First HTPC

[saukriver]

I am looking at a system and would like reactions.  (This is on eBay as eBay sale number 260448723966.)

AMD Athlon 64 X2 5050e Brisbane 2.6 GHz Dual-Core Processor Ultra Low 45W Power   Consumption
nVidia GeForce 8200 graphics
4 GB RAM - High Quality RAM with Heat Dispensers
1TB Hard Disk - SATA 7200RPM
BluRay/DVD drive
HDMI output (with audio), DVI, VGA, dual monitor supported
S/PDIF Optical Audio 7.1 Digital Output
all the connections in the back 7.1 analog surround sound, network, 6X USB, eSATA,
front 2X USB and audio mic in and headphones
Windows 7 RC1
Haupagge 2250 tuner

[Craig]

Personally, I don't think it's all that great of a buy. For close to the same price you could build your own and have better parts.

Roughly estimating:
1TB HDD. I just got one for $80
CPU. Could get the same one in the auction for about $60
HVR 2250 white box. $120
Cheap case. $50
780G mobo. $80
DVD drive. $25
4 GB ram. $50
High quality Power supply. $60
Windows 7. Free for now

[saukriver]

Hmm.

What are your thoughts on the 780G mobos?

What is the process to download and install Windows 7 RC1?

[Craig]

The 780G mobos are pretty much the best onboard chip you can get that plays HD up to 1080P.  I have the 790GX which has just a little more clock and sideport memory. I would get either one.

http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-7/download.aspx

[saukriver]

I am weighing building a box or just getting the SageTV Home Theatre and either (1) connecting via a draft N WAP connection to my main computer or (2) running Cat 5/6 to my main computer.  Thoughts?

[Craig]

That is an excellent route. I use the HD200's predecessor the HD100 with a Draft "N" network. It works wonderfully. I keep the cable modem and wireless router in my bedroom with the HD100 plugged directly into the router and then my HTPC has the wireless "N" network card in it.

[saukriver]

Interesting.  I would need to upgrade to an N-Router and an N-WAP.  estimate $190.  I probably need all that Network gear anyway.

The Sage HD200 is $200 + Sage license at $50.  Plus tuner card =$100  

Not sure whether I would get hulu.com on my TV then.

Compare about $500-$600 for an HDTV with an N-card in it.

I wonder if a USB adapter would work well enough:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833127242

Do you have those funky antennas sticking out of your HTPC?

I don't know.  The added price of $350 makes a new HTPC look like a close call.

[Craig]

A USB adapter should work fine. I'm guessing they don't get quite the range an internal card would though.

Yes, I have 3 antenna's sticking out of the back of my HTPC. Can't see them though. They can be spun around and angled in all directions.

You should easily be able to come in under a $150 for a descent router and network card, especially if you go the USB route.

When you say WAP are you reffering to the USB adapter, because WAP means something a little different to me.

There's a lot of talk on the Sagetv forum about getting hulu on the HD200. Likewise, the same goes for netflix. It seems you have to by a Playon account and then the HD200 can access that server in standalone mode and allow you to watch hulu and netflix. Something like that anyway. I think I recall a Playon license is roughly $25? I don't know for sure.

[saukriver]

No.  By WAP, I meant a Wireless Access Point.

I have vacillated back to a more expense HTPC build.  I want a DVR, ability to play music, an ability to browse/watch hulu, and maybe play a BluRay disc now/again.

Here is a build I am now considering:

Want a DVR, access hulu.com, ability to play BluRay, in that order.

Win7 RC1, but where/how does one download and install?

Case: Antec--$140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129053


PSU--
Antec earthwatts EA430 430W--$50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371006

or SeaSonic SS-400ET 400W ATX12V V2.2--$45
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151061

There is an 430W antec PSU at Fry's now for $40

    or something with less wattage?

Mobo. ASUS M3A78-CM AM2+ 95W
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131330

    Should I wait for the 785G release?  Is the 785G series ATX and not MATX?

CPU: AMD Athlon X2 7850 Black Edition Kuma 2.8GHz

    Is there something will less wattage I should consider?

