AVS › AVS Forum › Video Components › Home Theater Computers › Pics of my new HTPC build (Omaura TF11)
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Pics of my new HTPC build (Omaura TF11)

post #1 of 36
8/13/08 at 10:13pm
Thread Starter 
I just finished building my new HTPC and thought you all might like to see some pics in case you were ever thinking about using an Omaura TF11 case. This case is almost impossible to buy now. However, there are not many cases out there that allow you to drop in 6TB of storage and I was able to work around it's short comings. Parts of the build where really a pain since everything is a very tight fit and I am a little anal about cable routing.

Let me know if you have any questions, suggestions or opinions.

Part list:

Case: Omaura TF11 (IR kit)
MB: Asus PQ5 (Intel P45)
CPU: Intel E8400
Cooler: Scythe Ninja Mini (Enermax UC-8EB fan)
Ram: OCZ Reaper HPC Edition 4GB
Video: Asus ATI 3650 Silent replaced with Asus nVidia 9500GT
HD: WD 1TB GP (x6)
OD: Lite-On Blu-ray
PSU: SeaSonic M12II SS-430GM (430W)
Case Fans: Enermax UC-8EB (x2)
HD Fans: Zalman ZM-OP1 (x2)
Keyboard: Logitech DiNovo Mini
Display: Samsung 52" LCD (LN52A650)
AVR: Denon 4308ci
OS: Vista Ultimate 32bit
Future Upgrades: Asus ATI 4670; Asus Xonar HDAV1.3 and a 2.5" OS drive.

Pictures (picasa web album)

EDIT #1:

I have finished the build and got most of the software installed. Everything pretty much worked right away.

As for the Omaura case... everything worked out for the most part. Mounting the Blu-ray drive is a pain, anyone using this case I recommending removing the default screws and using the little black ones for mounting the drive. Also I had to put a good amount of force to get the PSU in place. If you look at one of the pics I uploaded you can see how badly made the back of the case is made. I cannot screw in my video card at all. Luckily with the MB laying flat that isn't a huge issue. Also, get rid of all 4 fans that come with the case. They are complete crap. Use your favorite 80mm fans in the back and then install two Zalman ZM-OP1 under the hard drives. Be sure to also install a Zalman fanmate to slow them down or they will be too loud. Also, I highly recommend ordering short SATA cables. I used a combination of 4" and 6" cables.

Overall I am really happy with this build. It is a lot quieter than I thought it would be, I can't hear it at all from my couch 9ft back. I need to monitor the temperatures over the next couple of days but first impressions don't seem too bad. I think the Omaura TF11 is still the best HTPC case out there but, it is such a shame there are some quality issues that pretty much forced them out of the American market.

EDIT #2:

I have replace the ATI 3650 with a nVidia 9500GT. This was mainly due to 24p performance with TMT. Uploaded newer pictures that show the nVidia 9500GT and with all of the SATA cables installed.
Reply
Reply

AVS Top Picks

post #2 of 36
8/14/08 at 6:42am
Very nice!
Reply
Reply
post #3 of 36
8/14/08 at 7:05am
If i m not wrong... but your video card will be running on DVI? And your audio is digital coaxial? Then you won't get the LPCM from your blu rays .... you will just get the regular dolby codec...
Reply
Reply
post #4 of 36
8/14/08 at 8:00am
Looks very good but very tight. There's not much room to spare between the Blu-ray drive and the mini ninja by the looks of it. I am very disappointed that the Omaura TF11 won't be available and sold by a reputable dealer who would replace defective units. I waited almost a year to buy this case and build an HTPC around a full size ATX board. The Omaura was the only case that had a shallow enough depth to fit in my AV cabinet (an expensive antique that I won't replace) and that met with my rather an*l sense of style.

I'm glad a few of you got the case in good enough condition to make it work. The build looks like it will be awesome...I wish I could afford to spend that kind of money, also. Maybe you could post some pics of the front and a completed price?

JN Porter
Reply
Reply
post #5 of 36
8/14/08 at 9:16am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by chironerd21 View Post

If i m not wrong... but your video card will be running on DVI? And your audio is digital coaxial? Then you won't get the LPCM from your blu rays .... you will just get the regular dolby codec...

