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Basic HTPC build list; Ceton to follow; good IR receiver?

post #1 of 9
5/19/11 at 7:21am
Thread Starter 
So after years of desiring one, I'm finally going to bite the bullet and build myself an HTPC. My desires from it are as follows:

*Have a Windows machine available. I'm writing this on Ubuntu on an Allendale 8440p, and I hate using Windows with a burning fiery passion, but there are occasions when it would be useful (like easily getting a resume in .doc format, iTunes, and easier interfacing with fitness watches). This would mean it wouldn't have to annoy me for daily browsing purposes but would be there when I want it.

*Light gaming, potentially. This is why I'm waiting a few days for the i3-2105, though I know serious gaming will require a proper video card. I honestly anticipate I won't do much of this at all, with summer approaching, but for a few dollars I want to leave the door open to it.

*BR playback. Eventually I'd like an entertainment center that didn't suffocate everything in it and move this to a GD05 or somesuch and use it for everything. In the meantime it's going in an existing mATX tower to get it sorted.

*Get rid of the trashy Motorola cable box Comcast gave me. Not doing this or getting the Ceton until the rest of the machine is set up, though.

To that end, here's the parts list:

Asus P8H61-M
i3-2105
Win7 Pro-64
Asus PCE-N13
some 2x4GB 1.5v RAM
64-128GB SSD
1TB hard drive

Now, the questions.

Am I missing anything going with an H61 over an H67? The geek in me hates to think of going with the low-end chipset, but I won't really miss SATA3, given that it will rarely be turned off and won't have to boot much, 4 drives is plenty (SSD + BR + still two data drives).

The 2105 will let the Ceton record four streams without issue, correct? As with the motherboard, it hurts me a bit to not go with the 2500k, but as mentioned I'm unlikely to do serious gaming on this.

Any reason to pick on BR drive over another?

Any reason to use the Ripjaws over more pedestrian memory without heatsinks?

What's a good IR receiver? Is there one that fits in a 3.5" bay?

Now, my TV is a KDL-46V5100. I understand assassin has been ranting that most TVs don't do 23hz anyway; is that the case with mine? The specifications list "24p TrueCinema", which sounds like it could be 24hz instead of proper 23.987, but I'd like to be sure. I'm happy with the output from my standalone BR player, but I'd hate to give up playback quality from where it is now. If I'm running at 60hz anyway then I'll be fine.

I know that's a lot of questions, but I'm trying to answer all the questions that come when people ask for feedback on a build list. Thanks!
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post #2 of 9
5/19/11 at 5:25pm
Why are you not going with the H67? It is not that much more?

Just to be on the safe side I would use the cheapest RAM that Asus lists as compatible for the board!

I have my HTPC with Sandy on the ASRock H67M-GE/HT, which came with a IR reciever and Remote (not sure what the range is though).
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post #3 of 9
5/19/11 at 5:41pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by b_humbug View Post

The 2105 will let the Ceton record four streams without issue, correct? As with the motherboard, it hurts me a bit to not go with the 2500k, but as mentioned I'm unlikely to do serious gaming on this.

I'm using i3 2100 with Ceton, they both performing flawlessly together. Watching Recorded TV while typing this.


Quote:
Originally Posted by b_humbug View Post

Any reason to use the Ripjaws over more pedestrian memory without heatsinks?

No. But for the similar price, if you are not in hurry you can get a good deal in Newegg, the question is why not?



Quote:
Originally Posted by b_humbug View Post

I'm happy with the output from my standalone BR player, but I'd hate to give up playback quality from where it is now. If I'm running at 60hz anyway then I'll be fine.

Please refer below thread.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1333324
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post #4 of 9
5/19/11 at 8:30pm
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by timf79 View Post

Why are you not going with the H67? It is not that much more?

Just to be on the safe side I would use the cheapest RAM that Asus lists as compatible for the board!

I have my HTPC with Sandy on the ASRock H67M-GE/HT, which came with a IR reciever and Remote (not sure what the range is though).

The H67, to get the slot arrangement I want, is actually $50+ more. I certainly wouldn't get RAM that wasn't on the QVL. I've always been a fan of Asus and am not quite as comfortable with Asrock, which wasn't even around the last time I built a desktop.

