Show Your HTPC Setup - Page 10

What front end are you using there?

Beatsntoons, That's media browser with the Maelstrom theme, really good, small but quick with really customisable choices

Silverstone LC-17
Intel Core2Duo 3Ghz
4gig OCZ RAM
3TB HDD space
Nvidia 8600GTS 1gig
HDHomerun
Window7 Pro
MediaBrowser w/ Chocolate Theme
Onkyo TX-SR507
Pioneer 5.1 speakers
PS3
Xbox360
Samsung HLR5678W 1080p DLP
Optoma HD20
120" Electric Screen
Harmony 550

If you look at the top menu of MediaBrowser, you'll notice a custom backdrop in the gallery I created. Its of a beautiful home theater of someone here in the AVSForum. Cant remember his name. While browsing the "Boxsets" menu, the screen automatically changes. Also, you can see one of my new EHS icons at work on the top menu too. You can view them and download a set using the link in my signature. There are 4 styles to choose from now. You can also find many different types of icons, backdrops, and covers over at the MediaBrowser Community Tracker. Go check it out... http://community.mediabrowser.tv/topics?category_id=7



I'll post some pics of my setup soon. Apartment is a mess.

Xzener I like how you have that harry potter image on the screen for the backdrop. I use the original (with the green trailer screen) and that would blend very well if ALL THE MOVIES JJUST HAD THAT FOR A BACKGROUND WITH A SCREEN SHOT. (sorry stupid caps)

But I assume those all need to be done manually which would be a pain, thanks for all your hard work as always!

Yeah, it would be a pain. I have no intention of creating those for people. I use those for my boxsets, has a very nice smooth transition from set to set. If I had the know how, I could create a plugin to do that automatically, but as you all know, I'm a graphic artist, not a programmer.

I only have a little over 300 movies.... Cant imagine creating all those.

I'm glad your using the trailers one at least.

So, is that a bedroom or a dining room?? Are you gonna add any acoustical treatments??

Yah I wouldn't expect you to do it. Like you said I'm sure for a programmer it would be a simple little app. Either way I'm happy with mine as it is now. Thnks again for your efforts.

It's actally a single car garage that has been converted to this room. The sound setup is simple and on the side; just an old Denon AVR5600, PS3(that streams video files from a Lacie NAS, comcast cable box, a set of old P5 B&W in the front, old klipsch center, HSU subs, and B&W rears.
The audio side still sounds good even if it's old.

Soft-modding original XBOX







XBMC sitting on top of the component stack



UR Digital R50 with XBMC controls



weather...



music...





XBOX 360 media



MacBook Pro Driving TV



...checking out space weather this time...









...windows via vmware

Video:
LG 60PG60 plasma TV
Benq PE8700 DLP projector

Audio:
MartinLogan Prodigy (front)
MartinLogan Aeon i (rear)
Definitive Technology (sub)
Bryston 4BSST amplifier (front)
Emotiva UPA-2 amplifer (rear)

HTPC:
Core i7 860
4.5 TB storage
Asus Xonar D2X audio
XBMC, Beyond TV, remote control via Girder/USB-UIRT

I'm running a 4.1 setup (no center). Audio is direct from the Xonar D2X to the amplifiers. Sounds amazing, much better than the Pioneer Elite receiver I was using before.

Displays are 60" plasma TV or 106" DLP projector, from a cheap ATI video card.

@bryan_chow ... pretty slick setup you got there!

nice setup

figured I'd throw my set-up into this fray.
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/attac...1&d=1271778217
here's my list
47"lg 47LH55
b&w CM series center
b&w L & R 604S1(bi-amped)
b&w LR & RR 602S2 not shown
klipsch sub(not shown)
onkyo th-sr707
lenovo ideacenter (5450 vid card)


very happy with my set up and thanks to all here its all working great!!
keep up the great work!!

Here's mine.

