What have I missed ? - Info on HTPC build

Forums › Home Theatre (including HTPC and EPG Collector) › What have I missed ? - Info on HTPC build

FletchNZ

113 posts

Master Geek

#101412 1-May-2012 12:15

Hi guys,

I'm building a new HTPC using the parts below (I know its overkill for an HTPC job but it will end up doing other things as well).
I want to use W7MC so I can take advantage of the xbox360 extender functionality on the TV upstairs. I also don't have a satellite dish so I can only take advantage of the DVB-T signal and media on my server. I also know I that I can get the full EPG or channel logos without some extra setup so I can follow those guides when I get there. I also would like to play 3d movies via HDMI to the Sammy LED TV

Anyway the reason I posted this topic is I wanted to ask what other information/apps/addins/streaming content/possible issues etc can you guys recommend to me before I spend the money.

Also what are your thoughts on Media browser vs My Movies?

SilverStone Milo ML03B MATX HTPC Desktop Case Black
Asus P8Z77-M PRO Intel Z77
Ivy Bridge Core i5 3570K unlocked 3.4GHz
CORSAIR High Performance Vengeance Low Profile Memory Module 8gb (4gbx2)
Corsair 500W CX-500v2 ATX Power Supply
Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2210 PCIe
Fractal Design 8CM Silent Fan x2
Logitech harmony one remote
HDD/DVD drives already owned

Possibly thinking ofswapping case to Silverstone Grandia GD05B to hold an extra 3.5 HDD (for a total of 1x 2.5", 2X 3.5", 1X 5.25")

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1961 posts

Uber Geek

#618116 1-May-2012 22:02

Does the M/B handle Blu Ray 3D?
You may want a suitable Graphics card.
In the past (early DVD days) I've found onboard graphics aren't as good as a dedicated graphics card.

Kiwipixter

246 posts

Master Geek

#618135 1-May-2012 22:37

I guess after putting your hardware together get ready to put aside most of the next year getting all the software running.

I use Media Browser and work perfectly, albeit slow but your hardware should handle it very good. My media player is MPC-Classic with Shark007 codec pack. Bluray player is TotalMedia Theatre.

Google is your best friend. Cheers.

FletchNZ

113 posts

Master Geek

#618203 2-May-2012 08:58

Thanks, guys for your replies.

Does the M/B handle Blu Ray 3D?
You may want a suitable Graphics card.
In the past (early DVD days) I've found onboard graphics aren't as good as a dedicated graphics card.

Yes the motherboard supports bluray as well as 3D which I plan on using, i've also picked a more powerful CPU as it has the 4000 series graphics on the CPU chip and saved by skipping the GPU. I can always upgrade later but this should be powerful enough.

I guess after putting your hardware together get ready to put aside most of the next year getting all the software running.

I use Media Browser and work perfectly, albeit slow but your hardware should handle it very good. My media player is MPC-Classic with Shark007 codec pack. Bluray player is TotalMedia Theatre.

Google is your best friend. Cheers.

Thanks, I have seen that Shark007 codec pack appear a few times and seems to be the most popular so ill run with that.
I have been googling HTPC for a while now but a lot of it on the time the TV info doesn't relate to NZ.

I guess when I am about to spend the money, I just wanted to ask the experts in my own country what they addins or enhancements used in their software solution.

redjet

299 posts

Ultimate Geek

#618216 2-May-2012 09:37

Have a read of this guide as it's probably one of the best out there on building a HTPC:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1302559

I can understand you wanting to future proof however playing a 1080p movie only uses around 10% of an i3 2100 CPU, so an i5 CPU is overkill. The HD 2000 graphics can apparently play 3D movies, although I don't own a 3D TV so can't confirm this.

You could possibly cut the RAM down to 4GB as I really don't think you will use anything over that. You might want to consider adding a 40GB SSD for the boot drive as well.

