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New to HTPC,OK to use old desktop??

post #1 of 13
3/23/12 at 3:59pm
Thread Starter 
Hello,I am looking to get into HTPC. I am looking to use my son's old
desktop to get my feet wet before i buy something.

Computerell XPS 420
Windows Vista home prem 32 bit
Intel Core 2quad CPU q6600 @ 2.4 GHz
4 GB ram
NVidia GeForce 8800GTS (using RGB into sony xbr 48" 1080p TV)
Sigma Tel HighDef Audio (using toslink)

I got everything all hooked up and bought an USB wireless adapter and am
getting internet at 54 mgps.

The display looks great playing DVD or streaming from Netflix. I managed to
set the NVidia to 1080p for the TV and I think its working fine.

I connected the audio (toslink) to my anthem avr and am getting 5.1
when I play DVD's. All the streaming content seems to be 2ch PCM only??

I installed MakeMKV and JRiver Media player and am getting a feel for
those programs. I ripped a couple of DVDs and they look and sound great.
It seems that the WMC is somewhat limited due to the fact that I'm using
Vista, and to get more features I would need to install Windows7.??

I would like to be able to get the most bang for the buck using internet
streaming,eventually looking to trim my Directv bill. I live in a rural area
so I wont be able to completely lose the satellite Looking to optimize
the audio thru my surround sound system, a bit disappointed in streaming
audio limitations.

I am also thinking about rippin my DVD collection to computer ,about
a 100 DVDs,gonna need an external USB hardrive cuz I only have about
200 GB on the computer hardrive.

Due you think this is an adequate set-up?? If not,what kind of improvements
can I make. I am thinking about one of the "Assassin HTPC" computers,
looks to be an ideal set-up for me,but before I drop a $grand on one of
his HTPCs I want to make sure I will get my monies worth and not
get frustrated or set my expectations too high. (I'm not skilled enough
to build my own)

Sorry for the long post, I welcome your comments,thoughts and suggestions!
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post #2 of 13
3/23/12 at 4:08pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by grasshoppers View Post

Hello,I am looking to get into HTPC. I am looking to use my son's old
desktop to get my feet wet before i buy something.

Computerell XPS 420
Windows Vista home prem 32 bit
Intel Core 2quad CPU q6600 @ 2.4 GHz
4 GB ram
NVidia GeForce 8800GTS (using RGB into sony xbr 48" 1080p TV)
Sigma Tel HighDef Audio (using toslink)

I got everything all hooked up and bought an USB wireless adapter and am
getting internet at 54 mgps.

The display looks great playing DVD or streaming from Netflix. I managed to
set the NVidia to 1080p for the TV and I think its working fine.

I connected the audio (toslink) to my anthem avr and am getting 5.1
when I play DVD's. All the streaming content seems to be 2ch PCM only??

I installed MakeMKV and JRiver Media player and am getting a feel for
those programs. I ripped a couple of DVDs and they look and sound great.
It seems that the WMC is somewhat limited due to the fact that I'm using
Vista, and to get more features I would need to install Windows7.??

I would like to be able to get the most bang for the buck using internet
streaming,eventually looking to trim my Directv bill. I live in a rural area
so I wont be able to completely lose the satellite Looking to optimize
the audio thru my surround sound system, a bit disappointed in streaming
audio limitations.

I am also thinking about rippin my DVD collection to computer ,about
a 100 DVDs,gonna need an external USB hardrive cuz I only have about
200 GB on the computer hardrive.

Due you think this is an adequate set-up?? If not,what kind of improvements
can I make. I am thinking about one of the "Assassin HTPC" computers,
looks to be an ideal set-up for me,but before I drop a $grand on one of
his HTPCs I want to make sure I will get my monies worth and not
get frustrated or set my expectations too high. (I'm not skilled enough
to build my own)

Sorry for the long post, I welcome your comments,thoughts and suggestions!

First, welcome to HTPC! Congrats on taking the plunge.

From a hardware standpoint you are almost there. While it certainly isn't the latest in technology it should serve you for a starter HTPC (although I have a feeling you will want to upgrade to a more component like HTPC in a short while). One suggestion I would make is to consider getting a discrete video card with HDMI out assuming that your PC can support it and your HDTV has HDMI. This will carry your HD Video and Audio over a single cable and may give you better PQ. I am not sure the limitations of your current card (I apologize as I don't have the time today to research it for you). You can get a "modern day" HTPC card for as little as $20-$45. I would also think about upgrading from Vista to Win7.

Other than that looks good for a trial into the HTPC world. Consider using my guides as they were created for people such as yourself who want to setup, tweak and maximize their new HTPC.
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post #3 of 13
3/23/12 at 4:29pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the Reply. My TV does have HDMI, but I
don't Really want to sink any money into this old
computer. My son used it heavily for gaming before he
joined the Army. Not sure of it's remaining life expectancy.

I talked to one of your guys (Ben) he was VERY helpful.
I just don't want to get in over my head before I make a commitment.
Any money I spend I would preferrably use for something new
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post #4 of 13
3/23/12 at 4:45pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by grasshoppers View Post

Thanks for the Reply. My TV does have HDMI, but I
don't Really want to sink any money into this old
computer. My son used it heavily for gaming before he
joined the Army. Not sure of it's remaining life expectancy.

