[james330i]

hey guys


I know there are prolly enough posts like these, but I need some opinions before I jump the gun.


The HTPC will primarily be used for surifing the internet on the Pioneer Elite HDTV RPTV and as a TIVO recorder. Not too worried about DVD playback as I already have a nice set-top DVD player.


anyway, the case is a silverstone desktop case.

Processor and MB is an

Intel D865PERLX i865PE

Intel Pentium 4/ 2.8 Ghz 800mhz HT


120GB samsung Hard drive

NEC 8x DVD +-RW

1 GB Mushkin PC3200 DDR RaM


Vid card

ATI AIW 9600 Vid card

ATI DVI to component adapter


Sound card

M-audio sound card 7.1


So, this is about the maximum my budget will allow. Are there other alterntiaves I need to check out before taking the plunge?


Thanks!

 

[travanx]

i just built the almost exact same thing. i am waiting still on the m-audio card though, hopefully soon. I put this into a Ahanix D.Vine5 case. I also am waiting on a silenx 300watt PSU for the case. And I have the ati dvi adapter plugged into a 9800pro.


I got a pioneer drive over the NEC.

 

[gnunn]

Save some bucks on the 1GB and just get 512MB unless you have a specific need on that much memory. I would also look at getting a hardware encoding card like the Hauppauge Win-250-PVR instead of the AIW and replace the AIW with a non-AIW ATI variant. If you look at most of the PVR software packages out there (SageTV, MythTV, etc) they require a hardware based board. The 250-PVR is pretty much a reference card for PVR packages and all the vendors support it.


Gerald

 

[madpoet]

I agree on a 250 vs. a AIW. As for the RAM, if you plan on scaling with FFDShow it does like to have nice fast RAM, and plenty of it.

 

[james330i]

thanx for the replies guys.


the 9600aiw does not have DVI so i will have to get something else. The 9800AIW is too much, so I will prolly go with the sepearat vid card + happuage TV tuner route!

 

[Shawn O]

Quote:

M-audio sound card 7.1

Take a look at the Prodigy 7.1 threads on this forum.They say that the driversupport is much beter.

 

[jmb295]

One suggestion on for your HD. Have you considered a smaller drive just for your OS and applications? I use a 40GB 7200 drive for that, and then have 120 GB Media drive that is used for only for TV & DVD. Easy to back up the OS drive, and upgrade to a larger media drive in the future. You can almost always find smaller drives on sale for a great price, and that would allow you to use a 5400 RPM drive for media. The 5400's are cheaper, quiter, and produce less heat which is a factor in a HTPC.


Oh, and if you have a HD set you might want to consider something like the myHD card. Being able to record HD programs is a blessing, even if it is only for OTA networks!


Just some things to consider, and good luck!

 

[wpiman]

I am going to build a HTPC soon as well and was thinking along the lines of the original poster.


I have a Panasonic CT36HL43 HDTV. It has a DVI connector in the back as well- which is why the ATI 9800 card stuck out at me as well. My tv manual says that the DVI input is not meant for a PC. I have also read things that say that some TVs have problem with PC inputs. Can anyone comment more on the issue?


I was looking at the hauppage 250 card and also the 350. My understanding is that the 350 does the decode as well and has a video out. However, this would just be for video. If I wanted to web browse- no luck.


What about the new X800 series from ATI? Those do some acceleration- but not quite the full function as the Hauppage 250/350- correct?


I guess- right now my baseline is a P4 with an ATI 9800 Pro (assuming the DVI will work) and a win350. This might be overkill- but at least a good wish list.


What about HDTV as well? I'd like to grab some OTA HD signals- would I need a separate card?


Do they make any quiet DVD players/burners?

 

[Hawkson]

You only need to have a quiet DVD player/burner when the computer is playing a DVD. To minimize sound on any DVD player(even the super loud 8x ones) get the software that makes your DVD player spin 1x speed.

Forgot what it is called, but do a search and you will find it(or just check the apps page)

DVD players are all the same nowadays

 

[wpiman]

Oh- that is cool. Didn't realize that existed....


Is the Hauppage 350 a better deal than a 250 or show I do a 250? DVI with a TV from a ATI AIW 9800 work?

 

[The_smokester]

I am inexperienced but just wondering...if you use a stand-alone surround sound processor you could order the Intel D865PERLK mobo instead of the ...X model. This has RCA and toslink SPDIF audio out which would go directly to the processor. It also has other sound out connections. This might eliminate the need for a separate sound card.