I've got the Silverstone Grandia GD04 case which is excellent. You might want to compare the style of the GD04 vs the GD05 as there are a few differences. The main one being that the CD04 has a face-plate for the DVD door whereas the CD05 doesn't. See this thread for a comparison: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1344881

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reven

3743 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#618220 2-May-2012 09:54

you might want to use a fanless power supply

http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=14062
http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=14061

im using the 460w one in my server/tv server, which is i5 3.3ghz, 16gb ram, 120gb ssd hdd, 2tb hdd, 4xdvb-s2 pci-e capture card, dvb-t usb win-nova-t something, dvd drive, onboard hdmi/sound. runs good, powers everything.

your cpu might be overkill, unless you are planning on transcoding videos for the xbox, which is highly likely given the limited number of codecs they can play.

also you should checkout xbmc pvr branch, its free and worth a play, very similar to media center, but with the added bonus of thin clients (raspberrypi for example, for $55). it wont work with your xbox 360 however, but still worth checking out (wont hurt)

FletchNZ

113 posts

Master Geek

#618222 2-May-2012 10:00

redjet: Have a read of this guide as it's probably one of the best out there on building a HTPC:
http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1302559

I can understand you wanting to future proof however playing a 1080p movie only uses around 10% of an i3 2100 CPU, so an i5 CPU is overkill. The HD 2000 graphics can apparently play 3D movies, although I don't own a 3D TV so can't confirm this.

You could possibly cut the RAM down to 4GB as I really don't think you will use anything over that. You might want to consider adding a 40GB SSD for the boot drive as well.

I've got the Silverstone Grandia GD04 case which is excellent. You might want to compare the style of the GD04 vs the GD05 as there are a few differences. The main one being that the CD04 has a face-plate for the DVD door whereas the CD05 doesn't. See this thread for a comparison: http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1344881

Thanks red, I realize that it way over spec'ed even to be playing a 3D movie and running a Xbox 360 extender at the same time but there is a chance that the missus wont like it for what ever reason so i want to be able to re-purpose it if I need to and since it my first new PC since '02 ( and I work as a DBA) I feel i can justify the specs. Who knows, it will probably end up running a VM or the odd bit of light gaming.

At the moment I'm reading http://www.hack7mc.com/ and have a good list of add on's, My list below although there will need to be some testing done.

weather - heat wave
Media - My Movies 4 (pro)
themes - media center studio
Commercial removal Wtvwatcher and life extender.
My Channel Logos
EPG loader
Remote Potato
Macrotube

FletchNZ

113 posts

Master Geek

#618228 2-May-2012 10:10

reven: you might want to use a fanless power supply

http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=14062
http://www.computerlounge.co.nz/components/componentview.asp?partid=14061

im using the 460w one in my server/tv server, which is i5 3.3ghz, 16gb ram, 120gb ssd hdd, 2tb hdd, 4xdvb-s2 pci-e capture card, dvb-t usb win-nova-t something, dvd drive, onboard hdmi/sound. runs good, powers everything.

your cpu might be overkill, unless you are planning on transcoding videos for the xbox, which is highly likely given the limited number of codecs they can play.

also you should checkout xbmc pvr branch, its free and worth a play, very similar to media center, but with the added bonus of thin clients (raspberrypi for example, for $55). it wont work with your xbox 360 however, but still worth checking out (wont hurt)

Sound good although I know very little Linux, but running a raspberry pi as an extender would be super sweet.

I did start to look at an "eden" build of XBMC but as it didn't have Live TV built and you has to use a 3rd party app in it started to get overwhelming, MCE was the next step since I had an xbox. since raspberry pi has just come out ill wait and see but a make your own $55 extender without the hassle of trans coding would be great.

Sharesies

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Nety

2584 posts

Uber Geek

Retired Mod

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#618233 2-May-2012 10:21

I would suggest NOT installing a codec pack. Just install what you need. For me I have the Divix installed which covers MKV's etc, Matroska splitter and ffdshow for sound. Have a read of http://www.hack7mc.com/2009/02/mkvs-for-mimimalists-on-windows-7.html

Media centre PC - Case Silverstone LC16M with 2 X 80mm AcoustiFan DustPROOF, MOBO Gigabyte MA785GT-UD3H, CPU AMD X2 240 under volted, RAM 4 Gig DDR3 1033, HDD 120Gig System/512Gig data, Tuners 2 X Hauppauge HVR-3000, 1 X HVR-2200, Video Palit GT 220, Sound Realtek 886A HD (onboard), Optical LiteOn DH-401S Blue-ray using TotalMedia Theatre Power Corsair VX Series, 450W ATX PSU OS Windows 7 x64

reven

3743 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#618273 2-May-2012 11:32

FletchNZ: Sound good although I know very little Linux, but running a raspberry pi as an extender would be super sweet.

