| Author |
Message |
dmarnold
Joined: 18 Jan 2010
Posts: 73
Location: St. Louis, MO
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 8:12 pm Post subject: beginner's guide to htpc control |
|
|
okay, what is HTPC? how does it connect to my projector? what hardware/software do i need?
i know, newbie type questions, but i want to get the best i can from what i have. is there a thread in this bastion of knowledge that explains this?
any help would be appreciated........ 
_________________
enjoy today, for change is on the way
|
|
| Back to top |
|
 |
stefuel
Joined: 07 Mar 2006
Posts: 3353
Location: Green Harbor MA USA
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 8:26 pm Post subject: Re: beginner's guide to htpc control |
|
|
| dmarnold wrote: | okay, what is HTPC? how does it connect to my projector? what hardware/software do i need?
i know, newbie type questions, but i want to get the best i can from what i have. is there a thread in this bastion of knowledge that explains this?
any help would be appreciated........ |
The best use of a HTPC is to put it under the back tire of a dump truck to keep it from rolling down hill 
_________________
Chip
A Barco is only a AmPro with training wheels
Card carrying member of the AVS chain gang.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
ecrabb
Forum Moderator
Joined: 13 Mar 2006
Posts: 15909
Location: Utah
TV/Projector: JVC RS40, Epson 5010
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 8:31 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Nice chip - I like HTPC, but don't typically find it worth the trouble. It's a love/hate thing.
Asking if there is a beginner's guide to HTPC is a little like asking if there is a beginner's guide to rocket science, or perhaps black magic, or maybe a little of both. 
This guide over at AVS looks pretty awesome:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=940972
SC
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
MikeEby
Joined: 24 Jun 2007
Posts: 5237
Location: Osceola, Indiana
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 8:39 pm Post subject: Re: beginner's guide to htpc control |
|
|
| stefuel wrote: | | dmarnold wrote: | okay, what is HTPC? how does it connect to my projector? what hardware/software do i need?
i know, newbie type questions, but i want to get the best i can from what i have. is there a thread in this bastion of knowledge that explains this?
any help would be appreciated........ |
The best use of a HTPC is to put it under the back tire of a dump truck to keep it from rolling down hill |
Coming from someone that probably hasn't seen a modern HTPC in action...Chip's comments might be a little bit of a bias opinion...
To the OP...HTPC stands for Home Theater Personal Computer....It's a PC can take the place of several pieces of equipment in your theater. It can play Blu-Ray's, DVD, ripped and off the disks. Play over the air HDTV and act like a DVR. With a cable card it can replace a cable set top box and with a Power Amps it can even replace an AVR in your theater.
Let's start by finding out what Brand and Model your projector is that might make a difference on if an HTPC is right for you?
Mike
_________________
Doing HD since the last century!
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dmarnold
Joined: 18 Jan 2010
Posts: 73
Location: St. Louis, MO
|
| Posted: Sat Jan 30, 2010 11:24 pm Post subject: thanks Mike |
|
|
right now the best pj i got running is my ECP 3100. computer is Dell 4400 pentium 4 1.70 GHz 768Mb RAM with GeForce2 MX/MX 400 graphics card. has cd rom and compaq DVD ROM DVD-115 dvd player.
Any thoughts?
besides the obvious "get a real computer", "eh what's that dinosaur you're usin'"......
_________________
enjoy today, for change is on the way
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
akajester
Joined: 09 Jul 2008
Posts: 934
Location: Wisconsin
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 1:41 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
That's too outdated to do HD. Even if you found a graphics card for agp that could do dxva AND had drivers that worked... You'd have problems with alot of things not being compatible and thus problems from the slow cpu and you'd waste alot of time trying to get it to work. Now, if you're just thinking playing DVD quality and lower that would work fine. I use media portal on the htpc and was using a similar workstation to yours but a p4 2.8 with pci-express graphics slot. That worked fine for most things. Sorry to say it but my suggestion if you are serious about using a HTPC would be to buy a newer computer. A newer computer (even built yourself for under $300) will save you well over that much in time.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
dmarnold
Joined: 18 Jan 2010
Posts: 73
Location: St. Louis, MO
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 6:43 pm Post subject: thanks akajester |
|
|
kinda figured this stuff was too old for use as HTPC, thanks for clarifying. I still don't understand the concept though. Does the HTPC and software give more control over pj abilities or does it just replace the use of pj controls?
_________________
enjoy today, for change is on the way
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
stefuel
Joined: 07 Mar 2006
Posts: 3353
Location: Green Harbor MA USA
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 7:30 pm Post subject: Re: thanks akajester |
|
|
| dmarnold wrote: | | kinda figured this stuff was too old for use as HTPC, thanks for clarifying. I still don't understand the concept though. Does the HTPC and software give more control over pj abilities or does it just replace the use of pj controls? |
A HTPC does not do anything to replace the controls on a projector. You still have to make adjustments to the projector using the projectors controls. What a HTPC is, is a all or most in one solution for feeding your projector. It provides the source and processing to feed the projector. There can be a fairly substancial learning curve to getting it right and it's up to you to decide if you wish to tackle it. For me, I like plug-and-play. I have enough things in my life that suck up my spare time.
_________________
Chip
A Barco is only a AmPro with training wheels
Card carrying member of the AVS chain gang.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Sparky015
Joined: 12 May 2009
Posts: 1185
Location: Cleveland / Akron, OH
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 7:37 pm Post subject: |
|
|
think of it as a source. I'm still waiting for a solution that's more plug and play. Sounds like it's still not there. I would love to be able to rip my collection and have it available digitally. The link SC provided is very good if your looking to build your own machine. There are finished products out there (NIVEUS, etc.), but you will pay a pretty penny. I've been eying them on ebay, but it seems you can build one more cheaply.
_________________
~Paul
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
LOTREE
Joined: 19 Mar 2006
Posts: 401
Location: Paradise, Newfoundland
|
| Posted: Sun Jan 31, 2010 8:29 pm Post subject: |
|
|
Perhaps it's because my setup is simple but my HTPC has eliminated the need for an external equipment and added expenses. So far I'm more than pleased for the $400 I paid for all the parts.
Missing in photo: ram, dvd player. This was before I fixed the front upside down DVD bezel 
I don't have the fuss of a DVD/Blu-ray player potentially running through a scaler or HDFury not to mention more equipment for gamma control.
I pop in a DVD, play with ZoomPlayer using FFDShow filters (both free) and I'm in action with tons of tweaking. The built in ATI HD4200 graphics is perfect for the task along with the VIA VT1708S 7.1 audio output via Toslink(5.1) to the receiver for sound. Less cables (VGA-5BNC to projector + power & sound), 2 boxes, lower cost, customizable, what's not to like?
There was no learning curve or frustration with my setup, it just worked. Plugged in, turned on, installed OS, obtained software, converged projector to source. The only time consuming part is adjusting greyscale with both the projector settings, ATI graphics control and FFDShow picture settings. I LOVE it! It's Plug-and-Play with nearly unlimited control over everything after the fact.
_________________
Zenith Pro 1200x | Electrohome ECP 4500 | Yamaha HTR-5740 | HTPC & Speaker build to follow
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
Spanky Ham
Joined: 22 Mar 2006
Posts: 5643
Location: Comedy Central
|
| Posted: Mon Feb 01, 2010 2:47 am Post subject: |
|
|
|
Lotree gives a pretty good synopsis. I will add that you can do OTA HD as well with DVR functionality. For those that don't care about cable or satellite (and there seems to be more and more everyday), this can be a big plus.
|
|
| Back to top |
|
|
|
|
