Guide to Building a HTPC, Workstation and Server - Page 607

Both intel HD and ATI HD 5570. I had been using the HD 5570 without problems for about 16 months and then maybe last 2 months I started losing the HD audio. Could usually toggle and get it back - sometimes I wouldn't lose it but it would just be like an occasional crackle. It kept getting worse - I originally thought it was a network issue on WHS original version, but last couple of days I have tried playing on local drive as well as the disc itself and still having the same problem. I then did a clean install of win 7 ultimate x64 with just minimal drivers and with the 5570 still had the problem so then I uninstalled 5570, cleaned all ATI drivers and installed intel drivers. With intel TMT5 will play for aprox. 20 minutes and then it loses audio and crashes/locks up the computer to the point that it will go all black and then back to the desktop, but never able to get it to come back so reboot. With TMT3 intel will just start playing HD audio and then within a minute it just starts crackling and lights on Denon start blinking. I have switch HDMI cables without any changes. I own PDVD10 but it isn't loaded, and have not tried MPC-HC yet. I will test later today with PDVD and MPC-HC but I am not hopeful at this point.

Could you point me to a guide for bitstreaming setup of MPC-HC please?

^^
So I tested with the trial of PDVD11 and intel with same results the HD audio will play for maybe 5 to 10 minutes into the movie and then it is gone and will not come back. I can toggle the audio to Dolby Digital and the audio comes back and will play fine, but HD audio does not come back if I toggle back to it - no sound except an occasional crackle. If I leave it running with the blank audio eventually it crashes and I lose everything.

Ok that was the plan already, I already use EaseUS so I will make a 10 gb on my 80gb ssd and start over again. I really think it is hardware related since intel gpu worked fine back when I first built it 18 months ago. I wanted 23.976 refresh rate so I installed the ati 5570 about 16 months ago and everything was good until maybe 2 months ago I started having issues with the hd audio, but usually would come back. Then a couple of weeks ago it was just really bad. I messed with it for a week and then did a clean install and installed only ati drivers along with nic driver, tmt5 and tmt3. Still had problems so thought it was the ati card so I removed card, removed all ati drivers and installed intel drivers. Still problems. Then installed pdvd 11 and still problems. Makes me think I should buy new mobo or maybe a newer CPU and mobo combo of course then I would probably need newer ram.

This sounds more like a hardware issue (heat related maybe?) than anything else but I am not sure from your posts that you know from where. Sounds like you are focused on the htpc but have you eliminated other options?

You said you switched cables. How were they verified as working before the test was done? Can you swap out the htpc for a blu-ray player or ps3/xbox to see what happens. Have you tried different inputs on the AVR? Can you feed your htpc directly to the tv to eliminate the AVR as the source of the problem?

I would expect driver issues to be constant. Either they would work or not but not work for 20 mins then stop working. That said, what shows up in your pc logs when the sparklers hit? Hardware/software failures should show up here.

For AI driver issues in the past I have used Drive Sweeper to clean up old drivers that were preventing CCC from updating on my win7 box.

Well it isn't anything to do with the rest of my system as it hasn't changed in over a year and there are no issues playing BD or SD movies with my oppo BDP-80. I have the HTPC out of the rack sitting on the floor as I test. Heat in the HTPC is usually around 42 C when playing movies. The source of the problem is the the HTPC, I have actually plugged the HTPC into my daughters system with same results. I have pretty much eliminated the drivers as an issue and since the issues follows the HTPC I have to believe it is HTPC hardware related and there isn't much there (mobo, Intel i3-530 CPU, 4GB RAM, 400W PSU) I am not an expert here but I don't think the RAM or the PSU is the problem and so it is either the mobo or the CPU at least in my mind. But I am still going to do a few more tests as I noted in previous post just to be absolutely sure.

Hi, I was just wondering if the HD 6450 is as capable as, say, the HD 6670 in terms of HTPC playback (no gaming whatsoever). I'm looking for the best playback quality but trying to keep heat and noise to a minimum (passive version probably). but the video playback quality is the most important factor....

ideas? Recommendations?

Thanks renethx. That explains why you recommend it. It seems the mid-range cards seem to be the best bet usually.

