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Author Topic: A hd htpc build  (Read 4182 times)
scumbag
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« on: July 19, 2009, 09:29:46 PM »
Hi I'm new to this forum. I want to build a htpc that will handle all video files, play dvd/blu-ray, and occasionally watch/record hdtv. No gaming will be done except maybe Solitaire lol. So far, this is the list of parts I have come up with:

ASUS M3N78-EM AM2+/AM2 NVIDIA GeForce 8300 HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131354

AMD Phenom II X2 550 Black Edition Callisto 3.1GHz
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103680

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820231122

Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136317

LITE-ON Black 6X BD-ROM
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106270

Antec New Solution NSK2480 Black/Silver MicroATX Case 380W Power Supply
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129034

Now I don't have a good idea how tv tuner cards work but I want to record any channel I have with my cable provider. ESPN, TNT, ABC, FOX, etc, in HD of course. I will be installing Windows 7 into it. I might want to also convert video files into DVD format so I can burn them onto disc.

All recommendations are welcome, thanks.
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Craig
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« Reply #1 on: July 20, 2009, 11:00:48 AM »
I'd beef up the video chipset to a 780G, 790GX, or Nvidia 9300/9400, and then save some cash on the processor by going with one of the 45w AMD dual cores. But that's just me.

The only tuner that will let you record HD from your STB is the HD PVR.
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Main: GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-DS4H AM2+/AM2|AMD Athlon X2  4850e 2.5GHz cooled by a fanless Scythe Ninja Mini|A-DATA (2 x1GB) DDR2 800|ATI HD 3300 Onboard via HDMI|Lite-on DVD/RW|3 x HVR-2250|USB-UIRT with Harmony 670 remote|1x250GB WD Blue|1x 1TB WD Black|5x1TB WD Green HDD\\\'s|SeaSonic M12II SS-430GM 430W|Silverstone LC10E-B case|Vista Business|SageTV 6.6.2 w/SageMC STV|50\\\" Sony SXRD LCOS (1080i)|PS3
Bedroom: SageTV HD100 media extender via HDMI to 37\\\" LG LC7D (720p) with a Harmony 659 remote
scumbag
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« Reply #2 on: July 20, 2009, 05:33:22 PM »
Quote from: Craig on July 20, 2009, 11:00:48 AM
I'd beef up the video chipset to a 780G, 790GX, or Nvidia 9300/9400, and then save some cash on the processor by going with one of the 45w AMD dual cores. But that's just me.

The only tuner that will let you record HD from your STB is the HD PVR.

So if I get a motherboard with a better integrated video chipset, I can use a cpu with less power? That sounds good to me. Save money and electricity.

Ok I've heard about that HD PVR from Hauppauge. Here's my question. Is that what people who share HD tv shows use to record them? I've downloaded video files that are in mkv format and they are crystal clear.
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Craig
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« Reply #3 on: July 20, 2009, 07:52:01 PM »
Quote
So if I get a motherboard with a better integrated video chipset, I can use a cpu with less power? That sounds good to me. Save money and electricity.

Yep

Quote
Ok I've heard about that HD PVR from Hauppauge. Here's my question. Is that what people who share HD tv shows use to record them? I've downloaded video files that are in mkv format and they are crystal clear.

Not really. I just records the analog HD signal in MPEG2 from your STB Component video output. People may record using one of them, then compress their recording and package it in an MKV container, but this device is really meant to utilize the analog hole for recording DRM bound shows. The picture quality should be the same as watching directly from the STB.
« Last Edit: July 20, 2009, 07:53:46 PM by Craig » Logged
Main: GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-DS4H AM2+/AM2|AMD Athlon X2  4850e 2.5GHz cooled by a fanless Scythe Ninja Mini|A-DATA (2 x1GB) DDR2 800|ATI HD 3300 Onboard via HDMI|Lite-on DVD/RW|3 x HVR-2250|USB-UIRT with Harmony 670 remote|1x250GB WD Blue|1x 1TB WD Black|5x1TB WD Green HDD\\\'s|SeaSonic M12II SS-430GM 430W|Silverstone LC10E-B case|Vista Business|SageTV 6.6.2 w/SageMC STV|50\\\" Sony SXRD LCOS (1080i)|PS3
Bedroom: SageTV HD100 media extender via HDMI to 37\\\" LG LC7D (720p) with a Harmony 659 remote
Miller
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« Reply #4 on: July 20, 2009, 10:06:19 PM »
How do you get your HD signal?
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Living Room: Served by MediaMVP | 42" LG Plasma | Pioneer VSX-D608 |
scumbag
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« Reply #5 on: July 21, 2009, 06:32:08 AM »
Quote from: Miller on July 20, 2009, 10:06:19 PM
How do you get your HD signal?

I have a STB from Verizon Fios connecting it to the TV with a hdmi cable.

Another question. How will I go about connecting the htpc to my 5.1 sound system? I like to use it when watching movies.

