Guide to Building a HTPC, Workstation and Server - Page 473

Hi All,

Hopefully somebody can help me with my dual screen setup.

First of all, I have a Sapphire 5670 with HDMI/DVI/DisplayPort.

I have a my main screen (Panny 50" plasma) and a newly purchased Acer T230H 23" touchscreen montior. The goal is to watch Movies and TV on the big screen (while the touchscreen is OFF) and use the touchscreen (periodically) to navigate through my flac library and play music (when the plasma is OFF). I currently have my system setup with the HDMI from the 5670 to my AVR and the DVI from the 5670 to my touchscreen. The HDMI output of the AVR goes to the plasma. In the display properties, I have the option of using either monitor as the "primary" output, duplicate both displays or extended the displays. Currently, I have the two duplicated, but the audio shuts off when I turn off the plasma (with the touchscreen ON) while listening to music. The other concern with using a duplicate display setup is that both of my monitors have different native resolutions (Panny is 720 while the Acer is 1080). Ideally, I'd like to have the ability to turn off the plasma, have the Acer output at its native 1080 resolution and have seamless audible playback through my HT. Has anyone had any experience with a similar setup that might be able to extend a helping hand?

Thanks in advance.

Hello! This is my first post here and I found many useful information on this topic. I'm planning to assemble a low-power HTPC to stay in my room, connected to the receiver and plasma TV. The mais purpouses are:

• Serve as a movie center - I'll store all my movies and TV series on the device, so it will be easier to watch them on the big TV (I can do the download and/or encoding on the main computer, this unit will only be used to watch)
• Has the ability to play HD content (1080i/p, 720p)
• Play DVDs and Blue Rays that we rent

With that in mind, it seems to me that a good mini-ITX HTPC could use the new Zotac IONITX-A-U Atom N330 Dual Core. It has low power consumption and can play HD content. Do you see any disadvantage in using it?

Last but not least: I already have a 3.5 HDD 500Gb that I'll use, what case would you recomend that can fit it, having in mind that I'll also use a BD-ROM drive on it?

Thanks for the hints and great post!

Best regards,
Luis

Hi! I have a system similar to yours. My computer sits besides my plasma TV. They have different resolutions and what I did was use the EXTENDED view option, not the DUPLICATED. This way I could set individual resolution to each monitor.

The plasma is connected to the 2nd video output, with a DVI-to-HDMI adapter making it possible to connect via HDMI. Now the trick about the sound: what I did was buy a cable that connect to the TV audio input (those red and white RCA) on one side, and in the other side it was a regular stereo plug (same as used by headphones). When I want to watch movies on TV, I just connect the plug to my computer's front panel audio out. It automaticaly muted the computer speakers and transfer the sound to the TV. When I turn off the TV I just remove the plug and everything else is back to the computer.

Hope it helps you

Luis,

Thanks for the suggestion, but I think I'd prefer to keep the setup in duplicate mode if possible (I will eventually have a 1080 plasma). Like I said previously, I am trying to make this as seamless of a transition as possible. Any other ideas?

Something similar was packed with the fans. I switched to those and that fixed the problem. Thanks

Just a small quick question .

Just got my first ever HTPC and i think that it makes a bit too much noise. I figured that one of the reasons could be the processor fan/cooler. It makes huge noise and it runs over 3000 RPM, is that normal? I used speedfan to lower it to 1700, but it's frustrating to do this everytime when i start my PC.

So could you guys suggest a new and quiet fan/cooler for Athlon II X2 240e/AM3 2.80G 2MB-L2 45W? My case is ANTEC NSK1480 so only small coolers fit in there.

thanks

Here are the other components of my computer:

Nice! Huge thans for you, that helped a lot. The CPU fan is now much quieter.

Now i think that there is no need to even order that Scythe BIG Shuriken.

Hi, first post.

I have an old Gateway P3 tower that I would like to repurpose into an htpc but need some help. This set up is intended to be a stop gap for the next 1-2 years until I finish school. Once I graduate and get my own place I intend on making a top of the line model with new case and everything.

My current room lacks a coaxial connection which I why I need help setting up. There's a probability that we'll be moving soon so I don't want to bother with running wires all over the place.

After much deliberation I've realized I have three or four options. One is to build a Mac Mini theater pc (although the current one is fairly pricey even with student discount and no way to extend), to build my own (most likely method), get a Dell Mini with TV tuner, or upgrade the tuner on my Dell Dimension 8400 and find some way to upgrade from MCE 04 to MCE 05. I realize that all the windows pc options require an extender of some sort, I've decided to use an xbox 360 for that.

Since I'm not interested in building the biggest fastest or best pc, I'm not sure of the components to use, hopefully my explanation of how it will be utilized will help with suggestions.

My plan is to leave the pc near a coaxial connection and rarely be used otherwise. I would like to either put a TB hd in or if space permits create a RAID (if I go this route would it be pointless to build a NAS?) I would like to store my music and blu-ray/dvd collection on the pc so I can access it from anywhere on the network. I intend for the computer to connect wirelessly so I would either prefer a wireless card for a PCi slot or a MoBo with wireless built in. Other than streaming music and videos I'd also like to occasionally watch TV (mostly sports and occasionally shows I like) through the extender.

Some of the feature I'm looking for are:
1080p TV tuner (I haven't decided if I'll just use the wall outlet or plug in the Comcast box, it depends on if channels could be changed independently)
Blu-ray reader
Wireless card
HDMI out

I plan on running Windows 7 Pro on it, I have to check to see if MSDN still offers the 64 bit although I think it does.

