Quote:
Originally Posted by Vocalpoint /forum/post/20797932
Having finally reached the end of my rope with my useless WDTV Live...I am now seriously considering going down the HTPC route and using J. River Media Center on the front end. I am looking for recommendations on parts from a "today" perspective.
Comments here (AVS) on JRMC have impressed me (but haven't used it myself), but from what I've seen I'd not have a qualm with *me* paying money for it for myself. Only adding that I'm unlikely to do that anytime soon.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vocalpoint /forum/post/20797932
Couple of key requirements include:
1. Small form factor - probably a miniATX so I can really stash this thing out of the way.
The whole trade-off(s) of mini-ATX case vs mid-tower ATX case is hugely misunderstood. More below.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vocalpoint /forum/post/20797932
2. Quietest case I can possibly get. Goes without saying for a theater setting.
Quietest case is an 8" wide mid-tower case because you can use mainly (only?) 120/140mm fans which are MUCH quieter than 80/92mm fans .
An 8" wide case also allows you to use either of the two best value and quiet cpu heatsinks: Cooler Master Hyper 212+ (approx $30 amazon) or Noctua NH-U12P (approx $65 amazon when their 3rd party dealers offer it; includes extras of 2 outstanding 120mm fluid dynamic bearing fans, 4 zener diodes for reduced voltage from normal 12V fan voltage to reduce fan noise).
OTOH, if you stash the PC in a remote place, then a quiet case is less (or even not) an issue. But you have to keep in mind that things change and equipment locations also change, so to my mind the safer long term bet is a mid-tower case with 120/140mm fans.
But if you do stash the PC in a remote place, I'd think that perhaps case size is a non issue?
Not to mention that a full ATX mobo gives you more options with add on adapters like ATSC tuner for capturing OTA digital TV shows, and others like soundboards (although some current mobo's have really good on board sound included that IMO rivals even the best soundboards).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vocalpoint /forum/post/20797932
3. No optical drive...this will be streaming everything from the network.
That's likely a mistake. I can see ditching 3.5" floppy drive, but not an optical drive, at least not just yet.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vocalpoint /forum/post/20797932
4. Must be capable of full HD resolution with HDMI 1.3+ compatibility (to be connected to a 2010 Pioneer VSX-23THX HT receiver)
Can't help you with HD video, if that's what you mean above.
There's two other things worth considering: cpu choice and what to do for video, and the two are closely intertwined for HTPC use.
For cpu I personally think that AMD continues to be the better value now and in the next year, but odds are that the large majority here will shout that down in favor of Intel.
For video the question is whether or not to either 1) buy a mobo that has on-board graphics or 2) to buy a cpu that has integrated graphics (such as the new AMD Llano integrated chips). For this I can't help you as I continue to prefer having a separate video board.
