HTPC Ideas

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linuxbot

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

Topic # 24074 14-Jul-2008 17:10

Hi all,
I am planning on building a HTPC at lowest cost possible with DVB and analogue support.

My first plan:
Mobo : ASUS M2N-MX SE Plus
CPU : AMD Athlon64 X2 5000+ Windsor core
Ram : 2 Sticks 512MB DDR2 No-name
OS : XP Home OEM
HDD : WD SATA2 16MB 320GB
Video : XFX PV-T86S-WANG nV8400GS 256MB
Monitor : 36inch old CRT TV
Tuner : Hauppauge HVR-2200
Case : EXCEL mATX desktop case with 400W PSU
Software : MediaPortal probably
DVD : Lite-ON DVD Writer
Remote : Microsoft MCE remote backlit

Any suggestions?

amphibem

138 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 147876 14-Jul-2008 19:53

Looks pretty good, couple of points:

- That CPU is pretty cheap, make sure you get at least a 65W model though. Given you have hardware acceleration you could probably get away with a single core 45W LE for ~$20 less though

- Unfortunatly the analogue side of the HVR 2200 isn't currently supported under MediaPortal, not sure when that will happen. So either you get another card for analogue or hold fire on Prime (presumably why you want analogue) until it is supported.

Other than that it looks good, I have the M2N-MX SE board and it has been pretty good (i take it th new model just has the AM2+ support). You may want to try and spend a bit more on the hard drive if you can stretch it, 5GB an hour HD recordings mean spce fills up quick!

eXDee

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Reply # 147879 14-Jul-2008 19:56

amphibem:- Unfortunatly the analogue side of the HVR 2200 isn't currently supported under MediaPortal, not sure when that will happen.

I thought this was confirmed fixed as per several SVN's back?

amphibem

138 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 147896 14-Jul-2008 20:36

Well I gathered from comments such as 'Hmm... Is MHEG5 format support in the roadmap for RC2? Also, is HVR2200 Analog support going to come around any time soon?' by fraseyboy in the NZ thread in the MP forumns and this (http://www.geekzone.co.nz/forums.asp?ForumId=84&TopicId=20931&page_no=2) thread at Geekzone made me assume it wasn't. If someone knows for sure please correct me, information on this appears to be lacking.

Edit: Why can't I add links to my posts?

mcraenz

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Reply # 147944 14-Jul-2008 23:19

Yes TVServer has anlog support since SVN1926 And I can vouch for that since I use it daily

Is the AMD that much cheaper? the 45nm c2d chips are so sweat, really nice and cool.
Also is the small formfactor really necessiary, it really limits your options. A mid tower can be hidden behind or down the side of a couch; just a thought.

Also that board has not PCIe 1x slots so you can only put in "older" PCI cards i.e you can't put in an HVR-2200. Also confirm that the 8400 has full hardware h.264 support I thought it was 8500GT up.

Put in a single 1GB stick so you can go to 2GB later, there are only 2 dimm slots!

This box looks more like a front end config not a TVServer, spend a few more bucks and make it a bit more "future proof". Just my 2cents worth

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amphibem

138 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 147974 15-Jul-2008 07:03

mcraenz: Yes TVServer has anlog support since SVN1926 And I can vouch for that since I use it daily

Apologies, not sure why there is still confusion on this front then. Good point on the lack of PCI slots too.

Nety

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Reply # 147992 15-Jul-2008 08:59

mcraenz: Also confirm that the 8400 has full hardware h.264 support I thought it was 8500GT up.

The 8400 is a bit of a dark horse. I tried quite hard to confirm it did support hardware support and found that:

It was built as an OEM only card aimed at entry level OEM HTPC's.

They then opened it up to be available through retail.

NVidia gave mixed messages. In some area's they said if provided full hardware support but then in others it was missing from the lists of cards that did hardware support.

I could not find ANY reviews on 8400 cards and no other sources that confirmed that it could do full hardware support.

In the end I decided that it was far to risky and went for the 8500GT.

mcraenz: Put in a single 1GB stick so you can go to 2GB later, there are only 2 dimm slots!

Personally I would put a single 2 gig they really are cheap and as mcraenz says there is only two slots.

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

linuxbot

2 posts

Wannabe Geek

Reply # 148117 15-Jul-2008 15:10

Thanks for all the info guys so I am now be thinking of using a 1GB stick of ram, an 8500GT passive video card and the ABIT A-N68SV as the mobo.
As for the CPU would a Sempron LE-1200 do or would it be better with the 5000 X2 or even above that?

mcraenz

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Reply # 148382 16-Jul-2008 02:06

Why a board with on board video since you'll never use it? Also I'd still look around for a board with more PICe than PCI slots.

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browned

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Ultimate Geek
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Reply # 148458 16-Jul-2008 12:06

linuxbot: Hi all,
I am planning on building a HTPC at lowest cost possible with DVB and analogue support.