The overall system:




The HTPC innards (without the disk cages installed):




The Mobo, CPU, RAM & Cooler:



The thing that I love about this system is that it's nearly silent. I've got extra resistors on the fans to spin them down (the case has a tremendous amount of vending). I'm also using 2.5" disks mounted on plates (the MonCaso 932 can mount 4x 3.5" disks), they are only audible when working hard. I've considered suspending them but am not at that point yet.

Now, if I can just figure out how to make the Bluray player silent. With a data disk in there, it's really loud. With a movie disk in, it's quiet, but not silent.


HTPC:

• MonCaso 932 case
• CPU: Intel Q6600 G0
• Mobo: Zotac GeForce 9300-ITX Wifi R4 (mini-itx format)
• RAM: 4GB
• Disk: 4 x 300GB 2.5" HDD
• Bluray: LG Super Multi CH08
• PSU: Coolermaster 700W (130 mm fan)

TV: Sony something or other that I want to replace with something newer.
DVD: Harmon Kardon DVD22 (which just died this weekend) :P
AMP: Denon 2809CI
iPod Dock: Denon (model unknown; too lazy to look)
Speakers:

• Front: B&W 683
• Center: B&W HTM62
• Rear: B&W 685
• Sub: ASW 610XP

Hi dfidler, that's a really nice case.

I've thought about using a case with a built-in LCD screen too. How well/useful is it in real life?

And does it tie up one of your video outputs? I really use up 2 outputs (TV + projector).

The summary is that I use it for almost nothing. In fact, I've turned the whole system clockwise by 90 degrees because and covered the LCD because it's a giant flashing "push me and wreak havoc" sign to my 15mo daughter.

The other problem is the software. I haven't yet found any combination that I really like. There's nothing out there that plays mp3 + avi + bluray (bluray is the big issue). So you have to use external programs which kind of breaks the integrated UI (the moncaso comes with iMon + iMedianHD; which is actually a really good package as the remote integrates well with the control GUI).

I eventually gave up on tv too, in favour of sky+HD; less hassle and I bought an ipod dock for mp3s. The HTPC uses about 50W when playing mp3s which is alot more than the ipod dock.

In the end, I'd get a lot more value from the system if I had more time to play with it. But I don't anymore; the job takes most of my time and the daughter takes whatever is left.


It does, yes, and two usb headers (touch screen + front usb port + built in card reader). But if it's something that you want, don't let that stop you. Installing a low end PCI card will solve that easily enough (max resolution is 1024x768@56Hz, but they recommend 800x600@60Hz). It only accepts a dsub (you can use a dsub to dvi adaptor) plug.

This is my new i3 system.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/25046782@N07/4535269845/



Intel Core i3-530 on an Asus P7H55D-M EVO motherboard with 4GB RAM and using the onboard graphics. It plays Blu-ray discs, HDTV (ClearQAM HDHomerun), HD MKVs, and everything else. I use a Silverstone GD02 case with a Lite-On iHOS 104 BD player and a single 750 GB WD "Green" drive. Windows 7 (32) for the OS. Media Browser for videos, TMT3 for BD playback, and mcShoutcast for Internet music. I keep my video collection on multiple 1TB drives that I plug in to the SATA dock as needed.

The i3 is simply the best solution for a HTPC ever!

Sorry some of the pics stink, but I had to use the phone because my camera is broke:

Current home theater cabinet


Old pic, but shows the theater itself (equipment in cabinet is not current)


Since this is a HTPC thread, here is the HTPC with media storage EHDD


I went with the a Mac Mini (2.66Ghz core duo, 4G RAM, 9400 Nvidia GPU chipset, 320G HDD). I'm using a Seagate FreeAgent desktop EHDD for store media. it's formatted in FAT32 since I also play (and want to maintain) media on the PS3. I use a Logitech DiNovo Mini for the input peripheral to the HTPC.

The other equipment is a Denon3805 receiver, Klipsch Legend and Synergy series, a SVS PB 12 Ultra/2, Zaktor component video/toslink audio switcher, Monster Power power conditioner, and a Mitsubishi Diamond series WS55895 HDTV.