The ATI 3650 card comes with a DVI to HDMI adapter that outputs both video and sound to my AVR. I *think* the 3650 can do Dolby Digital or DTS over HDMI, but it cannot do more then 2-channels of LPCM; you will need an ATI 4850 for multi LPCM. However, that really isn't a concern of mine since DD 5.1 will be fine for now and I will be picking up an Asus Xonar HDAV1.3 once it is released.
Reply
Reply
post #6 of 36
8/14/08 at 9:31am
It looks nice and organized very well. However I would never put storage in my HTPC anymore due to the noise and bigger space it needs. It provide more flexibility for you unless your choice are restricted.
Reply
Reply
post #7 of 36
8/14/08 at 9:58am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffreydeng View Post

It looks nice and organized very well. However I would never put storage in my HTPC anymore due to the noise and bigger space it needs. It provide more flexibility for you unless your choice are restricted.

The WD GP drives are actually pretty quiet. By far the loudest thing in the system is the two Zalman 80mmx15mm fans under the hard drives. I will be installing a fanmate tonight to slow them down some.

I am going to look into using a external Sata box in the future. That will allow me to remove some of the drives and use longer video cards. The problem is that being limited to 6ft I don't have many options on where to put the enclosure.
Reply
Reply
post #8 of 36
8/14/08 at 10:05am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by jnporter View Post

Looks very good but very tight. There's not much room to spare between the Blu-ray drive and the mini ninja by the looks of it. I am very disappointed that the Omaura TF11 won't be available and sold by a reputable dealer who would replace defective units. I waited almost a year to buy this case and build an HTPC around a full size ATX board. The Omaura was the only case that had a shallow enough depth to fit in my AV cabinet (an expensive antique that I won't replace) and that met with my rather an*l sense of style.

I'm glad a few of you got the case in good enough condition to make it work. The build looks like it will be awesome...I wish I could afford to spend that kind of money, also. Maybe you could post some pics of the front and a completed price?

JN Porter

I will be adding some more pictures to the album over the next couple of days. From some of the other reports it seems I got pretty lucky with my case. Everything is in working order. The only real issue I have ran into is that the rear bracket for the wired IR input is completely wrong but I can fabracate something for that if I needed to. The front eject button is also very poor and I can see it not working with all drives out there.

I'll see if I can come up with a build price for this system. I can tell you now that most of the cost is hard drives. At least the 1TB drives are in teh $150 range now.
Reply
Reply
post #9 of 36
8/20/08 at 10:54pm
Thread Starter 
Edited the first post and uploaded a couple more pictures.
Reply
Reply
post #10 of 36
8/20/08 at 11:31pm
I'm looking at the same Scythe for my much more modest htpc - there really is nothing 'mini' about it
Reply
Reply
post #11 of 36
8/21/08 at 1:53am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Defcon View Post

I'm looking at the same Scythe for my much more modest htpc - there really is nothing 'mini' about it

the scythe mini is mini compared to the full size version

side by side pic here:
http://www.silentpcreview.com/article754-page2.html

nice HTPC btw shame about the case being tricky, I am going to build my HTPC in antec's fusion case, hopefully that will be a little easier
Reply
Reply
post #12 of 36
8/27/08 at 8:50am
Nice build. Glad to see you got an IR kit. I realized that my IR and OLED order was cancelled at Dell, so I went searching. Found the same IR kit (I hope). Google OrigenAE IR221. I ordered one from the pcalchemy link to see if it'll work.
Reply
Reply
post #13 of 36
8/27/08 at 12:51pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by evalese View Post

Nice build. Glad to see you got an IR kit. I realized that my IR and OLED order was cancelled at Dell, so I went searching. Found the same IR kit (I hope). Google OrigenAE IR221. I ordered one from the pcalchemy link to see if it'll work.

It looks like the control board is the exact same same. The only thing that might be different is the IR receiver that mounts to the front of the case. Hopefully that is the same so it will mount correctly.
Reply
Reply
post #14 of 36
9/5/08 at 10:37am
I think I may have found an OLED that will work. Can anyone verify? Notice the Omaura writing on the back in the pdf. I tracked it down after reading that the drivers are the same.
http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_1273.html
http://www.hfx.dk/pdf/Manuals/OLED.pdf
Reply
Reply
post #15 of 36
9/5/08 at 11:21am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by evalese View Post

I think I may have found an OLED that will work. Can anyone verify? Notice the Omaura writing on the back in the pdf. I tracked it down after reading that the drivers are the same.
http://www.kustompcs.co.uk/acatalog/info_1273.html
http://www.hfx.dk/pdf/Manuals/OLED.pdf

Nice find... Here is a pic from Chris Morley's site that shows the OLED. They look like they are slighty different but still might work.

