Assassin's HTPC Setup and Configuration Guide/Tutorial

I just wanted to announce to the AVS community that I have created the most comprehensive guide to configuring and setting up a HTPC.

Over the past many years and many HTPC builds I have made a "recipe" of parts and steps that I use to create my HTPCs. I have now compiled these into one gargantuan guide which I have been making over the past many weeks.

The guide itself is much too large to post at AVS and is actually being hosted by one of our members on his server. I have posted it in the paid area of my blog which you can reach from my signature link.

The guide itself encompasses most of what anyone would need to get up and running with their HTPC and I hope to greatly reduce the amount of hours (weeks?) it takes to get your HTPC where it not only looks great but functions very well.

The stats: Over 48,000 words (and counting), Over 2000 pictures

What's Included? (all guides are illustrated and step-by-step)

Paid Guide 1

General bios configuration
SATA settings including AHCI in bios
Boot priority in bios
Hard drive boot priority in bios
Fan settings in bios
Onboard video settings in bios
HD Audio and Video settings in bios
General Windows installation
Correct way to make an OS partition on a single hard drive (and why to do it)
Optimal way to install updates
What to install and NOT to install from your motherboard disc
How to add and enable a second hard drive in disk management
Optimal way to install hardware drivers
General setup after windows install
General approach to loading drivers
Anti-virus discussion and recommendation
Other important Windows settings
Paid Guides 2-6