TV Tuner.
SiliconDust HDHomeRun Network-based Dual Digital HDTV or

AVerMedia AVerTVHD Duet - PCTV Tuner (A188 - White Box) - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815100041

Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136317

RAM: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB)

Wirelss N Adapter
LINKSYS WMP110 PCI RangePlus Wireless PCI Adapter - Retail

    is this too high in height? Is a USB draft N adapter likely too slow?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124297

Blue Ray drive: LITE-ON Black 4X Blu-ray
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106325

Looking forward to your input.

[saukriver]

I am now considering.  Please react to a mobo and the TV tuner choice.

Windows 7 RC1

Case: Antec--$140
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129053

PSU--
Antec earthwatts EA430 430W--$50
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817371006

Mobo. UNKNOWN

    Should I wait for the 785G release?  Is the 785G series ATX and not MATX?

CPU: AMD Athlon II X2 245 Regor 2.9GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor Model --$65

TV Tuner.
SiliconDust HDHomeRun Network-based Dual Digital HDTV or

AVerMedia AVerTVHD Duet - PCTV Tuner (A188 - White Box) - OEM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815100041

Hard Drive
Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136317

RAM: CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB)

Wirelss N Adapter
LINKSYS WMP110 PCI RangePlus Wireless PCI Adapter - Retail

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833124297

Blue Ray drive: LITE-ON Black 4X Blu-ray
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106325

[Craig]

Looks good. It's hard to say whether or not to wait for the 785G. It depends on how long you want to wait. I don't know when it will be availible in the US, but it will almost surely come in the ATX and mATX variety. I believe the canadian newegg site had both. Since you are putting in a bluray player it would be nice to have the 8ch LCPM via HDMI that it supposedly has. However, if you don't have a surround sound to use it with then it may not matter that it can do 8 ch.

Are you planning on getting both those tuners or are you deciding between which to get? The HDHR has been a very good tuner for QAM and ATSC. The other one is new and I don't know how well it works.

[saukriver]

Trying to decide on the TV tuners and whether the HDHR is worth the added cost.  It would pull some heat away from the case.  

I am wondering whether I can get by with a smaller PSU.

I think I am going to go with the older 5050e AMD CPU that runs at 45W and a cheaper mobo.  I am considering just waiting to adopt BluRay.

Gigabyte MA78GM-US2H  - $65

AMD Athlon X2 5050e Dual Processor  (ebay)

4GB RAM-$47

Antec Earthwatts 380W- $50

D-Link DWA-542 32-bit PCI RangeBooster N Desktop Adapter - $55

Scythe SCMNJ-1000 80mm Sleeve "Ninja Mini" Cooler (ebay)

Antec Fusion HTPC Case (silver)- $140

Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB Hard Drive-$90

DVD drive-$19

AverMedia AVerTVHD Duet PCTV tuner (A188)--$80

[Craig]

That looks good too. The only advantage I see in the HDHR is that it can be put anywhere in the network. Personally, I'd try the Avertv card and if it gets the job done then you saved some money. Heat really isn't a disadvantage with a tuner card.

[saukriver]

Thanks so much, Craig.  Does this Scythe cooler replace the ninja mini, and will it likely fit the Antec fusion case?

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185098

[Craig]

Not quite sure what you mean by "Replace the Ninja Mini" but the dimensions of the heatsink you linked are 124 x 133 x 132 mm. What each number represents I don't know because they weren't listed. have to assume the 133mm is the height to be on the safe side.  the Antec case has a height of 5.5" or 139.7mm. Add 25mm to the 133 for the fan thickness and you get 158mm which is greater than 139.7.
If you don't use a fan then you would have 6.7 mm of room extra except that we need to include the height of the feet, mobo standoffs and cpu thickness. So I would not suggest you try that heatsink.

The Ninja Mini is just out of stock
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16835185046
It's 110x110x115mm which gives you an extra 18mm to play with at a minimum (if 133mm is the height of the other one). Plus the fan is side mounted unlike the other that is top mounted, so no need to worry about adding the width of the fan.
The ninja mini is designed to fit 3U chassis which is 5.25". The case you are considering is 5.5", so it will be close.