AVS › AVS Forum › Video Components › Home Theater Computers › Assassin's Simple/Beginner HTPC Buying Guide
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:

Assassin's Simple/Beginner HTPC Buying Guide - Page 350

post #10471 of 15479
2/9/12 at 8:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by TxBobS View Post

Speaking of cases, is anyone putting a filter or otherwise sealing the back slots where the two optional fans can go? It seems like a great place to suck in dirt seeing how the two big exhaust fans are right next to it.

I should have said the Silverstone GD04.

With those big holes back there, it doesn't seem like there would be good cross flow for the power supply.
Reply
Reply

Gear mentioned in this thread:

post #10472 of 15479
2/9/12 at 8:38pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Hey guys cburbs is working on a server section for this thread.

VERY cool. Great start thus far...

LINK

YES! Question(s) though.....

My HTPC has a SSD, 2 2TB hdds, and a 500GB hdd. All my data is on those 2 2TB drives (and I am running out of room! Prices come down please!) My two laptops libraries are set to save and read their "libraries" from the HTPC. Ideally, I would like to remove all the mechanical drives from the HTPC and put them in a WHS built from my old Dual Core desktop collecting dust in the closet.
However, my HTPC has three main functions: 40% watching live tv off the Ceton InfiniTV 4 pci card in the HTPC via WMC, 40% watching recorded shows in WMC, and 20% watching my saved/ripped movies through Media Browser.
If all the mechanical hdd's are in the WHS will there be any problem watching Live TV on the HTPC and will the recordedTV shows save okay to the WHS eventhough the cablecard is in the HTPC? Also, is there any lag when watching stuff on the HTPC that is saved on the WHS? I do have a gigabit network. Even still, I notice some lag when watching movies in MB on either of my two Xbox's acting as media extenders, but no lag at all when watching LiveTV or RecordedTV on the extenders.
Reply
Reply
post #10473 of 15479
2/10/12 at 3:50am
So I was looking at this guide for help with a build but I noticed a couple things. The Samsung HDD listed seems to be almost twice the price listed here at Newegg or Amazon and Rosewill cases seem to be out of stock. I like the Silverstone cases but I was hoping to save some money by using a cheaper case that also included a PSU. Rosewill PSU and Silverstone case for $135 vs Rosewill case + PSU for $50. Hmm

Anyone have any idea for substitutes for these? I have never built a computer before so this would not only be my first HTPC but also the first computer I have ever built so I am unsure about all the places to get parts.
Reply
Reply
post #10474 of 15479
2/10/12 at 5:30am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thulean View Post

So I was looking at this guide for help with a build but I noticed a couple things. The Samsung HDD listed seems to be almost twice the price listed here at Newegg or Amazon and Rosewill cases seem to be out of stock. I like the Silverstone cases but I was hoping to save some money by using a cheaper case that also included a PSU. Rosewill PSU and Silverstone case for $135 vs Rosewill case + PSU for $50. Hmm

Anyone have any idea for substitutes for these? I have never built a computer before so this would not only be my first HTPC but also the first computer I have ever built so I am unsure about all the places to get parts.

All the hard drive prices are up due to flooding in Thailand. So the prices I have listed are their "regular" or "normal" prices and the prices they are at now are post-flooding prices.

Here is a trend of the prices over the last few months...
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...3#post21607803

If the cases are out of stock you can either wait for them to come back into stock or look for alternatives.
Reply
Reply
post #10475 of 15479
2/10/12 at 5:32am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Wilky13 View Post

YES! Question(s) though.....

My HTPC has a SSD, 2 2TB hdds, and a 500GB hdd. All my data is on those 2 2TB drives (and I am running out of room! Prices come down please!) My two laptops libraries are set to save and read their "libraries" from the HTPC. Ideally, I would like to remove all the mechanical drives from the HTPC and put them in a WHS built from my old Dual Core desktop collecting dust in the closet.
However, my HTPC has three main functions: 40% watching live tv off the Ceton InfiniTV 4 pci card in the HTPC via WMC, 40% watching recorded shows in WMC, and 20% watching my saved/ripped movies through Media Browser.
If all the mechanical hdd's are in the WHS will there be any problem watching Live TV on the HTPC and will the recordedTV shows save okay to the WHS eventhough the cablecard is in the HTPC? Also, is there any lag when watching stuff on the HTPC that is saved on the WHS? I do have a gigabit network. Even still, I notice some lag when watching movies in MB on either of my two Xbox's acting as media extenders, but no lag at all when watching LiveTV or RecordedTV on the extenders.