Software required with direct links to downloads
Descriptions of what all software does in easy to use terms and how your HTPC interacts with each of these pieces of software
Bitstreaming instructions for all HD Audio and HD Video
Correct way to connect your HTPC to AV system/receiver using HDMI and/or optical digital audio
Tweaking your picture from your HTPC including overscan
Windows Media Center setup and configuration
Mediabrowser settings and configuration
How to add movies correctly
Changing the theme background and changing folder permissions
Adding custom icons
Themes and plug-ins needed
Enabling local metadata for quicker load times
Preparing Media Center Master and describing how it works
Describing how to find a movie that cannot be found
Correct way to update your library
Changing the look in mediabrowser
Guide for naming folders correctly
Integrate HULU into Windows Media Center seamlessly
Integrate Zinc.TV into Windows Media Center seamlessly
Integrate Boxee into Windows Media Center seamlessly
Integrating ESPN3 into Windows Media Center seamlessly
MakeMKV made even easier
Integrating Auto Rip n Compress
Pearl theme appearance guide
Adding and configuring a TV Tuner Device in WMC
Adding TV Channel logos to the WMC TV Guide
Turning on and off subtitles in WMC
Subtitle contols in WMC
Sample HD audio and HD Video files
Testing your HD Audio Setup including bitstreaming
Tutorial on how to test your HD Audio Setup through WMC
Game Emulation basics on your HTPC
Guide on how to setup and use game emulators inside MB
Guide on how to setup and use gamebrowser
Guide on how to setup and use gaming emulators in full screen
Playing games with a game emulator
Metadata for your games
Guide on downloading and installing metadata for your games
Custom folder art for your games
Searching for actors and titles in WMC
Recording shows and series in WMC
Changing recording settings in WMC
Changing where recordings are stored in WMC
Reviewing and managing recordings in WMC
Viewing your media information
Changing audio streams seamlessly during playback
Discussing shrinking and changing HD file using Handbrake
Installing and describing different parts of Handbrake
Discussing settings and how to shrink files using Handbrake
Software for renaming your files in bulk
Guide on renaming your files in bulk
Using other components to update libraries using newly renamed files
Software needed to mount an iso file
Mounting an iso file from within Mediabrowser
Playing an iso file with your HTPC
Installing HD Homerun software
Configuring HD Homerun settings
Integrating HD Homerun into WMC
Starting WMC in Live TV Mode from shortcut
Starting WMC in Live TV Mode from start menu
Adding ability to toggle subtitles via remote control
Custom programming buttons for subtitle control
Download theatrical trailers automatically
Add theatrical trailers automatically
Watch theatrical trailers from within Mediabrowser for your specific movies
Describing how to make a custom "moving" backdrop
Creating a custom "moving" backdrop
How to integrate a custom backdrop for each genre media collection within Mediabrowser
Adding Netflix plug-in to WMC
Lauching Netflix from WMC
Watching Netflix from WMC
Transcoding Live TV files and recordings automatically
Shrink your Live TV files and recordings to 10% of their original size automatically
Remove commercials automatically from your Live TV files and recordings
Set a time to automatically transcode and remove commercials from your Live TV files
Describing what a VPN is and why to use it
List of recommend VPN sites
Setup and configuring a VPN
Integrating a VPN into your HTPC software
Updating Media Browser
Chaging the view in Media Browser
Using the Coverart plug-in in Media Browser
Updating the Image Cache in Media Browser
Media Browser new appearance guide #2
How to backup your HTPC
Why you should want to create a system image
How to create an image of your OS drive
Creating a System Repair Disc
Creating a System Image on Hard Drive, Disc or Network
Recovering your HTPC from an OS failure using system image
Rebooting your HTPC and installing your system image
Overview of using boxed sets in mediabrowser
Correctly labeling your boxed sets in mediabrowser
Folder setup in mediabrowser using boxed sets
Boxed set display options in mediabrowser
Installing a Sleep Timer for WMC
Locating and setting Sleep Timer from within WMC
Increasing Replay buffer duration in WMC
Increasing Pause buffer duration in WMC
2 Methods to increase buffers in WMC
Logitech Harmony One Remote Control for the HTPC
Discussing the Harmony One and its uses
Discussing possible WMC codes to use
Setting up and controlling a HTPC
Turning your Harmony One remote into a HTPC Mouse
Macro button setup for one button launching of WMC
Downloading and installing Icons for Favorite TV Channels
Setting up Icons for Favorite TV Channels
Discussing possible power and timing options for the Harmony One
Setting power and timings for the Harmony One
Using the Harmony One remote control to launch XBMC or WMC/Mediabrowser
Describing Blurip and why you might need it
Installing all the parts needed for Blurip
Blurip settings and setup
Ripping a MKV with Blurip
Using Handbrake and Preserving HD Audio
General settings for shrinking HD movies
Settings recommendations and tips for shrinking HD movies
Specific examples for shrinking HD movies with Handbrake
Downloading and installing Radio playback
Setting up Radio playback
Adding radio icon to strip in WMC
Installing and setting up Squeezeplay for the HTPC
Remote settings and control for Squeezeplay from a tablet device
Internet radio and playing stored audio using Squeezeplay
Installing and Configuring StaxRip and Preserving HD Audio
Using StaxRip to re-encode your media
Preserving HD Audio with Staxrip in Bluray folders
Foobar2000 for the HTPC
Installing and setting up Foobar
Enabling bitperfect playback in Foobar
Remote tablet control of Foobar
Using Media Center Themer for WMC
Installing and using MCT
Themes for MCT
Enabling and setting theme backgrounds using MCT
Advanced: Launching MPC-HC from Mediabrowser (Paid Guides 8 )
Advanced: Adding LAV, LAV CUVID, Madvr, and MPC-HC (Paid Guides 8 )
Advanced: LAV, LAV CUVID, Madvr, MPC-HC settings (Paid Guides 8 )
Paid Guide 9-10

