HTPC show and tell

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#136774 9-Jun-2008 20:03

davidcole: one thing I've noticed, is not many wall mount systems shown. Is that because it's an unpopular option, or is it because most people are in existing homes (read = older) and don't want to punch holes in the walls. Whereas newer homes sometime have a wall mount area for a tv, with plug plates for your cables.

i rent, so not my walls to hack into :)

insane

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#136797 9-Jun-2008 21:44

It would be nice is some of you guys (ones with the retty pictures) could post how much $$ you had to splash out. I'm not wanting to turn this into a I spent more than you kind of thing, but just am interested in how much the average cost is to create a really stylish setup? thanks

Disrespective

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#136806 9-Jun-2008 22:19

Bearing in mind that these prices are up to 6 months old:

TV ~$3k
HTPC ~$1200 including TV cards, Harmony remote e.t.c. If you want a better run down of hardware just ask.
Marantz SR5002 Amp $1k (got a good deal ;) )
Sony speaker system ~$200 (good second hand 5.1 system from a mate but really need to move up in the world before they die)
Xbox and a bunch of bits ~$Probably too much but it's good fun
Wii with some extras ~$Again, probably too much but it keeps me from being bored.

Planned upgrades:
New speakers
Nice cabinet for everything

It's an addiction.

gehenna

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#136813 9-Jun-2008 22:46

Disrespective:

It's an addiction.

that's the truth right there!

hmsmale

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#137118 10-Jun-2008 19:13

OK, Just new to geekzone today and am in no way a geek when it comes to computers. I'll explain why, decided after convencing my partner that our Rhapsody Media Player wasnt cutting it anymore to build a HTPC. So did the research for about two months and then started sorcing the gear. (a big thanks to all those on geekzone that helpe me in this by way of posts).
This is what I put together with a littl help from the boys a PC Gear in Dunedin.

Case: Thermaltake Mozart (got it without media support)
CPU: Quad Core 204GHZ Phenom
RAM: Corsair DDR2 4GB
Motherboard: Gigbyte GA-MA78GM-S2H
HDD: 3 x 500GB Segate 1 x 750GB Seagate
Tuner: Hauppauge Nova T 500
Sound Card: Azen Tech Xplosion
TV: Sony 40inch
AMP:P ioneer with sony speakers

Now I must admit I dont know much about the gear I have put in my system but read good reviews on all. Now I am in the process of putting all this gear to the use it deserves. Am after some ideas of what would increase my pleasure in the use of this. I currently have Vista Home Premium, PowerCinema and Power DVD Ultra 8.

Your thoughst would be appreciated as I am truely a wannabeeeeeeeeeeeee geek

rhysb

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#137341 11-Jun-2008 14:20

insane: It would be nice is some of you guys (ones with the retty pictures) could post how much $$ you had to splash out.

Probably about ~$12k or so wholesale. Would probably be looking at ~$17k retail.

Rollux

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#137863 13-Jun-2008 18:41

Just thought I'd add my 2 cents - yet to get a nice case, but i don't see it so it's not a priority (will change when we buy another house tho and wall mount the TV and wife gets her way)

As you can see, at the moment the case is behind the TV, so not visible really. But wife is wanting a new cabinet setup, and then the PC to look nice, and to ditch the "ugly" Sony Monsta system for a nice rack setup that looks "stylish". I prefer function over form, and would rather spend the $2k or so on my rally car, but nevermind...

Lounge:
WIN7 HOME x64 HTPC - E6420 2.13Ghz - 4Gb 800MHZ PATRIOT RAM - ASUS HD5670 1GB
ASUS P5B-VM MOBO - LG BLU-RAY DRIVE - BG3595 TUNER - 1.5TB STORAGE
PANASONIC 42" FULL HD PLASMA - PIONEER VSX1019AHK RECEIVER - WHARFDALE DIAMOND 10 SPEAKERS

Man Cave:
XBOX 360 MODERN WARFARE 2 EDITION - PANASONIC 37" PLASMA - SONY MONSTA 5.1 SURROUND SYSTEM

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Free kids accounts - trade shares and funds (NZ, US) with Sharesies (affiliate link).

gehenna

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#137866 13-Jun-2008 18:49

I like that case of yours, would make a nice Windows Home Server box!

Etacovda

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#137927 14-Jun-2008 08:05

hmsmale: OK, Just new to geekzone today and am in no way a geek when it comes to computers. I'll explain why, decided after convencing my partner that our Rhapsody Media Player wasnt cutting it anymore to build a HTPC. So did the research for about two months and then started sorcing the gear. (a big thanks to all those on geekzone that helpe me in this by way of posts).
This is what I put together with a littl help from the boys a PC Gear in Dunedin.

