My HTPC conversion - final opinions & first post

So first off, I guess I'd like to say thank you for all the information you have provided for me with my HTPC. I decided to register to get one final "approval" from you guys with my conversion build.

I am taking my primary desktop which I find myself barely using any more and "converting it" to a HTPC. I am trying to keep the conversion relatively low cost, since I think the machine is already pretty decent spec wise. So here is the list of current components, items about to get purchased, and future options. Please feel free to criticize or comment on what I'm doing right or wrong. I also could use a bit of help with a IR sensor.

Current Hardware:
TV: LG Scarlet 47" 1080p
CPU: Q6600 @ 3.6 (depending on cooler, this might get dropped to 3.2)
MOBO: MSI P35 Platnium motherboard
RAM: 2x2GB Corsair XMS2 DDR2 ram
GPU: eVGA 8800GTS
OS: XP Professional SP3 OEM



Items added to the cart:
Optical Drive: LG BD (and HD)Player / DVD Burner - I don't really care about BD burning or HDDVD playback, but since I'm going down to 1 optical drive, I'd like DVD burning capabilities.

Case: NMEDIAPC 2000B HTPC Case - I don't want to spend all that much for a case. I like the somewhat simplistic front of the case and it seems to be roomy enough to fit my video card and full ATX motherboard. The optional LCD they offer could be a possible add on to the purchase.

Remote: Logitech Harmony 880

Future options:
HauppaugeHD PVR First off I have to get the wife somewhat use to a HTPC environment first before making the full switch away from our cable system DVR & second I'm trying to keep initial cost down.

Software purchases:
AnyDVD HD - from brief research it seemed to be the best option to backup my new BD discs. I have a baby at home so disc backup is pretty important, and given the size of BD's, quality compression is king.

Front end:
I'm a little up in the air about it, but I am thinking about XBMC as my front end. I'd rather not buy a new OS for the built in front end of MSMC. Suggestions would be appreciated.

TV: Once I do get the HD PVR, I will likely purchase Sage. However for now, no tv tuner is going in. Baby steps for the wife


Sorry for the long post and the fact that it is "my first htpc thread number 1,002,394". Thank you for reading my post and I look forward to your responses.

Regards,
-Evo-

Somewhat fake edit: I had the entire post with hyperlinks to the items, but it got flagged because I need to wait for 3 posts (stupid spammers). So I apologize, the post did at one point have more content in it

I'm currently using it now on my current "HTPC" **cough AppleTV cough** and I like the out of the box playback of different formats and the customization options available to the PC. With proper configuration you can have any application launch right from within the front end.

I'm fairly certain that is what I will be going with unless someone could sway me otherwise.

Thanks for the input. What about IR receivers. I'd like to build one into my case and not have additional component on top of the box. I don't mind doing a little cutting for a clean install.

As for the case, it will be going into a cabinet, but will be visible due to it being behind a glass door. I don't really care for it being flashy, the LCD would just be going in essentially because the case has the slot cut out for it and I think it would look silly with out it.