Introduction to XBMC
Description of XBMC
Downloading and installing XBMC
Setting up and running XBMC
Video and Audio setup in XBMC
General settings in XBMC
How to perform Add Ons in XBMC
Adding movies to XBMC
Adding TV shows to XBMC
Changing the Information screen in XBMC
Adding on skins in XBMC
Configuring skins in XBMC
Customization options in XBMC
Changing the view in XBMC
Subtitle control in XBMC
Video settings options in XBMC
Audio settings options in XBMC
Updated catalog manually in XBMC
Deleting movies from XBMC library from within XBMC
Genre folder setup discussion for XBMC
Creating a genre folder in XBMC
Adding files and folders to a genre folder in XBMC
Displaying custom genre folders in XBMC
Downloading 20+ skins for XBMC in a few easy clicks
Installing 20+ skins for XBMC
Basic setup and appearance of new skins in XBMC
Discussing HD Audio Bitstreaming for XBMC (Option 1)
Installing HD Audio Bitstreaming for XBMC internally (Option 1)
Configuring HD Audio Bitstreaming for XBMC internally (Option 1)
Adjusting settings for HD Audio Bitstreaming for XBMC internally (Option 1)
Testing HD Audio Bitstreaming for XBMC internally (Option 1)
Discussing HD Audio Bitstreaming for XBMC (Option 2)
Installing HD Audio Bitstreaming for XBMC externally (Option 2)
Configuring HD Audio Bitstreaming for XBMC externally (Option 2)
Adjusting settings for HD Audio Bitstreaming for XBMC externally (Option 2)
Testing HD Audio Bitstreaming for XBMC externally (Option 2)
Discussing HD Audio Bitstreaming for XBMC (Option 3)
Installing HD Audio Bitstreaming for XBMC externally (Option 3)
Configuring HD Audio Bitstreaming for XBMC externally (Option 3)
Adjusting settings for HD Audio Bitstreaming for XBMC externally (Option 3)
Testing HD Audio Bitstreaming for XBMC externally (Option 3)
Introducing and describing Constellation for XBMC and iPad for XBMC
Downloading Constellation for XBMC
Preparing network settings for Constellation for XBMC
Constellation setup and settings for XBMC
Overview of controlling Constellation for XBMC
Describing Flirc and why its needed for XBMC
Installing Flirc for XBMC
Setup and use of Flirc in XBMC
Launching XBMC using Flirc
Discussing Add-Ons in XBMC
Examples of multiple places to obtain Add-Ons for XBMC
Downloading and enabling Add-Ons for XBMC
Discussing Apple TV2 as an extender for XBMC
Jailbreaking AppleTV2
Installing NitoTV on Apple TV2
Installing XBMC on Apple TV2
Using Network Folders in XBMC
Locating Network Folders for XBMC
Configuring and setting up Network Folders for XBMC
Discussing Remote Controls for XBMC
Launching XBMC from a WMC's "The Green Button" Remote Control
Using the Harmony One remote control to launch XBMC or WMC/Mediabrowser
Controlling XBMC via remote control
Adding HULU, ESPN, Amazon Prime, Yahoo Music Videos and other plug-ins to XBMC
Downloading and installing HULU, ESPN, Amazon Prime, Yahoo Music Videos and other plug-ins to XBMC
Building a youtube directory
Enabling and installing the youtube add-on for XBMC
Configuring the youtube add-on for XBMC
Watching and controlling youtube video for XBMC
Downloading Theme Packs for XBMC
Extracting Theme Packs for XBMC
Installing and Enabling Theme Packs for XBMC
Installing and enabling Pandora in XBMC
Configuring Pandora for XBMC
Launching and using Pandora in XBMC
Downloading and Installing Commander for XBMC
Configuring Commander for XBMC
Tablet control for XBMC using the Commander App
More added weekly...

Testimonials:

“I can assure you the private section is worth every penny!!!!” -jbcain

“Great guide assassin. I’ll be doing some work on my HTPC once this TV season ends. I see a few things in the guide that I want to try. Thanks for all of your hard work.” -Jackal55

“Just had a look at the new guide. I must say I wish I had this when I was getting into htpc’s. Would have saved me a ton of headaches.
What I like about this is for the user that doesn’t like to tinker nonstop this is a great way to get everything dialed in. Its all there layed out with tons of pictures and you really can’t screw it up. My wife to do it with this guide no problem. Got to give Assassin an A for this one and for anyone that is on the fence about it go for it you will not be disappointed.” -whiteboy714