My first plan:
Mobo : ASUS M2N-MX SE Plus
CPU : AMD Athlon64 X2 5000+ Windsor core (65W)
Ram : 2 x 2GB ($72 each just cause it is so cheap) (http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=363327)
OS : Vista Home Premium
HDD : WD SATA2 16MB 320GB - That I have 250GB and it is OK but 500GB would be better for $150.
Video : MSI MSNX86GT-TD512 ( http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=363029)
Monitor : 36inch old CRT TV
Tuner : Hauppauge HVR-2200
Case : EXCEL mATX desktop case with 400W PSU (80% Eff PSU?)
Software : MediaPortal probably/DVBViewer/Vista MCE (cover the bases)
DVD : LiteOn DH-4O1S-08 Blu-ray reader/DVDRW ( http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=364117)
Remote : Microsoft MCE remote backlit
Software : Anydvd HD ( To watch blu-ray on CRT )
Cooling : Big CPU cooler so it is Quiet.

Any suggestions?

Changes in Bold.
Future Proofed.
CPU and Motherboard situation is interesting, Obviously Intel have performance crown, but AMD dual core and Mobo deals are pretty good. I have s939 3800+ X2 still running my Media Center and it is great at only 2 x 2.0Ghz. If I was going to upgrade I would go for a 45W dual core and ATX mobo instead of m-ATX. but these are hard to come by in NZ.

Cheers
DB

browned

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Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 32

Reply # 148467 16-Jul-2008 12:26

actually scrap that motherboard, video card, and case.

Get this motherboard and a ATX case and you are set for the future.
http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=365592

Cheers
DB

huckster

328 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 45

Reply # 148537 16-Jul-2008 15:59

DVD : LiteOn DH-4O1S-08 Blu-ray reader/DVDRW ( http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=364117)

This is just a ROM isn't it? Slightly misleading specificatons but I think that's it's just read.

http://www.liteonit.com/global/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=255&Itemid=170

I've only just started looking at Blu-ray drives myself.

:-)

browned

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Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 32

Reply # 148750 17-Jul-2008 09:03

huckster:

DVD : LiteOn DH-4O1S-08 Blu-ray reader/DVDRW ( http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=364117)

This is just a ROM isn't it? Slightly misleading specificatons but I think that's it's just read.

http://www.liteonit.com/global/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=255&Itemid=170

I've only just started looking at Blu-ray drives myself.

:-)

I haven't really investigated it. But $270 for reader vs $500+ for writer which is not required when PowerDVD will play files from anywhere. Plus who wants to buy Blu-Ray media ouch.

I brought mine to play blu-ray movies so thats all I need it to do at the moment. I had a DVDRW in my media center previously and I never used it for R or RW as that is what the other computer on the computer desk is for (easier to access :-)

cheers
DB

ajst2duk

170 posts

Master Geek

Reply # 148753 17-Jul-2008 09:08

browned: actually scrap that motherboard, video card, and case.

Get this motherboard and a ATX case and you are set for the future.
http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=365592
Ram : 2 x 2GB ($72 each just cause it is so cheap) (http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=363327)
Video : MSI MSNX86GT-TD512 ( http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=363029)
DVD : LiteOn DH-4O1S-08 Blu-ray reader/DVDRW ( http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=364117)

Cheers
DB

You got some sort of commission deal going with ascent?

browned

611 posts

Ultimate Geek
+1 received by user: 32

Reply # 148788 17-Jul-2008 10:58

You got some sort of commission deal going with ascent?

Nope, I wish. Just easy to find and normally have decent info on the products, as well as links to manufacturer's websites which is always helpful. If you have a similar site with similar info and prices let me know. Except don't include the ones that charge for shipping and exclude GST as they always end up charging GST on the shipping and it works out the same or very close to my "prefered" sites. :-) hehe

Cheers
DB

1gkar

722 posts

Ultimate Geek

Reply # 148798 17-Jul-2008 11:15

browned:
huckster:

DVD : LiteOn DH-4O1S-08 Blu-ray reader/DVDRW ( http://www.ascent.co.nz/productspecification.aspx?ItemID=364117)

This is just a ROM isn't it? Slightly misleading specificatons but I think that's it's just read.

http://www.liteonit.com/global/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=255&Itemid=170

I've only just started looking at Blu-ray drives myself.

:-)

I haven't really investigated it. But $270 for reader vs $500+ for writer which is not required when PowerDVD will play files from anywhere. Plus who wants to buy Blu-Ray media ouch.

I brought mine to play blu-ray movies so thats all I need it to do at the moment. I had a DVDRW in my media center previously and I never used it for R or RW as that is what the other computer on the computer desk is for (easier to access :-)

cheers
DB

Yes. NZPC World state this is only a ROM drive. Look at the LG model as it has DVD-RW capabilities. Can't remember model but is around $300 according to Pricespy last time I looked.

You may find, being a hybrid drive (BD+DVD) that the DVD writing speeds may be down compared with a dedicated DVD-RW model. Haven't checked on specs so may be wrong on this count.

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