PDIF output
Both SATA and PATA raid
2 SATA 250gig HD's
2 PATA 200gig HD's
Logitech G15 Gamers Keyboard
RaidMax RX-530A Volcano 530 watt power supply
nVidia PureVideo software


I use it to drive both my Barco Graphics 500 and Sony KDSR60XBR1 SXRD rear proj tv. The 7800 GT produces a beautiful picture when gaming and when watching dvd's with nVidia's PureVideo Software. HDTV viewing is also flawless. The weak link is my Barco Graphics 500. Time to upgrade it, but I'll have to wait awhile longer.

A nice feature of the DVico HDTV card is that it will directly control my JVC HM-DH5U digital vcr. It will record both to the hard drive and to the d-vhs deck at the same time. I use it mostly for recording sports whereas I usually record tv to the hard drive and then to dual layer dvd's. Blue-ray and/or hd-dvd can't get here soon enough.

The HTPC cost me in the neighborhood of $1500 to $2000.


Which HDTV card has better picture quality? Does theDVico have hardware decoding?

What version of the Nvidia 7800 are you running?
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jpariseau




Joined: 17 Mar 2006
Posts: 3
Location: West Warwick, RI USA


PostLink    Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 5:06 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Quote:

Which HDTV card has better picture quality? Does theDVico have hardware decoding?

I'm not quite sure which card has the better picture, but the DVico uses LG's 5th generation HDTV tuner and is definitely more sensitive than the HDTVWonder. I get stations on the dvico that the ati card had trouble with. The DVico uses software decoding, but it is pretty robust and will take advantage of DxGA video cards.
The ATI software sucks. Every few minutes the screen goes totally gray and then the video comes back. Depending on the software version used, this will happen from every 5 minutes to every minute. It drove me nuts. So I got rid of it and just use 3rd party.

The analog tuners on both cards suck.

Quote:

What version of the Nvidia 7800 are you running?


I have MSI's NX7800 GT. Nice card. If you plan to spend in the neighborhood of $300, go with a newer 7900GT. I bought my 7800GT back in early december for around $300.
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Phil Smith




Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 7717



PostLink    Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 5:32 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

God_TM wrote:
What drivers would you recommend for it (the 6800GT that is)?

I'm no expert, but:

My 6600GT only works well with very old drivers from my manufacturer. Can't think of who that is off the top of my head, but it's not one of the better ones. But it's probably not a driver issue.

I think the main thing is to use player software that can take advantage of the v-card. Is use Theater Tek.

Here's nvidia's sytem recommendations:

* Intel Pentium 4 3.0 GHz or AMD Athlon 64 3000+ CPU or higher
* 256 MB RAM or higher
* DVD-ROM Drive (Required for DVD playback)
* Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or Windows XP Media Center Edition OS
* DirectX Version 9.0c or higher
* Windows Media Player 10, Windows Media Center Edition 2005 or DirectX VA compliant video player
* NVIDIA GeForce 6 or GeForce 7 Series GPU
* ForceWare 84.12 or higher graphics driver
* PureVideo compatible MPEG-2 or H.264 (MPEG-4 Part 10/AVC) Decoder
* CRT Monitor running at 60 or 70 Hz


As you can see, they recommend you have decent CPU power, although I'm not sure why. My 2.8 Northwood non-hyperthreading CPU runs at less than 10% of capacity. You do however need a LOT of CPU power if you want to take advantage of resizing , noise and sharpening filters that you can use with Theater Tek and Zoom Player. These can make a HUGE difference in picture quality, but eat up lots of CPU cycles.

My recommendations are:

All the CPU power you can afford
Decent motherboard (not up on MBs)
6600GT video card (maybe a plain 6600 is good enough)
256RAM
Quiet hard drive (Seagate Barracuda)
Any DVD drive that's quiet (NEC ND-3550A is popular and cheap)
Quiet power supply (higher wattage would be good)
Quiet fans
Cool looking case

An HTPC like that shouldn't cost much at all and should play DVDs as good as they can be played.
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AnalogRocks
Forum Moderator



Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26690
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G


PostLink    Posted: Sat Mar 18, 2006 11:50 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

[quote="jpariseau"]
Quote:

.
The ATI software sucks. Every few minutes the screen goes totally gray and then the video comes back. Depending on the software version used, this will happen from every 5 minutes to every minute. It drove me nuts. So I got rid of it and just use 3rd party.