“I just checked out assassins new paid guide. I believe it is the most current up to date, simplest, well put together guide/tutorial currently available. I think this guide alone is worth well more than $20 bucks, so Im stoked it also gives me a lifetime membership.
The guide is extremely simple and put together in a way where its so easy to follow youll be able to setup all software to get up and running with your new htpc watching media in 1080p w/ bitstreamed hd audio.
I consider myself fairly.knowledgeable when it comes too htpc’s. I’m far from an expert but I’ve well overcome the beginners hurdles. That being said someone of my experience can still definitly benefit from this guide. If your an expert who has been out of the “htpc scene” for a bit or if you well versed in another media center or your just an average htpc enthusiast I think this guide has something for everyone. Plus I’m excited about there being more in depth guides to follow to further expand my htpc abilities. Great guide!” -joeydrunk

“I second this….as soon as my case arrives I will be using this for sure to get my new system up and running. ‘Ole!” -AVTechMan

“I just read through your paid guides on your blog. Nice work Assassin! I really wish there had been something like this a few years ago! It would have saved me countless hours of searches, posts, and trial and error. I have set up numerous HTPC’s over the years and your guide boils the steps down to easy to follow steps for the novice and experienced user alike. For those of you setting up your first HTPC, this guide is well worth the money. It will save you hours of frustration and you’ll end up with a smooth running HTPC. Keep up the great work Assassin! I’m looking forward to your future updates!” -badgerpilot

“WOW. I went ahead and assembled a Clarkdale i3 HTPC with an DTV tuner in it and it now permanently resides in my home theater and is connected to my network. This would have never happened without the wealth of knowledge that assassin has about setting up HTPC’s. I’ve got the HTPC all hooked up and am in the process of setting up filters, splitters, codecs, metadata scrapers and such using assassin’s fantastic guides found on his blog page.
These guides are priceless but available for an unlimited use membership fee of only $20 which is way less than cost of retail software to run an HTPC. They come with great graphics and concise step-by-step instructions on how to set up each software component needed for great playback of all your media.” -Sammy2

“Assassin I love the guide. The pictures will especially help since this is my first time doing anything with a HTPC.” -pjb16

“Excellent guide btw assassin. Can’t stress how much of a help your guide has been. Keep up the good work!” -amarshonarbangla

"3 more great guides man! Perfect complete step by step instructions. With those 3 you pretty much have every single online channel available. If there's anybody new here I highly recommend you check this out. I so wish I had this when I first set up." -joeydrunk

"Another value for the money. Thanks assassin." -Sammy2

“I Just signed up for a membership at Assassin’s blog. I suggest everyone here do the same. Priceless information for the HTPC builder and you’re supporting the man behind the wheel here. Thank You.” -jes.jr

"Ok wow so I finally just finished reading the paid guides on your blog. It took me forever because there was so much detailed and useful info. I wish that it was all there when I started my build because it would have saved me like 2 weeks of bashing my head on the keyboard. I did almost everything listed in the guides except change to the new lav splitter thing, because I already have shark installed and everything works (knock on wood). I didn't want to mess it all up. I can't wait till everyone starts asking me to build them htpc's I'm going to send them to assassins and tell them to buy his guides and sit back and enjoy!" -hanly2

"I just found the solution to a problem I have been working on for weeks. I should have started at Assassin's guide rather than ending there.
I just hope you will continue to have the time (and strength) to keep it updated as the technology changes." -CountryBumkin

"I'd like to thank Assassin for his (ongoing) help and guide. It made the software side extremely easy." -pjb16

"I finally got through most of the paid guides. Haven't done Zinc, Hulu and Boxee yet but will get to them shortly. The guide will take your HTPC from an empty box to full throttle in an hour or so. I am sure the information is out there if you want to spend the time googling and reading forums. Assassin's guide will take you through step by step and it's all in on place. This will get your HTPC to the wife-acceptable point. Heck, she might even think your HTPC idea was so great she will even let you upgrade to that projector you want. ...well at least that's what I am hopping for! Thanks, Assassin!" -davemathews68