Quote:
Originally Posted by hlkc View Post

I'm using i3 2100 with Ceton, they both performing flawlessly together. Watching Recorded TV while typing this.

Four streams?

Quote:
Originally Posted by hlkc View Post

No. But for the similar price, if you are not in hurry you can get a good deal in Newegg, the question is why not?

I've always been partial to Crucial, and I WILL be ordering everything on Sunday when the 2105 drops - I want this thing up and running for next weekend so I can play with it after the Bolder Boulder when I can't walk.

Quote:
Originally Posted by hlkc View Post

Please refer below thread.

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1333324

I actually did read that already. I've also seen people talking about audio falling out of sync with UAC disabled, which would drive me more nuts than anything. I'm hoping that 60hz will just be fine for me. Also, even if no one does 23hz perfectly, my current BR player does, I imagine. Anyway, we'll see.

Thanks for the replies!
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post #5 of 9
5/19/11 at 10:14pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by b_humbug View Post

Four streams?

That is the only configuration available today.



Quote:
Originally Posted by b_humbug View Post

I actually did read that already. I've also seen people talking about audio falling out of sync with UAC disabled, which would drive me more nuts than anything. I'm hoping that 60hz will just be fine for me. Also, even if no one does 23hz perfectly, my current BR player does, I imagine. Anyway, we'll see.

Thanks for the replies!

Good just want to make sure you know what you about to get into it since you mentioned "I'd hate to give up playback quality from where it is now". Sometime it bothers someone but other don't even notice.
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post #6 of 9
5/19/11 at 10:56pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by b_humbug View Post

So after years of desiring one, I'm finally going to bite the bullet and build myself an HTPC. My desires from it are as follows:

*Have a Windows machine available. I'm writing this on Ubuntu on an Allendale 8440p, and I hate using Windows with a burning fiery passion, but there are occasions when it would be useful (like easily getting a resume in .doc format, iTunes, and easier interfacing with fitness watches). This would mean it wouldn't have to annoy me for daily browsing purposes but would be there when I want it.

*Light gaming, potentially. This is why I'm waiting a few days for the i3-2105, though I know serious gaming will require a proper video card. I honestly anticipate I won't do much of this at all, with summer approaching, but for a few dollars I want to leave the door open to it.

*BR playback. Eventually I'd like an entertainment center that didn't suffocate everything in it and move this to a GD05 or somesuch and use it for everything. In the meantime it's going in an existing mATX tower to get it sorted.

*Get rid of the trashy Motorola cable box Comcast gave me. Not doing this or getting the Ceton until the rest of the machine is set up, though.

To that end, here's the parts list:

Asus P8H61-M
i3-2105
Win7 Pro-64
Asus PCE-N13
some 2x4GB 1.5v RAM
64-128GB SSD
1TB hard drive

Now, the questions.

Am I missing anything going with an H61 over an H67? The geek in me hates to think of going with the low-end chipset, but I won't really miss SATA3, given that it will rarely be turned off and won't have to boot much, 4 drives is plenty (SSD + BR + still two data drives).

The 2105 will let the Ceton record four streams without issue, correct? As with the motherboard, it hurts me a bit to not go with the 2500k, but as mentioned I'm unlikely to do serious gaming on this.

Any reason to pick on BR drive over another?

Any reason to use the Ripjaws over more pedestrian memory without heatsinks?

What's a good IR receiver? Is there one that fits in a 3.5" bay?

Now, my TV is a KDL-46V5100. I understand assassin has been ranting that most TVs don't do 23hz anyway; is that the case with mine? The specifications list "24p TrueCinema", which sounds like it could be 24hz instead of proper 23.987, but I'd like to be sure. I'm happy with the output from my standalone BR player, but I'd hate to give up playback quality from where it is now. If I'm running at 60hz anyway then I'll be fine.

I know that's a lot of questions, but I'm trying to answer all the questions that come when people ask for feedback on a build list. Thanks!

I wanted to say if you want to stick with Linux you can. If your receiver just bitstreams dts and dolby digital and not dts hd ma or dolby tru hd(wich actually is possible with Linux now but Im not sure how to do it yet) or if if does but you don't care you can use xbmc or xbmc live. Also I don't think you can do bluray playback in Linux(I could be mistaken) but if your going to continue using stand alone player it wont matter. Also talk to some people in here, as long as your tv supports it and you get the right hardware it is very possible to do consistent 23.976 on your htpc, I think the title of that thread is misleading.

