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#105607 18-Jan-2008 22:18

jbmoocs: What do you think of these HTPC cases? I think they are very sexy. http://www.itmighty.co.nz/mCube_515.html

Very nice...
But on the downside, the retail price for those style cases here in New Zealad is very expensive compared to others available, as I looked at those models myself.

Have a look at all the cases presented at the HTPCnz wiki, those and many many others are included with pics and specs

Follow the logo link below.

lchiu7

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#105631 19-Jan-2008 06:55

To match all the rest of the high end components in this configuration I think I would also add a Blu-Ray player to watch HD movies. No idea where you could buy one here but something like this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106225

Note that this is a reader only - not sure it's the right time to be investing in Blu-Ray writers. Also you would then want to make sure your video card supported HDCP (I think the 2600 series do, no idea which of the Nvidia range support it)

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

euanandrews

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#105663 19-Jan-2008 11:59

lchiu7: To match all the rest of the high end components in this configuration I think I would also add a Blu-Ray player to watch HD movies. No idea where you could buy one here but something like this

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106225

Note that this is a reader only - not sure it's the right time to be investing in Blu-Ray writers. Also you would then want to make sure your video card supported HDCP (I think the 2600 series do, no idea which of the Nvidia range support it)

Myself, I will be adding just a standard dvd writer for now, until the prices come down and then will upgrade.
The video card I have chosen has HDMI and supports HDCP and H.264 acceleration, as well as being silient by being water cooled.

phatbloke

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#105968 21-Jan-2008 15:19

TheBartender:
Have you checked the size of your card? I am really struggling to find dimensions on any graphics cards as they need to fit into the LC16 case.
Its one of the last things I'm about to order but can't find any site that lists card dimensions. I would still like a passive cooled 2600XT but the way things are going might get the same card that your looking at. You are pretty sure it will perform well decoding Freeview with the onboard decoder? That is the main thing I am concerned about as I have heard people confirming the 2600XT works on the NZ streams well.

euanandrews

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#106042 21-Jan-2008 23:42

phatbloke: TheBartender:
Have you checked the size of your card? I am really struggling to find dimensions on any graphics cards as they need to fit into the LC16 case.
Its one of the last things I'm about to order but can't find any site that lists card dimensions. I would still like a passive cooled 2600XT but the way things are going might get the same card that your looking at. You are pretty sure it will perform well decoding Freeview with the onboard decoder? That is the main thing I am concerned about as I have heard people confirming the 2600XT works on the NZ streams well.

The card is a low profile card, but no it does not state the exact sizes...
And with HDMI and HDCP, and its site states that it can play HD DVD/Blu-ray, as well as clear H.264 playback, so I have assumed it can decode freeview being only SD...

But, I have not yet confirmed, as I was planning on actually calling a supplier or the manufactuer to find out exactly the answers to these questions...but since you ask, I will find out tomoro and post back here, as well as put the answers to these questions up on the wiki.

I will be asking for more info about:
- The exact dimensions
- Cooling/noise
- HDMI, audio, is it HD 7.1 channel?
- Will it work with the TV Tuner card I have selected (decode freeview)
- Its extent of its ability to handle HD, H.264, and planned HD Terrestrial freeview
- How it will perform running another same card running paralell, using SLI

phatbloke

91 posts

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#106058 22-Jan-2008 07:55

Hi

It sounds like you are about to encounter the area of re-seller's lack of information.

Yesterday I called about 5 shops (generally the main ones with the best price of pricespy) and asked for the dimensions of the card plus a couple other queries about heat / noise and freeview. Basically not one could answer a single question. The general excuse was that they didnt have any in stock and their supplier wouldn't open a package to measure and then to read the details on their site / manufacturers site. Generally they didn't know a single thing about the cards etc so any questions with regards to performance, noise were irrelavent. Of course I'm not bagging all re-sellers or store assistants or anything and I have meet plenty of helpful people along the way I am just sharing my experience yesterday.

So anyway to cut a long story short the dimensions of graphics cards seems to be the one non documentated piece of information on them. I have scoured google with no hope. Still you might have better luck than me so let me know how you get on. All I am really looking for is a card under 225mm so it fits in the Silverstone LC16 case and an onboard chip to decode freeview other than that I dont care if its ATI or Nvidia.

sbiddle

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#106059 22-Jan-2008 08:05

The 2600's will handle the Freeview broadcoasts OK - I have a Sapphire 2600 Pro myself and it works fine. I doubt you're going to find any retailers or distributors who are going to be able tp provide you with this information. Why? Because they simply won't know themselves. Not everybody is playing with the Freeview DVB-T transmissions or even has any knowledge of them. As for compatibility with your chosen TV card, there is no real reason why it wouldn't work as the two don't really have anthing to do with each other.