"Agreed dude...for $20.00 this is a no brainer. I know my time is worth more than that and I guarantee that in TIME ALONE, I'm well over a grand and I'm still not completely sure everything is right. You've done all the research for the New People who want to get into the hobby as well as giving the older timers (like me) something new to chew on. All for $20.00? If someone thinks it's not worth it...they can feel free to find all the info on their own.
I do have a question about something I just read.
Within the "Building the Engine" post, you're talking specifically about getting everything working and play well with the other things right? Is your goal to give people the ability to bitstream WITHOUT having to buy BD Software with the tools you list in the guide? As I was reading the information, I was thinking to myself "had this been available BEFORE I bought software, I could have saved myself the green"...looks like you are making it work for nearly nothing (save the possible cost of MakeMKV at some point).
Anyway....great guides dude...absolutely great." -Paul E. Fox, II

"So, you just built an HTPC and you’re spending hours/days/weeks pouring over the Internet looking for the answers to all of your setup questions. Search no more; most if not all of your answers are in Assassin’s guide. It’s well written, logically arranged, beautifully illustrated, with great analogies, to help you get up and running FAST! Keep your sanity- GET THE GUIDE! http://assassinhtpcblog.com/ " -scopeyus

"Best 20 dollars I've ever spent. I've spent hours trying to configure mediacontrol and ffdshow to get my subtitles working. In about 5 minutes, I've got it working with CoreAVC and Haali Splitter, and DirectVobSub, thanks to your guide. Fantastic work." -thefever

"First, I would say thank to Assassin, the guide saves me a lot of work, this guide is worth the price and even more, again, Thanks Assassin" -snef

"I bought the guide, and it was the best 20 bucks i spent on this little project." -mike10778

"BTW assassin, your guide was worth every penny. I had my system up and running within a couple hours with no headaches thanks to you. Great job." -CloudVader

"Assassin's paid guides are well worth the cost. Even if you are like me and have a lot of experience in system building, the step by step software setup guides make the setup fast and painless." -greypilgram

“I just built my first HTPC two weeks ago and wanted to make sure my wife could pick up a remote and basically accomplish what she did with the comcast cable box (watch tv, view a guide, record shows, watch the recorded shows) in addition to now being able to watch our dvds/blu rays without having to touch a disk. It was really important that this was done via remote and she wasn’t having to touch a mouse, keyboard, turn on the computer everyday, etc. To make it simple, I paid $20 for Assassin’s guide and used his recommended software, but the $20 was best spent towards the configurations of media browser to make everything look impressive and easy to use. Even his section on how to make media center open directly to live tv was a big plus with the wife. So, now, my wife uses the Rosewill Windows 7 remote to turn on the tv and wake the computer (like she would turn on the cable box) and it goes right into the live tv guide to see what was on. Since we primarily watch television during the week, this is no different than when we had Comcast. Plus, if she wants to watch a movie/dvd, the media browser is accessed from the remote and everything looks impressive. The WAF (wife approval factor) was so great that she let me cancel cable after about the 2nd day (I was going to use both for a month to make sure she approved the HTCP for everyday use).” -jcbaggins

"the $20 you pay for the guides is well worth it. There's so much info in there your going to be like "That's the best $20 I spent in a long time." At least I am saying that =)" -Limp Fox

Many, many many more....

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Added another guide to my first tutorial and moved a few things around.

There are now 8 guides in the first tutorial alone.

I made one correction in the windows settings. Part of guide #1.

Thanks. I appreciate it.

You are correct. The website is under construction.

Take a look at the "Compare Assassin" tab. 2 of the 3 initial models are there for comparison.

That's a pretty good list.

IMO the top and bottom sections are relatively straight forward. Its the middle section that gives almost everybody fits (and is 100% guaranteed to give new builders fits).

I think my guide does an excellent job in fixing that problem.

I am going to make a guide that will also cover the top portion of your list as well.

Stay tuned...

Thank you to everyone that has viewed my guide.

I have added another guide tonight to the first tutorial.

Enjoy!

Added another guide tonight over at my blog. Enjoy.

Added 1 additional guide.

Updated the first post in this thread.

This tutorial is a mammoth and getting larger!

Thanks. Glad you took the plunge and that I could help.