I checked on this a few days ago but I don't think WMC can store recorded shows on a networked drive. This is why the HD Homerun products are such a good product to use if you need that capability.

So you may have to keep 1 drive in your HTPC for your live and recorded TV.
Reply
Reply
post #10476 of 15479
2/10/12 at 5:33am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by TxBobS View Post

I should have said the Silverstone GD04.

With those big holes back there, it doesn't seem like there would be good cross flow for the power supply.

The case uses a negative pressure design which sucks air into the case and out those "big holes". So while using a filter on them may be fine I would not recommend impairing airflow out of them or blocking them further.
Reply
Reply
post #10477 of 15479
2/10/12 at 5:51am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

I checked on this a few days ago but I don't think WMC can store recorded shows on a networked drive. This is why the HD Homerun products are such a good product to use if you need that capability.

So you may have to keep 1 drive in your HTPC for your live and recorded TV.

Correct. Microsoft prohibit the use of networked drives for recorded TV and buffering live TV because they cannot guarantee network anomalies will not screw up the recordings. Live TV is written to and read from the HDD constantly but that leaves you a noise problem with the click-click head seeks. You will go from a nice quiet HTPC build to an irritating monster every time you have something recording or watching live. Playing back a recording is quiet though as the head is only reading data. I got around the problem by using a 1Tb 2.5" 5,400 rpm HDD drive and cased it in a 'Grow Up Japan' Smart Drive PROOF 25 2.5 inch HDD Silencer. Unfortunately this thing costs as much as the HDD but you do get almost total silence. Even on its own the 2.5" HDD is much quieter than a 3.5" version though.

You could use a 2.5" HDD in a USB external enclosure and hide it away somewhere.
Reply
Reply
post #10478 of 15479
2/10/12 at 6:07am
Why does Media Center go postage stamp on me sometimes? I only notice it occasionally when I use the Watch TV activity on the Harmony 700. That activity changes from the Comcast DVR on TV input 6 to the PC on HDMI 7, and also turns on the AVR. The PC is always on BTW. Changing the zoom using the aspect button won't fix it; only restarting Media Center launches full screen again.
LL
Reply
Reply
post #10479 of 15479
2/10/12 at 6:18am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by scopeyus View Post

Why does Media Center go postage stamp on me sometimes? I only notice it occasionally when I use the Watch TV activity on the Harmony 700. That activity changes from the Comcast DVR on TV input 6 to the PC on HDMI 7, and also turns on the AVR. The PC is always on BTW. Changing the zoom using the aspect button won't fix it; only restarting Media Center launches full screen again.

What video card or integrated video are you using?
Reply
Reply
post #10480 of 15479
2/10/12 at 6:37am
Using the guide in op as a basis this is what I have come up.

Sandy Bridge Pentium G530 $45
Asrock 268 PRO3-M $109
G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2 1600 RAM $30
Winsis Micro ATX case with 250W PSU $40 Anyone know anything about this case?
Still have to find a HDD and a BR drive.
I'll probably buy one of those Lenovo keyboard remotes too.
Windows 7 $65 with student discount but first I'm going to ask my father-in-law if he has an extra.


I imagine this will be fine for emulators and some light gaming.
Reply
Reply
post #10481 of 15479
2/10/12 at 6:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Thulean View Post

Using the guide in op as a basis this is what I have come up.

Sandy Bridge Pentium G530 $45
Asrock 268 PRO3-M $109
G.Skill 2x2GB DDR2 1600 RAM $30
Winsis Micro ATX case with 250W PSU $40 Anyone know anything about this case?
Still have to find a HDD and a BR drive.
I'll probably buy one of those Lenovo keyboard remotes too.
Windows 7 $65 with student discount but first I'm going to ask my father-in-law if he has an extra.


I imagine this will be fine for emulators and some light gaming.

Here is a link to the case since it wouldn't let me post one until after I had made three post.

http://www.directron.com/ws02bk.html
Reply
Reply
post #10482 of 15479
2/10/12 at 6:54am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

What video card or integrated video are you using?

No card, just I3-2100 chip v8.15.10.2559. I've included an image of my video settings. I see now that something has changed since my picture is chopped off at the top. I only have HDMI 6 and 7 so there is no #1 to use as you recommend.
LL
LL
Reply
Reply
post #10483 of 15479
2/10/12 at 7:09am
Quote:
Originally Posted by scopeyus View Post

Why does Media Center go postage stamp on me sometimes? I only notice it occasionally when I use the Watch TV activity on the Harmony 700. That activity changes from the Comcast DVR on TV input 6 to the PC on HDMI 7, and also turns on the AVR. The PC is always on BTW. Changing the zoom using the aspect button won't fix it; only restarting Media Center launches full screen again.

