[tokyo]

I purchased Sanyo Z2 projector last month and would like to use the DVI input of the pj for better pq. I've tested $200 range dvi capable dvd players but, because of glitches I prefer to move to HTPC.

I have a PC with the following specification. Please give me recommendations and tips in to upgrading this PC for HTPC usage.


CPU: Athlon XP2500

Memory: PC2100 256MB

MB: WinFast K7NCR18G-ProII

Geforce4 MX graphics

Built-in hardware Dolby Digital (AC3)

SPDIF output

DVD: Combo Lite-on LTC-4816H

HDD: 80GB Seagate ST380011A


AV system:

Yamaha RX-V450 A/V receiver

Denon 5.1ch speaker set

Sanyo Z2 projector

80-inch white matte screen (1.0 gain)


1. What is the recommended video card to maximize the Z2 dvi input? (I have read that Radeon 9600 runs smoothly having 1280x720 resolution).


2. Do I need additional sound card to attain better 5.1ch sound through my Yamaha A/V receiver?


3. I'm planning to buy internal recordable DVD drive. So, what is the recommended DVD drive for HTPC purpose?


4. Any suggestions and recommendations regarding this upgrade will be grately appreciated.


Thanks.

 

[mpgxsvcd]

I actually use a pretty similar system with outstanding results. I have an HP A430n which is an Athlon 3200+ @ 2.2 Ghz. I was running 1280x720 to my Sony 50†GWIII LCD tv but I have moved on to bigger and better. I now use the 1776x1000 resolution because it just looks fantastic. I use ffdshow to resize to 1776x1000 but my poor little Athlon is maxed out at that resolution. Your computer might not be able to handle ffdshow and it won’t play the 1080p wmvhd videos. You need the Athlon 3200+ as a bare minimum for an HTPC. It is much better to have a P4 or an Athlon 64 but those are so darn expensive compared to the old Athlon computers. For example, here is what my computer has cost me.


1. HP A430n Athlon 3200+ $441 refurbished (This is the whole computer with a 4x DVD burner, an 8x AGP slot, 512 megs of ram, and a 160 Gig Hard Drive. I got a great deal on this.

2. Creative Audigy Sound Blaster II NX external USB audio device. $100. This gives me optical out and 5.1 analog output for the WMVHDs

3. ATI Radeon 9800pro $200 from Best Buy. There are cheaper cards that will work but the 9800pro is about the only one that will allow me to run the 1080p WMV videos on my old Athlon.

4. ATI HDTV wonder $200. Allows me to watch over the air HD TV through my computer on My TV. I get about 20 stations total and 6 of them are true HD channels. The quality of the computer picture is even better than my HD cable box and the HDTV can even record the HD channels with the Dolby Digital audio.


All this for $941 is not too bad. You can do it for much cheaper if you only want it to play regular DVDs. Just upgrade to at least a 3200+ Athlon and get the best video card you can afford. You can probably do it for about the same price as one of the upconverting DVD players.

 

[cyberbri]

I'm using a $100 nVidia GeForce 5200 Ultra 128MB, on a P4 2.8GHz w/ 512RAM.


For DVDs, the newer SSE2 versions of ffdshow are very fast, and you'll need a hyperthreading-capable processor (like P4 - not sure about AMD).


I'd suggest 2.4-2.8GHz with 512 RAM and a decent card with DVI-out. Most people seem to use ATI, and I'm doing fine with my nVidia.


Check out this thread to see what kinds of systems and settings other people are using:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showt...hreadid=447500

 

[tokyo]

mpgxsvcd & cyberbri,


Thanks for your input regarding upgrading to HTPC.

1. With regards to the CPU, it seems that my Athlon XP 2500 is not enough for maximum HTPC usage. Well, CPU replacement is on my last list. So, if after an initial upgrade and I find out that this CPU is not enough I might consider upgrading to much faster grade.


2. I'll upgrade my 256mb memory to 512mb.


3. Video card: I read the thread and made some search. It seems that ATI 9800 is better tuned for HTPC. I'm looking into purchasing this card.


4. Sound card: before upgrading I'll check the performance of the in-board AC3 (Dolby Digital) in my m/b. I'm not really familiar with sound so, I don't know which minimum spec. I should have to have a good home theater.


Lastly, with further reading & base on your input, upgrading my PC is a wise decision (PQ & cost) as compared to buying an upconvert dvd player.


By the way, I'll be setting up this PC in another room so, cables will run around 5 to 7 meters. And I don't need quiet parts because it's isolated. Furthermore, this HTPC is intended only for movie viewing (DVD). Likewise, aside from HTPC usage it will be use for general purpose (web browing, e-mail and chat).