What software are you running the ATI card with?
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AnalogRocks
Forum Moderator



Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26690
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G


PostLink    Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 12:32 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Anyone tried this card?
http://www.mitinc.co.kr/mitinc/e_site/prod/prod_mdp130_new.jsp

It's the MYHD 130

Looks like it does most of what I wanted. No FM but oh well.

The one thing that confuses me on that web page is "Supports time-shifting (digital channels only)" yet right before that they say "Supports scheduled recording"

Anyone have one of these? If so can you schedule recordings of regular analog cable?

-------------------------------------------------------------------
Your not analog...I'm analog

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AnalogRocks
Forum Moderator



Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26690
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G


PostLink    Posted: Sun Mar 19, 2006 12:40 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was at the Tiger Direct store last night and a (gasp) helpfull sales man directed me to the ASUS P5GL-MX board. It's Mini ATX has 1 PCI-E 16x slot and 3 regular PCI slots. It's a socket 775 board.

What processor should I run in this?

Looks like this, so far, is the only mother board to meet my requirements.

----------------------------------------------------
I love CRT's....sometimes twice on Sunday
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AnalogRocks
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Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26690
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G


PostLink    Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 3:54 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Ok I got sidetracked by summer vacation and buying another projector. I've ordered a slightly different case. The previous one wouldn't take a full size power supply.

Here's the link:
http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=1800612&CatId=1508

Then a little custom paint and I'll start the build.

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AnalogRocks
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Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26690
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G


PostLink    Posted: Mon Jul 31, 2006 11:03 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Cooll, just a quick update. I got a call today saying my new case is in. I'll pick it up and take it to the paint shop on Friday. I'm painting it to match one of my cars. Geekey I know but you can't hide who you are LOL
I'll post a car pic and a case pic when it's done.
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AnalogRocks
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Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26690
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G


PostLink    Posted: Sat Aug 05, 2006 3:27 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

Well I did manage to pick up the case but I was too busy to take it to the paint shop. I'll post a before picture somtime this weekend.
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AnalogRocks
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Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26690
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G


PostLink    Posted: Wed Aug 09, 2006 7:46 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Update: Ordered Real Magic X-card Aug 7/06

Ok a little long on the weekend here's the before pictures:
http://www.curtpalme.com/forum/album_personal.php?user_id=26&sort_method=pic_time&sort_order=ASC&start=12

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AnalogRocks
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Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26690
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G


PostLink    Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 12:10 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

AnalogRocks wrote:
I was at the Tiger Direct store last night and a (gasp) helpfull sales man directed me to the ASUS P5GL-MX board. It's Mini ATX has 1 PCI-E 16x slot and 3 regular PCI slots. It's a socket 775 board.

What processor should I run in this?

Looks like this, so far, is the only mother board to meet my requirements.

----------------------------------------------------
I love CRT's....sometimes twice on Sunday


Was back at TigerDirect store today found this board:
http://www.abit-usa.com/products/mb/techspec.php?categories=1&model=312

Sweet. Dual channel ram, dual core AMD64 support, SATA3 with raid and 1 PCI-E16x and PCI. perfect.

They also have the HDA Explosion 7.1 sound card in stock with Dolby Digital LIVE! and DTS connect. I'll grab one of those tomorow as well.

NEXT:

strip the case for painting. I may hold off and get an LCD display for the front pannel first. Hmmmm ( the gears are spinning )
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emdawgz1




Joined: 14 Mar 2006
Posts: 7949



PostLink    Posted: Thu Aug 10, 2006 8:42 pm    Post subject: Reply with quote

You asked about Theater Tek.

TT uses Nvidia decoders, so their cards work well w/ TT software.

http://www.nvidia.com/object/theatertek_success.html

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AnalogRocks
Forum Moderator



Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26690
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G


PostLink    Posted: Fri Aug 11, 2006 4:13 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

Update: Got the ABIT NF95 board and the HDA X-plosion sound card.

THis sound card is excellent you can swap the op amps for better sound.

Real Magic X-card's arived today as well.
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AnalogRocks
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Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26690
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G


PostLink    Posted: Sun Aug 13, 2006 3:12 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

UPDATE:

I have e-mailed PC Power and Cooling. The manufactures of the world most stable PC power suplies. For and extra fee of $45 US the will make CUSTOM length power wires for the inside of your PC. I'm thinking of getting the Silencer 610 power supply and have them make up the shorter cables to fit my MiniATX case.