I've noticed this a few times too. I use the i3 without a discrete card. This the same switch that you are talking about but from U-verse to HTPC. My Deon AVR-889 is the HDMI switch with only one HDMI from it to my Samsung HDTV. It is a resolution change to 640x800 or something that only seems to happen occasionally when I leave MB on on the HTPC when switching to PVR. Exiting MB and restarting it does fix it most times. Sometimes the resolution is changed in Win7 to which requires at least a log out / log in and sometimes a reboot.

I am not sure what is causing it and haven't spent any time trying to ferret out why this happening either.
Reply
Reply
post #10484 of 15479
2/10/12 at 7:19am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by scopeyus View Post

No card, just I3-2100 chip v8.15.10.2559. I've included an image of my video settings. I see now that something has changed since my picture is chopped off at the top. I only have HDMI 6 and 7 so there is no #1 to use as you recommend.

What is your TV make and model and how is it connected?
Reply
Reply
post #10485 of 15479
2/10/12 at 7:24am
Thanks. My AVR is older, and I'm using optical audio, so I can say it's not your HDMI through your AV.
Reply
Reply
post #10486 of 15479
2/10/12 at 7:26am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by scopeyus View Post

Thanks. My AVR is older, and I'm using optical audio, so I can say it's not your HDMI through your AV.

Ok. But how is the video connected to you HDTV and what is its make and model?
Reply
Reply
post #10487 of 15479
2/10/12 at 7:29am
HTPC>Sony KDL-46V25L1>HDMI 7 renamed as PC
HTPC>Onkyo TX-SR501>SPDIF
Reply
Reply
post #10488 of 15479
2/10/12 at 7:38am
Can someone please list the steps for using ASUS disk unlocker? I have a ASUS P8Z68-M Pro LGA 1155 Intel Z68 HDMI SATA 6Gb/s USB 3.0 Micro ATX Intel Motherboard with UEFI BIOS with this Western Digital Caviar Green WD30EZRX 3TB IntelliPower SATA 6.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive and I will be running Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium SP1 64-bit - OEM. I haven't even built my PC yet, parts should arrive on Monday, however I was looking at this PDF PDFhttp://event.asus.com/mb/2010/dis...User_Guide.pdf and I don't understand what it is saying. So if anyone has done it, could you give me a step by step?
Reply
Reply
post #10489 of 15479
2/10/12 at 7:56am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by scopeyus View Post

HTPC>Sony KDL-46V25L1>HDMI 7 renamed as PC
HTPC>Onkyo TX-SR501>SPDIF

Hmm. No idea why this is changing on you. I would suggest trying a different Intel driver version if it becomes a routine issue.
Reply
Reply
post #10490 of 15479
2/10/12 at 8:02am
Quote:
Originally Posted by scopeyus View Post

Thanks. My AVR is older, and I'm using optical audio, so I can say it's not your HDMI through your AV.

I'm not sure that rules it out but only makes it less likely the culprit.

It doesn't happen often enough that I've spent any time looking into fixing it because it doesn't take so long to get it straightened out the once in a while that it does happen.

If it is happening all the time for you, then, yes, you want to get it worked out.
Reply
Reply
post #10491 of 15479
2/10/12 at 8:27am
OK, you made your point. Just trying to be helpful by pointing out that the problem occurs on a system connected by HDMI directly to a TV rather than through an AVR. I will keep my day job as clueless newb. :-)
Seriously though, thanks for your response. This forum is great because people like you take the time to offer advice. Cheers!
Reply
Reply
post #10492 of 15479
2/10/12 at 8:28am
Quote:
Originally Posted by scopeyus View Post

Why does Media Center go postage stamp on me sometimes? I only notice it occasionally when I use the Watch TV activity on the Harmony 700. That activity changes from the Comcast DVR on TV input 6 to the PC on HDMI 7, and also turns on the AVR. The PC is always on BTW. Changing the zoom using the aspect button won't fix it; only restarting Media Center launches full screen again.