I did start to look at an "eden" build of XBMC but as it didn't have Live TV built and you has to use a 3rd party app in it started to get overwhelming, MCE was the next step since I had an xbox. since raspberry pi has just come out ill wait and see but a make your own $55 extender without the hassle of trans coding would be great.

you shouldnt need to know any linux to get this to work, your server can be windows running for the record or mediaportal for the tv server, xbmc runs fine on windows.

and raspberrypis should have a preconfigured install by the time it comes out, there is openelec, raspbmc and one other i believe in the works atm.

tv in xbmc is currently limited however, no timeshifting and scheduling is basic (no series link type recordings), however both for the record and mediaportal have web interfaces so you can browse directly to the backend and setup your recording schedules (this is how im currently doing it). the beauty of xbmc pvr is one tv server backend with lots of cheap/thin clients around the house sharing recordings/tv tuners (i have 3 clients atm, all running xbmc-live with pvr on them).

only feature i envy in windows media center is netflix. hulu/tvnz on demand/tv3 on demand work great in xbmc :)

FletchNZ

113 posts

Master Geek

#618293 2-May-2012 12:19

I love the TV server/Client idea, it would be a good replacement for my very dated home server made from random scavenged parts.

is it possible to get TVNZ/TV3 on demand on WMC?

reven

3743 posts

Uber Geek

Trusted

#618327 2-May-2012 13:07

FletchNZ: I love the TV server/Client idea, it would be a good replacement for my very dated home server made from random scavenged parts.

is it possible to get TVNZ/TV3 on demand on WMC?

to my knowledge there are no plugins for tvnz/tv3 on demand for WMC, the only computer client software im aware with them is xbmc

kiwijunglist

2981 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#618667 3-May-2012 03:56

I'd avoid HD2000, it's a bit borderline from what I hear. I'd take HD3000 to be minimun for a "good" setup. Your cpu is overkill, you could just use an i3-2100 + gfx card, or an i3-2105 w. onboard hd3000.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

kiwijunglist

2981 posts

Uber Geek

ID Verified

#618668 3-May-2012 03:58

reven:
FletchNZ: Sound good although I know very little Linux, but running a raspberry pi as an extender would be super sweet.

I did start to look at an "eden" build of XBMC but as it didn't have Live TV built and you has to use a 3rd party app in it started to get overwhelming, MCE was the next step since I had an xbox. since raspberry pi has just come out ill wait and see but a make your own $55 extender without the hassle of trans coding would be great.

you shouldnt need to know any linux to get this to work, your server can be windows running for the record or mediaportal for the tv server, xbmc runs fine on windows.

and raspberrypis should have a preconfigured install by the time it comes out, there is openelec, raspbmc and one other i believe in the works atm.

tv in xbmc is currently limited however, no timeshifting and scheduling is basic (no series link type recordings), however both for the record and mediaportal have web interfaces so you can browse directly to the backend and setup your recording schedules (this is how im currently doing it). the beauty of xbmc pvr is one tv server backend with lots of cheap/thin clients around the house sharing recordings/tv tuners (i have 3 clients atm, all running xbmc-live with pvr on them).

only feature i envy in windows media center is netflix. hulu/tvnz on demand/tv3 on demand work great in xbmc :)

You can use mediaportal + tv server on the pc, then run ampdroid on an android extender, it does live tv etc. Personally havn't tried this. I'm pretty sure that MP supports netflix etc.

HTPC / Home automation (home assistant) enthusiast.

FletchNZ

113 posts

Master Geek

#618938 3-May-2012 16:14

Thanks guys, parts are ordered and I pick them up next week.
I might have some more questions once the config starts but you have been very helpful so far.

FletchNZ

113 posts

Master Geek

#622755 10-May-2012 10:57

Im looking at purchasing Big Screen EPG and My Channel Logos 2, are these the best apps or should I look at some others?

I got EPG collector last night, great little program and thanks to whoever update them with the new frequencies.

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