Reply
Reply
post #16 of 36
9/12/08 at 9:11pm
The OrigenAE IR kit works with a few minor issues. For some reason, the power on via remote cable that comes installed with the case doesn't work. I had to disconnect it to get the pc to boot. Not sure why that would be the case. Also, the IR receiver board that connects to the front has holes in the opposite corners. I had to cover the metal pins to avoid shorting the connection and get creative with some duct tape to position it correctly. At least it works. Still waiting for the oled.
Reply
Reply
post #17 of 36
9/12/08 at 9:30pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by jeffreydeng View Post

It looks nice and organized very well.

Thats because theres no sata cables hooked up in the pic...lol
Wait till you get 5 of those crammed in there too

Nice build by the way
Reply
Reply
post #18 of 36
9/12/08 at 10:30pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by ryan20021982 View Post

Thats because theres no sata cables hooked up in the pic...lol
Wait till you get 5 of those crammed in there too

Nice build by the way

Yeah I will update some of the pics this weekend. Actually the sata cables where not that big of a deal. I ordered cables all between 3-6 inches long so they really didn't take too much space up. It would have been a complete mess to try with the stick 18" cables that come with motherboards, etc.

I have also switched to a nVidia 9500GT card which is smaller than the ATI 3650 in the pictures.
Reply
Reply
post #19 of 36
9/12/08 at 10:33pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by evalese View Post

The OrigenAE IR kit works with a few minor issues. For some reason, the power on via remote cable that comes installed with the case doesn't work. I had to disconnect it to get the pc to boot. Not sure why that would be the case. Also, the IR receiver board that connects to the front has holes in the opposite corners. I had to cover the metal pins to avoid shorting the connection and get creative with some duct tape to position it correctly. At least it works. Still waiting for the oled.

I think I was pretty lucky and got a case without too many issues. I had issues with the IR power too but that was because the original diagram they had on their website for connecting it was wrong. Connected the case power button to the other connection and haven't had any issues since.
Reply
Reply
post #20 of 36
9/15/08 at 8:56pm
I've done some connection checking, but everything looks ok. Button to power pins on mb to power connection on the main IR board. I tried the IR out on the ir receiver board, too. Same result. Up for a few seconds, then off, then nothing from the power button until I unplug. Remote didn't work to start it either.

On a better note, I got the HFX OLED from kustompc today. Looks exactly like the omaura pics and went right on. Unfortunately, I just checked, and it's already sold out there. I guess I was lucky to find it. If anyone's looking, keep your eyes open for that version, too. If you have the oled, search over at missingremote. There's a charitable fellow who's been making great progress on the driver and app. I'll hopefully be joining up to help soon.
Reply
Reply
post #21 of 36
9/16/08 at 9:04am
very nice setup, what size is that 650? 52?
Reply
Reply
post #22 of 36
9/16/08 at 9:13am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by evalese View Post

I've done some connection checking, but everything looks ok. Button to power pins on mb to power connection on the main IR board. I tried the IR out on the ir receiver board, too. Same result. Up for a few seconds, then off, then nothing from the power button until I unplug. Remote didn't work to start it either.

On a better note, I got the HFX OLED from kustompc today. Looks exactly like the omaura pics and went right on. Unfortunately, I just checked, and it's already sold out there. I guess I was lucky to find it. If anyone's looking, keep your eyes open for that version, too. If you have the oled, search over at missingremote. There's a charitable fellow who's been making great progress on the driver and app. I'll hopefully be joining up to help soon.

Here is a pic of the IR diagram that is correct. Make sure the cable from the power button goes where the #1 is located. I haven't been able to get it to turn on yet with the remote but everything works with the remote.



Thanks for the info on the OLED.
Reply
Reply
post #23 of 36
9/16/08 at 9:15am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MoNkLorD View Post

very nice setup, what size is that 650? 52?

Yep, 52". Best TV I have ever owned. I have always been a big Sony guy and was hesitant to switch to Samsung. Glad I did for this model.
Reply
Reply
post #24 of 36
9/16/08 at 11:02am
By any chance do you know the distance from the front panel of the case to the Mini-scythe fan? I also have an Omaura TF11 and had a heck of a time finding a fan that would clear the optical drive. Alternately, can you post the model number of your Blu-ray drive? It's length would help me determine if I can use the same fan as you without interference from my Panasonic SW-5583 BD burner.