I'm very close to ordering all the parts. Just need to decide firmly on what case I want.
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Miller
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« Reply #6 on: July 21, 2009, 08:27:32 AM »
Does it have component outputs on the STB?
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Living Room: Served by MediaMVP | 42" LG Plasma | Pioneer VSX-D608 |
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« Reply #7 on: July 21, 2009, 05:07:11 PM »
Yes, it has component, composite, hdmi, s-video.
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Miller
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« Reply #8 on: July 22, 2009, 12:05:44 PM »
If you want to be able to record in HD then your only choice is using the component outputs and slaving the box to a HDPVR from Hauppauge.
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Living Room: Served by MediaMVP | 42" LG Plasma | Pioneer VSX-D608 |
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« Reply #9 on: July 22, 2009, 05:29:17 PM »
Oh I see, because HDMI has that feature that prevents from being recorded. I guess I can get the HD PVR later on. I am still undecided on the case. The one I chose on my first post seems very big but maybe that's best for cool operation.

Funny thing, I looked at the AMD 5050e 45W processor 2 days ago. Today, it's a deactivated item on newegg!
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Craig
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« Reply #10 on: July 22, 2009, 08:27:23 PM »
Strange that all the good 45w dual cores aren't being sold at newegg. Maybe AMD not making them much and concentrating on the Athlon II.  There are a number of 65w CPU's that would be great alternatives.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103687
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Main: GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-DS4H AM2+/AM2|AMD Athlon X2  4850e 2.5GHz cooled by a fanless Scythe Ninja Mini|A-DATA (2 x1GB) DDR2 800|ATI HD 3300 Onboard via HDMI|Lite-on DVD/RW|3 x HVR-2250|USB-UIRT with Harmony 670 remote|1x250GB WD Blue|1x 1TB WD Black|5x1TB WD Green HDD\\\'s|SeaSonic M12II SS-430GM 430W|Silverstone LC10E-B case|Vista Business|SageTV 6.6.2 w/SageMC STV|50\\\" Sony SXRD LCOS (1080i)|PS3
Bedroom: SageTV HD100 media extender via HDMI to 37\\\" LG LC7D (720p) with a Harmony 659 remote
Miller
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« Reply #11 on: July 23, 2009, 12:15:15 PM »
Quote from: scumbag on July 22, 2009, 05:29:17 PM
Oh I see, because HDMI has that feature that prevents from being recorded. I guess I can get the HD PVR later on. I am still undecided on the case. The one I chose on my first post seems very big but maybe that's best for cool operation.

Yea, it needs to be an analog connection (like component) to get around the DRM issues.

Silverstone has some nice looking big and small cases. I think they are worth the money.

www.silverstonetek.com
« Last Edit: July 23, 2009, 12:16:12 PM by Miller » Logged
Office: E8400 3.0GHz Dual-Core-45nm | 2GB DDR2-800 | 1 200GB HD - Program Files | 1 500GB HD - Recording | 1 500GB HD - Archiving | PVR 500MCE | ATI Theater 550 Pro - 2 | AMD HD 3650 | WinXP Pro | GBPVR |

Living Room: Served by MediaMVP | 42" LG Plasma | Pioneer VSX-D608 |
scumbag
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« Reply #12 on: July 31, 2009, 05:43:23 PM »
I'm currently building the PC. Will post some pictures soon. Is the computer good enough to install Windows 7 64-bit on? I got the 780g + AMD 5050e mobo/cpu.
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Craig
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« Reply #13 on: July 31, 2009, 06:04:38 PM »
Quote from: scumbag on July 31, 2009, 05:43:23 PM
Is the computer good enough to install Windows 7 64-bit on? I got the 780g + AMD 5050e mobo/cpu.

Yep.
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Main: GIGABYTE GA-MA790GP-DS4H AM2+/AM2|AMD Athlon X2  4850e 2.5GHz cooled by a fanless Scythe Ninja Mini|A-DATA (2 x1GB) DDR2 800|ATI HD 3300 Onboard via HDMI|Lite-on DVD/RW|3 x HVR-2250|USB-UIRT with Harmony 670 remote|1x250GB WD Blue|1x 1TB WD Black|5x1TB WD Green HDD\\\'s|SeaSonic M12II SS-430GM 430W|Silverstone LC10E-B case|Vista Business|SageTV 6.6.2 w/SageMC STV|50\\\" Sony SXRD LCOS (1080i)|PS3
Bedroom: SageTV HD100 media extender via HDMI to 37\\\" LG LC7D (720p) with a Harmony 659 remote
scumbag
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« Reply #14 on: August 01, 2009, 10:41:49 AM »
I'm having a problem here. Before I installed the graphics driver from ATI, I had a full screen on my 40" TV at 1920x1080. After I installed the driver however, I get a thin black border around the screen even though the resolution is still 1920x1080. What gives?

Hmm...Looks like it could just be my TV...
« Last Edit: August 01, 2009, 03:29:03 PM by scumbag » Logged
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