im looking to build a HTPC my limit is around $1000. i was looking to start with the case, card, mobo, cpu etc any recommendations? i was looking at maybe a thermaltake case?
Case $90 Cpu/mb $240 or less 2.0G ram $140 500G hdd $150 Video $100 or less HDTV w/DVI $ 274 TOTAL $994 The most important item for the HTPC is the tuner. Don’t slack on this, it’ll come back and bite you. The MyHD MDP-130 w/DVI card is pricey but, well worth the expense. With an on-board hardware decoder very little CPU usage is required for H-D display and capture. And the DVI card will produce a true 1920x1080i output so you don’t need a high end Video card(s) or SLI. Utilizing the MDP-130 will allow you to go with a lesser CPU/MB (you won’t need the extra processing power) and you should be able to come in under a grand with excellent results. I prefer the ANTEC line with the Tru-Power PSU that regulates the speed of the case fans based on temperature needs, for a truly silent case. Oh, and don’t be a chump, go with AMD!
Oops. If your OS is gonna be MCE, you'll have to look at the Fusion 5 Gold though. MDP-130 is for XP.
what windows do u recommend?? cos i have have both? if money was not an issue what casu would you suggest??
I’m not convinced that the features of MCE are worth the component compatibility hassles involved. Whoa, look out Vista. Arghh! There are some sweet media cases for HTPC out through various brands. Though most are designed for Micro ATX MBs, this one; http://www.antec.com/us/productDetails.php?ProdID=15730# accepts both Micro and Standard ATX MBs, has a 450w v2.01 compliant psu, easy slide-out drive bays and enhanced cooling features. Very quiet and not too hard on the wallet. $130 or so.
Utilizing the MDP-130 tuner enables you to use pretty much any combo that will support your preferred OS. For example, I built two this week: http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4683208#detailed $60 http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4811040?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG $55 http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4755919?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG $200 http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4116853 $80 http://shop2.outpost.com/product/4657728?site=sr:SEARCH:MAIN_RSLT_PG $100, or $80/w rebate http://www.digitalconnection.com/Products/Video/mdp130.asp $225. The MDP-130 will also play your DVDs, component and s-video inputs, any stored video file in any format (analog or HD) and tape. This combo will handle any gaming or HD editing just fine. Total $720; just add the case and DVD of your choice.
i have some old parts like a socket 478 p4 3.2ghz + mobo and 1gb ram, is the gear you recommend just going to wipe this old stuff of the plate???
You’d only be saving $115. Ask yourself, do you want old in a new build for a relatively low savings and potential problems? With the high-end tuner, very little CPU power is needed and pretty much any archaic cpu/mb combo will do just fine though.
If all I'm worried about is being able to play DVD rip files (ISOs) in full component resolution and digital sound, then what video and sound card should I be looking at? For video, I'm not after any capture ability, just playback. And for audio, I'd like optical or coaxial. Any suggestions on hardware? I'm considering going with Win Media Center for the remote front end.
hey does anyone know how much gig is taken up by one hour of recording HDTV in high res? just decideing on hdd size.
for front end software I would use mediaportal, freeware alternative to mce and not loaded down with drm crap.
I'm actually changing directions. For my purpose, an XBOX with XBMC loaded is perfect. Much easier and cheaper than a full on PC and still more features than I want or will ever use. A modded XBOX looks to run less than $200, XBMC is free, and it will mount ISOs to play DVDs. All I need to do is swap out the HD for a bigger one and I'm set.