Total cost $208 US plus shipping. That should do it.

http://www.pcpowercooling.com/products/viewproduct.php?show=S61EPS
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AnalogRocks
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Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26690
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G


PostLink    Posted: Tue Aug 15, 2006 1:01 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

UPDATE:

Just ordered a two tuner NTSC hardware card from Beyond TV. Nice bundle Beyond TV 4.3, Hauppauge Win-TV-PVR-500MCE, and the Firefly remote with USB reciever for $215 with shipping. I'll get dinged about $25.00 for duty. But that's still a great deal. Watch one channel while recording another. With no subscription fees.

Here's the link: http://store.snapstream.com/bundles-sidebar.html
Beyond TV and Dual-Tuner Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-500 MCE Kit (PCI) is the one I just got.

Now I have to figure out who makes the best USB 2.0 ATSC/QUAM tunner. I've run out of slots. I wish Mini ATX had 4 PCI slots. That would be so handy.

I'll still order the MYHD 130 card.

I'll decide on the final setup after I get all the pieces. I can always add another tuner card to my OLD PVR1 box.
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AnalogRocks
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Posts: 26690
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G


PostLink    Posted: Thu Aug 17, 2006 5:39 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I was going to add an LCD from an EPSON R300 to the front panel but no one see's to know anything about programming them. Plus there are no markings so instead of trying to reinvent the wheel....I've asked for recomendations on the LCD forum. I'm thinking of relocating the power and reset switches to the upper right and adding a 2 line slim LCD under the Floppy drive.
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AnalogRocks
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Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G


PostLink    Posted: Tue Aug 22, 2006 2:59 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

AnalogRocks wrote:
I was going to add an LCD from an EPSON R300 to the front panel but no one see's to know anything about programming them. Plus there are no markings so instead of trying to reinvent the wheel....I've asked for recomendations on the LCD forum. I'm thinking of relocating the power and reset switches to the upper right and adding a 2 line slim LCD under the Floppy drive.


Well I've run into some slight difficulty. My area under the floppy drive measures (h x w ) 158.7mm x 31.75mm most of the LCD modules I find are of the 41mm high variety. I'm not giving up just yet. The other possibility is to make the LCD external, put it in its own box and plug it into the parallel port. Not quite as elegant. I guess time will determine the LCD feature of this case. If I have all the parts to build it EXCEPT the LCD I'll skip the LCD.

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AnalogRocks
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Joined: 08 Mar 2006
Posts: 26690
Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G


PostLink    Posted: Fri Aug 25, 2006 4:25 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

AnalogRocks wrote:
UPDATE:

Just ordered a two tuner NTSC hardware card from Beyond TV. Nice bundle Beyond TV 4.3, Hauppauge Win-TV-PVR-500MCE, and the Firefly remote with USB reciever for $215 with shipping. I'll get dinged about $25.00 for duty. But that's still a great deal. Watch one channel while recording another. With no subscription fees.

Here's the link: http://store.snapstream.com/bundles-sidebar.html
Beyond TV and Dual-Tuner Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-500 MCE Kit (PCI) is the one I just got.

Now I have to figure out who makes the best USB 2.0 ATSC/QUAM tunner. I've run out of slots. I wish Mini ATX had 4 PCI slots. That would be so handy.

I'll still order the MYHD 130 card.

I'll decide on the final setup after I get all the pieces. I can always add another tuner card to my OLD PVR1 box.


UPDATE: Aug 24, 2006 recieved the PVR-500 card, firefly remote and the Beyond TV 4.3 disk.

Next step deciding which HDTV card. MYHD-130, Fusion TV 5 or USB Fusion HD.

Gotta order the power supply this weekend. Then comes the DVD drives, HDD's, processor and the memory.

As for the LCD they have a nice USB external I'll post a link a little later.
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AnalogRocks
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Location: Toronto, Ontario, Canada

TV/Projector: Sony 1252Q, AMPRO 4000G


PostLink    Posted: Wed Aug 30, 2006 3:15 am    Post subject: Reply with quote

I haven't thought too much about the video card. The motherboard has a Gforce 6100 on it that shares system ram. This would probably be fast enuff for what I'm doing. Of courde I wouldn't mind a 6800 card soft moded to a Quadro 4000. From what I have seen that card has great possibilities.

There's time....

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