The big unknown at this stage is what impact the ICT flag could have in this. The ICT flag defines whether HD video can only be viewed on a HDCP compliant display or will work on anything, it's very much a case of waiting to see what happens. With support for H.264 due in Vista MCE before the end of the year people are also going to have plenty of options when it comes to their choice of software as well.

Tradepub

Free professional, reference and technical white papers (affiliate link).

lchiu7

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#106067 22-Jan-2008 09:25

sbiddle: The 2600's will handle the Freeview broadcoasts OK - I have a Sapphire 2600 Pro myself and it works fine. I doubt you're going to find any retailers or distributors who are going to be able tp provide you with this information. Why? Because they simply won't know themselves. Not everybody is playing with the Freeview DVB-T transmissions or even has any knowledge of them. As for compatibility with your chosen TV card, there is no real reason why it wouldn't work as the two don't really have anthing to do with each other.

The big unknown at this stage is what impact the ICT flag could have in this. The ICT flag defines whether HD video can only be viewed on a HDCP compliant display or will work on anything, it's very much a case of waiting to see what happens. With support for H.264 due in Vista MCE before the end of the year people are also going to have plenty of options when it comes to their choice of software as well.

I hope the Sapphire cards work okay. I bought this one

http://www.sapphiretech.com/us/products/products_overview.php?gpid=180&grp=2

I had to get the APG version else it meant completely rebuilding a newly built PVR. Like many of my projects (also have a Hauppauge HVR-3000 un-installed) the card is still in shrink wrap waiting for some spare time!

My goal was to use the HVR-3000 to get DVB-T and DVB-S broadcasts and an existing PVR-250 for TCL cable. I guess the main lack of motivation has been the paucity of TV programming leaving little motivation to watch or record anything at the moment.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

sbiddle

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#106068 22-Jan-2008 09:33

I have a HVR-3000 as well and will probably settle for that and a Nova 500 once Freeview launches and we know what the capabilities and limitations are.

lchiu7

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#106087 22-Jan-2008 11:31

Presumablay you want the Nova 500 so you can record 2 DVB-T shows at the same time and when coupled with the HVR-3000, perhaps a DVB-S also at the same time?

Not sure I could find enough programming out there to record one show, let alone 3 :-)

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

sbiddle

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#106090 22-Jan-2008 11:46

I plan on using my PVR as my main method for watching TV due to the expected high initial cost of a STB.

lchiu7

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#106093 22-Jan-2008 11:56

I guess you mean DVB-T HD transmissions? Might be a viable alternative if the HD offerings are half way decent.

Staying in Wellington. Check out my AirBnB in the Wellington CBD. https://www.airbnb.co.nz/h/wellycbd PM me and mention GZ to get a 15% discount and no AirBnB charges.

euanandrews

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#106099 22-Jan-2008 12:39

phatbloke: Hi

It sounds like you are about to encounter the area of re-seller's lack of information...

So anyway to cut a long story short the dimensions of graphics cards seems to be the one non documentated piece of information on them. I have scoured google with no hope. Still you might have better luck than me so let me know how you get on.

All I am really looking for is a card under 225mm so it fits in the Silverstone LC16 case and an onboard chip to decode freeview other than that I dont care if its ATI or Nvidia.

OK, answers I have got so far regarding the Leadtek Winfast PX8500 GT TDH HDMI....

Dimensions:
-Length:170mm
-Height:80mm
-Width:19mm

HDMI Audio:
-7.1 ch

So this card will fit into the Silverstone LC16M

phatbloke

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#106101 22-Jan-2008 12:50

Great, I might get one and see how we go. Where did you find out that info?

I have about 90% of my HTPC ordered just waiting on deliveries

euanandrews

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#106110 22-Jan-2008 13:52

phatbloke: Great, I might get one and see how we go. Where did you find out that info?

I have about 90% of my HTPC ordered just waiting on deliveries

PB Tech

They CSR was very helpfull, I convinced him to go to the warehouse and have it measured....
He called me back within 20 mins with the answer.

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