Case: Thermaltake Mozart (got it without media support)
CPU: Quad Core 204GHZ Phenom
RAM: Corsair DDR2 4GB
Motherboard: Gigbyte GA-MA78GM-S2H
HDD: 3 x 500GB Segate 1 x 750GB Seagate
Tuner: Hauppauge Nova T 500
Sound Card: Azen Tech Xplosion
TV: Sony 40inch
AMP:P ioneer with sony speakers

Now I must admit I dont know much about the gear I have put in my system but read good reviews on all. Now I am in the process of putting all this gear to the use it deserves. Am after some ideas of what would increase my pleasure in the use of this. I currently have Vista Home Premium, PowerCinema and Power DVD Ultra 8.

Your thoughst would be appreciated as I am truely a wannabeeeeeeeeeeeee geek

far out, i hope you game on that thing as well, thats the definition of overkill. My gaming pc is barely even half that powerful and my htpc is just a 3000+a64!

stubacca

7 posts

Wannabe Geek

#139184 19-Jun-2008 14:38

hmsmale: OK, Just new to geekzone today and am in no way a geek when it comes to computers. I'll explain why, decided after convencing my partner that our Rhapsody Media Player wasnt cutting it anymore to build a HTPC. So did the research for about two months and then started sorcing the gear. (a big thanks to all those on geekzone that helpe me in this by way of posts).
This is what I put together with a littl help from the boys a PC Gear in Dunedin.

Case: Thermaltake Mozart (got it without media support)
CPU: Quad Core 204GHZ Phenom
RAM: Corsair DDR2 4GB
Motherboard: Gigbyte GA-MA78GM-S2H
HDD: 3 x 500GB Segate 1 x 750GB Seagate
Tuner: Hauppauge Nova T 500
Sound Card: Azen Tech Xplosion
TV: Sony 40inch
AMP:P ioneer with sony speakers

Now I must admit I dont know much about the gear I have put in my system but read good reviews on all. Now I am in the process of putting all this gear to the use it deserves. Am after some ideas of what would increase my pleasure in the use of this. I currently have Vista Home Premium, PowerCinema and Power DVD Ultra 8.

Your thoughst would be appreciated as I am truely a wannabeeeeeeeeeeeee geek

4gig of ram o_O? over 2TB's of space? your Mobo has onboard sound, so how come you're getting another sound card :P?
I would cut down to 2gig of ram and maybe drop down to 500gig/1TB of space. I would even say drop the quad core and get a 5200 due core. Which would be more than enough power. youll also want a DVD drive? could help in installing stuff ^_^

Samsung over Sony aswell :P

rhysb

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#139266 19-Jun-2008 22:08

Woah, bad advice. With ram so cheap it makes good sense to put as much ram as you can in a machine. Not to mention that Vista is able to make good use of any extra ram. Same goes for processor and hard drive space. The only thing I would suggest is go for fewer, larger drives. It will cost a bit more $/mb but will bequiter and cooler.

By the way the Nova T 500 is a dual tuner card.

stubacca

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Wannabe Geek

#139278 20-Jun-2008 00:10

rhysb: Woah, bad advice. With ram so cheap it makes good sense to put as much ram as you can in a machine. Not to mention that Vista is able to make good use of any extra ram. Same goes for processor and hard drive space. The only thing I would suggest is go for fewer, larger drives. It will cost a bit more $/mb but will bequiter and cooler.

By the way the Nova T 500 is a dual tuner card.

ops yeah looks like the card is dual :O! may bad. As for memory sure windows would use it (tho you'll need vista 64bit to see the full 4gig). Ive got a 4800amd 2gig ram same mobo and have no problems with blu ray full 1080p and ditto with tv channels~. The stuff you have will work fine, but if you're looking for a cheaper solution thats what i would recommend.

1gkar

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Ultimate Geek

#140957 27-Jun-2008 18:10

IF you're NOT gaming on this rig, change down to an e8*** CPU (I'm using an E4600) & throw the extra $s into a Blu-ray drive. The LG seems a pretty good choice (not from first hand experience).

http://www.pricespy.co.nz/pno_12375.html

You'll also get free PowerDVD codecs for use with FreeviewHD.

Silverstone LC14 HTPC Case/Intel E4600 CPU/GA-EP35-DS3 MOBO/Asus EN9500GT graphics/2GB RAM/total 2TB HDD space/HVR-2200 & 2X 150MCE tuner cards/LG GGC-H20L BD Drive/MCE2005/Mediaportal/TVServer 1.1.0Final/LG 55"3D LED-TV/Denon AVR-1803 receiver/X1 projector

Vorbis

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#141005 27-Jun-2008 22:06

It always seems so tempting to build a system that's total overkill for a htpc. My first build was an e8200, 8800gt, 3gigs ram etc. Now I'm running an athlon 4200 with onboard gfx and 2 gigs of ram. Same results, half the cost :)

kiwijunglist

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#142025 1-Jul-2008 20:30

My setup (a bit messy at the moment, but it always is so that's a poor excuse!)

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

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