Your good to go with the ceton and bluray drives don't matter just get one that has fast enough speeds if you want to transcode at a faster rate or do 3d or burn discs.

I guess the 3d statement above could be confusing. Any drive will do 3d as long as it does a minimum speed.(wich I don't remember)
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post #7 of 9
5/20/11 at 6:47am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by hlkc View Post

That is the only configuration available today.

Sorry; I meant to ask if your 2100 let the Ceton record all four streams simultaneously while still doing other things. I'm aware they only have a four-stream model at the moment, and the two-stream model I've heard about coming is external, which I'm not interested in.

Quote:
Originally Posted by hlkc View Post

Good just want to make sure you know what you about to get into it since you mentioned "I'd hate to give up playback quality from where it is now". Sometime it bothers someone but other don't even notice.

Well, the fallback plan if I can't stand it is to ship the whole thing off to my sister to use as her main desktop. I'm not getting rid of the BR standalone or the cable box until I'm completely happy with the setup.

Quote:
Originally Posted by joeydrunk View Post

I wanted to say if you want to stick with Linux you can. If your receiver just bitstreams dts and dolby digital and not dts hd ma or dolby tru hd(wich actually is possible with Linux now but Im not sure how to do it yet) or if if does but you don't care you can use xbmc or xbmc live. Also I don't think you can do bluray playback in Linux(I could be mistaken) but if your going to continue using stand alone player it wont matter. Also talk to some people in here, as long as your tv supports it and you get the right hardware it is very possible to do consistent 23.976 on your htpc, I think the title of that thread is misleading.

Heh... I don't actually have a receiver. I have probably the least-sophisticated setup on this board. I will need to fix that soon, though, because the TV's onboard speakers are starting to make a buzzing sound any time there's a sudden, if moderate, increase in volume. Also, as mentioned, I have other reasons for wanting a Windows machine around, and Linux would prevent using the Ceton and BR playback, and I'm hoping, long-term, to get down to one box.

As for the 23hz issue, assassin keeps saying most TVs don't do it anyway. I wish I knew for certain if mine did. This afternoon I'll pop in a BR from Netflix and see what my settings are currently.

Quote:
Originally Posted by joeydrunk View Post

Your good to go with the ceton and bluray drives don't matter just get one that has fast enough speeds if you want to transcode at a faster rate or do 3d or burn discs.

I guess the 3d statement above could be confusing. Any drive will do 3d as long as it does a minimum speed.(wich I don't remember)

Thanks; I'll just pick a BR drive. As per my "least-sophisticated" comment above, I don't have a 3D TV anyway, and I doubt I'm making that jump for a few years at least. It's nifty in the theater, but it would have to be only a moderate price premium the next time I'm buying a TV anyway, and I'd likely wait until it's available without glasses.
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post #8 of 9
5/20/11 at 7:17am
Quote:
Originally Posted by b_humbug View Post

Sorry; I meant to ask if your 2100 let the Ceton record all four streams simultaneously while still doing other things. I'm aware they only have a four-stream model at the moment, and the two-stream model I've heard about coming is external, which I'm not interested in.

Yes, it does 4 recordings anytime you wanted.


Quote:
Originally Posted by b_humbug View Post

Well, the fallback plan if I can't stand it is to ship the whole thing off to my sister to use as her main desktop. I'm not getting rid of the BR standalone or the cable box until I'm completely happy with the setup.

That was my plan too.
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post #9 of 9
5/20/11 at 7:31am
Quote:
Originally Posted by hlkc View Post

Yes, it does 4 recordings anytime you wanted.

That was my plan too.

Another option as far as getting rid of cable is to use Usenet newsgroups. You need a server, a search engine and provider such as usenetserver or astraweb, SABnzb, and NZBMATRIX or NEWZbin. All of these in conjunction with couch potato and sickbeard applications make a wonderful PVR experience. they finds any and all old and new tv episodes of any file/format/resolution/quality and puts it in the correct specified folder. It then scans it into your media centere and names it all, completely behind the scenes and automatically. It can do this with movies as well and download any trailers, metadata, and subtitles.
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