If it matters I currently am running a wireless g network, contemplating a switch to n, I have a PS3 and my macbook pro as well as the desktop on the network.

Three quick questions would an HDMI extender work for me? A since I'm considering a 360 does anyone have a good HDMI selector to recommend and for streaming would I need a HD with the 360?

If you have questions feel free to ask. Thanks for the help!

I have the Core i3 530 2.93GHz CPU and a GIGABYTE GA-H55M-UD2H motherboard and would appreciate some help.

My motherboards BIOS has a setting under Advanced Bios Features named, On-Chip Frame Buffer Size and is set at 64MB+2MB for GTT (default) and wondered if I could raise this to 128MB+2MB for GTT (maximum). I am thinking this could improve improve the Core i3 530’s graphics, but do not want to risk changing the default setting in case I cause some damage.

I have searched Intel’s and Gigabyte’s websites for information, but I’m unable to find anything on the On-Chip Frame Buffer Size settings, so any feedback or advice would be really appreciated.

I can't say if it will help what you want to achieve, but changing it will not cause any "damage" or harm to your system. It's just allowing you to increase how much of your base memory you want to allocate/reserve for the graphics chip...

Can someone give me some advice, I am trying to output dual display outs at the same time for a desktop monitor using DVI and a Panasonic AX200 projector using D-SUB or possibly in the future using some digital out.

My problem is that using the card I have now (nVidia 7200 GS) the screen is cropped over analogue out on the projector. No matter what I do, the screen is always cropped on the left side, I can see the right side t of "Start menu", everything left from that is cropped. I tried everything, but it's the maximum amount the projector can adjust it's clock settings. Before that card I used a Matrox G550, what did not have any such problems.

My question is that by changing the card to a Ati 4350 or 5450 and using DVI for the monitor and HDMI for the projector, would all my issues be solved? I would like to watch DVD's mostly, with clone mode, by changing the resolution for both display to 1280x1024 for normal desktop use and to 1280x720 for projector use. Would this all work ok, with DVI and HDMI simultaneously on a 4350 or 5450? Is there anything why I should buy a 5450 over a 4350, if I don't game and only watch hd videos occassionally? Sound is analogue 2.0.

Has anyone looked at the Asrock Vision 3D specs? I am tempted to wait for that instead of going through the process of building my own rig. Anybody have any thoughts (besides the "it's more fun to build your own" comment)?

Thanks for your feedback and explanation fixit100, I may give it a try then.

Hello to all. Pretty new to the forums here but been reading them for a while.

Got several HTPC questions for anyone

I am looking to set one up to burn Blu-Rays into and then stream them to my AVR. Looking to Bitstream all sound since my AVR decodes all of them. Not going to play games, do any video editing or really use for anything else. It will just be like a Movie Server, I suppose, but not planning on sharing the movies to any other TV's in the house. Was also thinking of setting up for regular TV DVR in addition to my existing DVR but not sure about this yet.

1. Which type of HTPC should I look to do for sure. Since I want to store all my blu-rays in it, will it have to be one of the server types? MicroATX vs ATX? I'm just confused here on what to look for.

2. How do HTPC's PQ compare to say good or superb BD players? Same. better. depends on the hardware?

3. From what i have seen, it appears that I should be able to use a nice dvd/blu ray 3rd party program to select and view my library, would I also be able to control it with my remote control which is a URC MX-6000?

4. From other threads, I see that there is software out there for ripping blu-rays. does it work well for ALL blu-rays, or is it ok with some and not others. In other words, would I have blu-rays that I would not be able to put on this HTPC and save to a HDD?

5. What is better at this point, a good HTPC or the Sony BDP-CX7000ES Multi-Blu Ray Player set up with a regular computer for its disc control?

These are some for now. Thanks in advance for any replies.

Anybody uses Zotac ION A-E with DVB-S2 USB tuner, f.e. TT-3600, to watch HDTV channels. Is there any problem?

Hey Renethx,

Thanks for the answers. A couple of follows then please.

Based on the above then I was thinking of doing an ATX. If needed then I could add a DAS later if need more HDD space right?

and my screen is 135" diagonal screen. That doesn't fit into the "large screen" category right?

Thanks again

Jobuu

Allright then

Sounds like an HTPC is the way to go. I'm sure I'll have more, questions etc as I put the system together. is it ok to PM you then renethx? With a donation of course. I beleive hard work deserves to be rewarded!

Thanks

Renethex, thanks for the awesome guide. Is there any NVIDIA, 3D capable (HDMI 1.4a) graphics card that would fit into the case you suggested for the Mini ATX high-end system? I still haven't heard anything from ATI regarding their cards' 3D movie capabilities.

Thanks!!

Hi Renethex, thanks for the response. Could I use the Sugo SG07 with your recommendations for the Premium Mini ATX system without the PSU since it's included in the Sugo case?

Does anyone know anything about the availbility of the ASRock H55 Extreme3 in the US.
tia

Renethx, sorry to be a pest, but is there any way I could get USB 3 into the rig you specified under the Mini-ITX gaming system?

Thanks!!

So I am in kind of a pickle because I want to build a gaming system for about $1000 with a small form factor, NVIDIA card for 3D, Blu-Ray Slot Drive, and USB 3.0. It seems like I am missing at least one of these in any combination I think of - Mini-ITX or Micro ATX. Should I just forego the USB 3 and find an eSata solution?