My guess is you're experiencing a loss of EDID information by the PC. Restarting the PC causes a fresh EDID exchange. There's a thread around here on EDID overrides and I believe it's still supported by an expert user named Tulli. Try posting a question in that thread asking if an EDID override might resolve this. I was having similar issues when my HTPC would wake from sleep. But I solved it by installing a Gefen HDMI Detective Plus (~ $85). That resolved it for me.
Reply
Reply
post #10493 of 15479
2/10/12 at 8:33am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Hmm. No idea why this is changing on you. I would suggest trying a different Intel driver version if it becomes a routine issue.

Thanks. I guess the moral of the story is: don't switch inputs to use the Comcast DVR-no good can come of it!
Reply
Reply
post #10494 of 15479
2/10/12 at 8:39am
Quote:
Originally Posted by scopeyus View Post

OK, you made your point. Just trying to be helpful by pointing out that the problem occurs on a system connected by HDMI directly to a TV rather than through an AVR. I will keep my day job as clueless newb. :-)
Seriously though, thanks for your response. This forum is great because people like you take the time to offer advice. Cheers!

I did not mean to come off that way. Sorry. I'm just as stupid as the rest of us!
Reply
Reply
post #10495 of 15479
2/10/12 at 8:42am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tehowell View Post

My guess is you're experiencing a loss of EDID information by the PC. Restarting the PC causes a fresh EDID exchange. There's a thread around here on EDID overrides and I believe it's still supported by an expert user named Tulli. Try posting a question in that thread asking if an EDID override might resolve this. I was having similar issues when my HTPC would wake from sleep. But I solved it by installing a Gefen HDMI Detective Plus (~ $85). That resolved it for me.

Thanks. I'll do that.
Reply
Reply
post #10496 of 15479
2/10/12 at 8:44am
Quote:
Originally Posted by tehowell View Post

My guess is you're experiencing a loss of EDID information by the PC. Restarting the PC causes a fresh EDID exchange. There's a thread around here on EDID overrides and I believe it's still supported by an expert user named Tulli. Try posting a question in that thread asking if an EDID override might resolve this. I was having similar issues when my HTPC would wake from sleep. But I solved it by installing a Gefen HDMI Detective Plus (~ $85). That resolved it for me.

Which one??

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/gtsea...23post21625615

BTW, I saw those threads earlier on and didn't look at them because the title didn't seem like something I needed. Guess you learn something new every day.
Reply
Reply
post #10497 of 15479
2/10/12 at 9:04am
Quote:
Originally Posted by Sammy2 View Post

Which one??

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/gtsea...23post21625615

BTW, I saw those threads earlier on and didn't look at them because the title didn't seem like something I needed. Guess you learn something new every day.

The Plain EDID Override thread. It's not a problem with bitstreaming audio. I would describe the problem and ask if it might be fixed with an EDID override.
Reply
Reply
post #10498 of 15479
2/10/12 at 10:22am
If you have the time and skills to invest in the EDID over ride then go with it. I read the whole thread but decided the HDMI Detective was the simplest and cleanest option:



Works brilliantly.
Reply
Reply
post #10499 of 15479
2/10/12 at 10:59am
I am experiencing the EDID issue also. For now my workaround is to press the Win+P keys, tab and then enter. Repeating the sequence 4 times will bring back the screen.
Reply
Reply
post #10500 of 15479
2/10/12 at 11:16am
Quote:
Originally Posted by assassin View Post

Yep, sure can.

I chose a H67 micro-atx motherboard with HDMI out and the G620 because if I ever want to re-purpose the server in the future into a HTPC I can with these choices. Cost me probably $30-$40 extra to have this flexibility for the future.

Thanks, Assassin and cburbs. I'm thinking that's the way I'll go as well. H67 mobo with G620, and a 64 GB SSD for the OS drive.

Now I must debate form-factor. Do I keep the HPTC in my Rosewill mini-ITX (to be shoehorned behind the TV), and go Micro-ATX for the server... or put the HTPC in a skinny/prettier case, and re-use my Rosewill mini-ITX case for the server.

Let's see, RC-CIX-01 case... 1 HDD in the 3.5" bay, can put another HDD in the 5.25" bay, velcro the SSD in place... wonder if there's a place to sneak in another HDD.
-edit- scratch that, this build will need to house the Blu-Ray drive, so 5.25" bay is spoken for.
Reply
Reply
New Posts  All Forums:Forum Nav:
  Return Home
  Back to Forum: Home Theater Computers

Gear mentioned in this thread:

AVS › AVS Forum › Video Components › Home Theater Computers › Assassin's Simple/Beginner HTPC Buying Guide