I talked to one of your guys (Ben) he was VERY helpful.
I just don't want to get in over my head before I make a commitment.
Any money I spend I would preferrably use for something new

That Ben is a good guy. I have literally known his whole life as he is my younger brother.
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post #5 of 13
3/23/12 at 6:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by grasshoppers View Post

Thanks for the Reply. My TV does have HDMI, but I
don't Really want to sink any money into this old
computer. My son used it heavily for gaming before he
joined the Army. Not sure of it's remaining life expectancy.

I talked to one of your guys (Ben) he was VERY helpful.
I just don't want to get in over my head before I make a commitment.
Any money I spend I would preferrably use for something new

Basically heatsinks get clogged with dust and cooling fans and hard drives fail. Everything else in a computer lasts a long time, so dusting heatsinks and replacing the few items that go bad can give a system more lifespan then anybody really wants.
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post #6 of 13
3/23/12 at 8:08pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks for the info regarding the fans and heatsinks.
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post #7 of 13
3/23/12 at 8:10pm
I would consider a cheap (nowdays $25 on sale) HD5570 or so card with HDMI out.

If you are going to rip your DVDs, you will need storage. I recently got a Mediasonic Probox which I like. I started it with a single 2 TB drive and plan to add more as storage prices re-stabalize.
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post #8 of 13
3/23/12 at 8:18pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by lespurgeon View Post

I would consider a cheap (nowdays $25 on sale) HD5570 or so card with HDMI out.

If you are going to rip your DVDs, you will need storage. I recently got a Mediasonic Probox which I like. I started it with a single 2 TB drive and plan to add more as storage prices re-stabalize.

I mentioned this as well. He doesn't want to put anymore $ into his current system.
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post #9 of 13
3/23/12 at 8:37pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by grasshoppers View Post

Thanks for the Reply. My TV does have HDMI, but I
don't Really want to sink any money into this old
computer. My son used it heavily for gaming before he
joined the Army. Not sure of it's remaining life expectancy.

I talked to one of your guys (Ben) he was VERY helpful.
I just don't want to get in over my head before I make a commitment.
Any money I spend I would preferrably use for something new

life expectancy for this rig will most likely be years. the hardware requirements to play video are pretty low and will stay that way.

once you have an HTPC, you won't need to upgrade it again, the hardware requirements for playing video aren't gonna change.

and if they do, it would only require a newer low end vid card. CPU's with low end vid cards run ~5% up to ~25% i'd say; it is not CPU intensive by any means.

i would agree with getting a cheap low end card (ati 5450 or 5770 or equivalent for <$50) card, it just makes things easier.

i'd say use it and not worry about it being outdated anytime soon.
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post #10 of 13
3/23/12 at 9:14pm
Thread Starter 
Thanks Gentlemen, I guess I could spring for a new
video card. Fifty bucks isnt going to break the
bank.

Like I said this is kind of an experiment for me. I am
just barely getting my feet wet. A lot of this stuff is
way past me. Trying to learn as much as I can before
I decide to pursue it further. I just dont like staring
at a desktop tower sitting next to my entertainment
center. LOL. Still wondering if I am missing any pieces
of the puzzle.

Thanks.
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post #11 of 13
3/23/12 at 9:26pm
Quote:
Originally Posted by grasshoppers View Post

Thanks Gentlemen, I guess I could spring for a new
video card. Fifty bucks isnt going to break the
bank.

Like I said this is kind of an experiment for me. I am
just barely getting my feet wet. A lot of this stuff is
way past me. Trying to learn as much as I can before
I decide to pursue it further. I just dont like staring
at a desktop tower sitting next to my entertainment
center. LOL. Still wondering if I am missing any pieces
of the puzzle.

Thanks.

Looks like you are going to want a component style HTPC sooner than later!

You can always reuse the video card in another HTPC --- even if you buy one from a company like assassinhtpc. So really in your situation this is almost a no brainer.
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post #12 of 13
3/24/12 at 9:48am
Quote:
Originally Posted by grasshoppers View Post

Thanks Gentlemen, I guess I could spring for a new
video card. Fifty bucks isnt going to break the
bank.

Like I said this is kind of an experiment for me. I am
just barely getting my feet wet. A lot of this stuff is
way past me. Trying to learn as much as I can before
I decide to pursue it further. I just dont like staring
at a desktop tower sitting next to my entertainment
center. LOL. Still wondering if I am missing any pieces
of the puzzle.

Thanks.

a remote actually (or if you have a harmony remote, just an IR Receiver). something like this will work perfectly and it will allow you to hide your HTPC behind the entertainment center (just set the ir receiver out in the open to get the remote signals).

a tip, set your htpc to go to sleep when you power it off, that way it can still receive a signal from your remote to wake up where as if you turn it off, you'll have to turn it on yourself.
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post #13 of 13
3/26/12 at 7:14am
Thread Starter 
Quote:
Originally Posted by Bojangles139 View Post

a remote actually (or if you have a harmony remote, just an IR Receiver). something like this will work perfectly and it will allow you to hide your HTPC behind the entertainment center (just set the ir receiver out in the open to get the remote signals).

a tip, set your htpc to go to sleep when you power it off, that way it can still receive a signal from your remote to wake up where as if you turn it off, you'll have to turn it on yourself.

Thanks, that is a great solution!!
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