My setup is a mix of new and older tech. If you want to read on putting in the Mac HTPC, I have another thread at PreGameLobby.com

Intel Core i3-530@ 2.93GHz (Dynatron K199 CPU cooler)
Asus P7H55D-M EVO motherboard
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series, 4GB(2x2GB) DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) CORSAIR CMPSU-400CX 400W Power Supply
Lite-On iHOS 104 Blu-ray drive
WD 750GB “Green” hard drive (plus 6 more 1TB drives for media storage)
HDHomerun (ClearQAM)
Silverstone GD02 HTPC case
Gyration GYR3101US remote
Sony STR-DA1000ES
JBL Northridge EC Series speakers (5.1)
Sony Bravia KDL46WL140 (on a BDI Vista 9220 TV Stand)

Running Windows 7 Media Center, Media Browser, and mcShoutcast.

Mine.


Thermaltake DH103
Asus P7P55D-E Deluxe
I7-860
Powercolor ATI 5750
Intel X25-M
LG HD/Bluray Drive
(5) WD & Seagate Hard drives
Corsair XMS3 4gig
Enermax MODU82+
Cooler Master 212 Hyper CPU Cooler
(2) Scythe S-Flex Case Fans
HD Homerun
On Order: Ceton CC Tuner
Logitech DiNovo Edge Keyboard

Home Built Windows Home Server

Mitsubishi 65" DLP
Onkyo TX-NR 807
PS3
Paradigm Monitor 11 Series 5.1
Comcast Cable
Harmony One Remote

Hey Scott, how have you got that center channel mounted? It looks like it's sitting on a stand but I can't be sure from the image. I'm having problems finding a good home or my center channel and would love to do the same as you have.

It is a wall mount for a TV kinda like this.



It is modified and installed upside down, this hides the vertical leg behind the TV. The center channel speaker is huge, you cannot tell how big it is by the photo. The bracket supports it very well, but I was worried at first. After looking at this photo I realized the CC wasn't exactly level, that has been fixed

No kidding; that's a 65" screen. And I thought MY centre speaker was big and heavy (Cerwin Vega). That stand would be perfect for me, except my 61" screen is now in front of a window. Hmmm, if that arm were just a little longer it could work. Anyway, pics of my new setup coming soon.

Scott, thanks for that. I was really hoping it was a stand though as I'm renting and have to pay an insane amount of money for every hole that I put in the walls. Ah well, the search continues.

Yeah it is big, I thought my Klipsch was huge until now. Maybe glue the bracket to the window? jk




Welcome.

that center channel has more speakers than your front towers, LOL. I though mine was big too, Klipsch C10 which has two 8" woofers and a tweeter horn, and weighs like 20lbs, LOL.

As for the center channel speaker stand, I wouldn't be so hot on it because you're looking a stand to be around five to six feet in height. Not very stable. What you could try is a shelf, yes you will need to drill some holes, but if you learn how to patch them, you may not have to pay. Otherwise, put the speaker under the TV in the stands shelf if possible.

20lbs, that is sleepy! jk The Paradigm is 61lbs and 39" wide

Here is my old Klipsch Epics. I thought my old center was big, it had two 8".


The New Paradigm's

Here is my Media Center setup. There is a link to my setup in my signature if you want more information.

This is my living room view from my couch. I have an open floor plan so there is a wall to the right with a 4' opening and the left is completely open to the dining room/kitchen area.



Next is an image of my laundry room with my HTPC (a Dell XPS 420 with dual TV tuners) along with my Xbox 360 extenders. These extenders are fed to different locations throughout the house using HDMI extenders that carry the IR signal as well.



This is a close up where you can see the extenders with their extra cooling fans as well as the HDMI extenders. I built the shelf so that I could eventually add another extender in there, however I think I'm going to wait until I hear the announcement from E3 about a new console revision.



Like I said.. there are more pictures at the link below, like my outdoor speakers, my garage setup, etc. I just recently started it, and as always, it's a work in progress.. I thought maybe someone would benefit from my info. PM me if you have any questions.

-Jonathan

Here is a picture of my setup....




Here is a breakdown of my components....



Here are the specs for my HTPC...