I'd like to switch from my microATX size case to miniITX. I have a 2500k, 1 HDD, 1 SDD, no GPU and no other add on cards.
Is it possible/worthwhile to switch to a picoPSU? Or does my system draw too much power? Can someone recommend one? I don't know a whole lot about picoPSUs... I would like to have a little headroom in case I ever want to add a GPU...
I am currently looking at this MB: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157268
Thanks,
John

Thanks! I realized a picoPSU was going to be a $50 cost and leave a hole in my case...
At this point I am looking at the SILVERSTONE Sugo SG05-B with the included SFX 300W 80Plus PSU pared with the ASRock H67M-ITX. It is not Z68 to take full advantage of my 2500k, but the Z68 offerings in Mini-ITX are limited and costly...

My final issue is to figure out a slim DVD drive (mostly ripping, rarely burning, I don't have blurays at this point) and any sata to micro sata adapter...
I see you recommended the Sony Optiarc AD-7700S last year. It looks like the Optiarc AD-7690H-01 is the current model.
As far as a DVD Writer:
1). Should I just go for the 7690?
1a). Is this the right MicroSATA to SATA adapter?
2). The slim drives are slow, maybe I should get an external usb full size dvd drive. Which one would you recommend?
2a). Would this cause issues trying to install W7 via usb?
Thanks again!
John

Thanks for the pointers.
Although I posted in an htpc thread, I am actually using this as a PC and server for my boxee box (hardwired). Playback of vobs is a little choppy. Do you think I will be able to appreciate the increased performance with the z68 + 2133? I already have 1x 4gb of 1600.

Hello Everyone!

I want to build HTPC for 1080p HD video, internet, etc.
Here 2 configuration to choose:

AMD A6 3650 + Asus F1A75-M PRO = 149.00
Intel i3 2100 + ASUS P8Z68-V LE = 260.00

I think to go with AMD! Any suggestions?

At those prices AMD wins. Buy a memory at 1600MHz and you can even play low resolution.

If you found the A8 3600 would be perfect, less consumption and more powerful graphics.

You are right! But bundle on sale only with A6 3650
I can buy A6 3600 or A8 3800 but for regular prices

Then the decision is easy, go for the A6 3650

Hi Renethx,

Can the i3-2105 (using i-gpu) operate mpc-hc and xbmc without issues?

Regards

I'm not so worried about 24hz playback if that's what you mean. I often try it and end up settling on the TV being set at 60Hz anyway (smooth enough for me).
What would you consider to be an adequate system for xbmc usage?

Regards
mark.

First, I have tried searching on keywords and downloaded the entire thread as text but could not get the answer I am looking for, hence, this post.

I am currently running i3 2100 on an ASRock h67 board with 4gb ddr3 1333 memory that works well. However, I recently got a LG 55lw5600 tv, and the motion blur and noise in simple movement is killing me. My previous tv was a 46 inch pure lcd and do not recall seeing so much noise/blur on it. I have taken the recorded show samples to BBuy and found both panasonic plasma and samsung's 7000/8000 series tvs have same issue. Please also note that my cable company prides on minimal compression of signal and I have already tinkered with tru/smooth motion etc that comes with the tv.

So here are my questions:

--Will a gpu upgrade to ati 6570 do me much good? Tried gt430 and did not see much improvement.

--I have always used win7 to record my shows. Is there now a better method that produces better results? In other words, is there now a better replacement of windows 7 media center w/o going the linux route? Googling mpc-hc, madVR etc as we speak, however, cannot figure out whether they allow using remote for viewing or require a mouse/keyboard.


Thanks.

Hey guys,

I'm looking for a internal Combo BD drive to install in my older Dell Dimension Pentium 8400. It will be used primarily for ripping my collection to HD. I will playback from HD disk via my media player. I will use AnyDVD or DVDFab.

Which drive is the better performing one these days? What speed is the most common for BD reads? And, what can I expect to pay?

Do I need to be concerned that my PC is not HCP compatible?

Thanks in advance

LiteOn or Asus are both good.

NewEgg has a great price on both.

If you want a reader only... BR I would get the Asus.

The Liteon Burner is only a little more after rebate if you need to burn blurays too

Thanks so 12x is the going speed?

Yes but the drive speed claimed does not always equal the real world performance.

But- I would suffice to say a faster rated drive should be faster than a lower speed rated drive.

There is also single and dual layer read speeds.. they are also different.

Don't confuse yourself too much ...

I would get the 12X reader or the 8Xburner... (8x burner actually reads dual layer faster even though it rated a bit slower for single layer)


You realistically won't notice much difference in real world so just decide if you want to spend a little more for a burner or not.

Personally I won't burn- so I got the ASUS 12X for $57

read this:

http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1383175

I agree on not burning. Saving to HD makes more sense considering the cost of HD these days. I will read through the thread. Thanks again for your help.

hard drives have increased in price 200% in last 6 months