As to the remote, I used the IR221 from Omaura and the power on feature works fine. Unfortunately, it also suffers from a firmware bug (from Philips, who makes the chip AFAIK) that causes the remote to malfunction after the computer has been on for a few hours. So I need to get the updated version from OrigenAE since Omaura is history.

Hope I don't lose the power-on functionality as a consequence. I thought the OrigenAE and Omaura OVU4130 IR receiver boards were the same.
Reply
Reply
post #25 of 36
9/16/08 at 3:19pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by lifespeed View Post

By any chance do you know the distance from the front panel of the case to the Mini-scythe fan? I also have an Omaura TF11 and had a heck of a time finding a fan that would clear the optical drive. Alternately, can you post the model number of your Blu-ray drive? It's length would help me determine if I can use the same fan as you without interference from my Panasonic SW-5583 BD burner.

As to the remote, I used the IR221 from Omaura and the power on feature works fine. Unfortunately, it also suffers from a firmware bug (from Philips, who makes the chip AFAIK) that causes the remote to malfunction after the computer has been on for a few hours. So I need to get the updated version from OrigenAE since Omaura is history.

Hope I don't lose the power-on functionality as a consequence. I thought the OrigenAE and Omaura OVU4130 IR receiver boards were the same.

The drive is a Lite-On (DH-4O1S-11). The dimensions are 1.63" Height x 5.74" Width x 7.09" Depth, according to a search I did.

There is not much room between the back of the drive and the heat sink. I had to dig around to find a "slim" 90degree power cable for the drive. I just happen to have one in my box of parts. Not sure what component it originally came with.
Reply
Reply
post #26 of 36
9/16/08 at 3:44pm
Hmmm. My OD is 1.62" X 5.74" X 7.48", almost one-half inch longer. Is there another half inch of clearance in there? I can get a right-angle power plug, the SATA cable is already right angle.

I really want a good CPU cooler, and it looks like you found a better one than I did. Good job. What kind of CPU temps do you get, at what clock and FSB speeds? I don't suppose an E8400 dual-core is very comparable to my Q6600 barbecue grill.
Reply
Reply
post #27 of 36
9/16/08 at 5:35pm
Thread Starter 
I can measure it and take an up close picture of it tomorrow night for you. Can you PM me your email address to send the pic to.

I have a feeling you might have enough room, you just might need to connect the power cable before mounting the drive. I have enough room to take the power cable off and on right now without have to remove the drive.

Hope that makes sense.

I will check the CPU temps also. I am running everything at the standard speeds since I really don't have any needs to overclock.
Reply
Reply
post #28 of 36
9/17/08 at 7:13am
Quote:
Originally Posted by rkgriffin View Post

Yep, 52". Best TV I have ever owned. I have always been a big Sony guy and was hesitant to switch to Samsung. Glad I did for this model.

I too have been a big fan of sony, I am glad i with with the samsung as well. i go the 46a750(basically the same set as your with a few minor differences). Just out of curiosity, how do you have your HTPC hooked up to your TV and what setting mode?

I have mine going from dvi-hdmi cable to hdmi3 on the tv and optical cable from HTPC to reciever (something tells me there could be a better way to have this setup.) and for mode i have it tagged as Blue-ray (when tagged as pc it appears to lose some settings)
Reply
Reply
post #29 of 36
9/19/08 at 5:59pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by MoNkLorD View Post

I too have been a big fan of sony, I am glad i with with the samsung as well. i go the 46a750(basically the same set as your with a few minor differences). Just out of curiosity, how do you have your HTPC hooked up to your TV and what setting mode?

I have mine going from dvi-hdmi cable to hdmi3 on the tv and optical cable from HTPC to reciever (something tells me there could be a better way to have this setup.) and for mode i have it tagged as Blue-ray (when tagged as pc it appears to lose some settings)

My video card has an HDMI port which goes directly to my Denon 4308ci (hdmi 4) which just passes the signal to the Samsung (hdmi1). On the Samsung I switch modes (16:9 for TV) and (Just Scan for HTPC). I do not use "PC mode" at all; I think that is pretty much a "gaming" mode which reduces lag but removes picture adjustments. I have not fully calibrated the Samsung yet. Hope that answers your question.
Reply
Reply
post #30 of 36
9/19/08 at 6:00pm
Thread Starter 
Updated the first post with some changes I have made and added more pictures with all of the SATA cables installed.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Home Theater Computers

AVS Top Picks

AVS › AVS Forum › Video Components › Home Theater Computers › Pics of my new HTPC build (Omaura TF11)