Building a Media Center PC

[PsychoZX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mr.PD Neither of those cards has a component video out.

Thats why you get a video card that does.

 

[redshifter]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsychoZX Thats why you get a video card that does.

can you please tell me which cards do? i have a pretty nice component cable and i'd prefer not to hook it to a 1/8" dongle from the card's s-video out.

 

[PsychoZX]

I took the liberty of putting together a list of pc parts for you. I did go just a bit over your budget though. Although some of the components are optional.

Case:
SILVERSTONE SST-LC17-B $140 (there are cheaper cases but this is about as cheap as a HTPC case comes while still looking good IMO)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811163055

Power Supply:
FSP Group AX450-PN 450w $51 (A decent psu at a good price)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104954

Motherboard:
Albatron K8SLi $80

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813170147

CPU:
AMD Athlon 64 3000+ Venice $121

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103537

Memory:
A-DATA 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR $63

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820211022

Heatsink:
ZALMAN CNPS7000B-AlCu $29 (Nice quite cooler)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835118112

Video Card:
SAPPHIRE Radeon X800GTO $99 (nice component out that supports 480i, 480p, 720p, and 1080i, and a decent gaming card as well)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102620

Tv Tuner:
Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 MCE $64 (a nice cheap option but doesn't have dual tuners and built in mpeg encoders like the card below)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815116620

Hauppauge WinTV-PVR 500 MCE $145

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815116628

Optical Drive:
BenQ 16X DVD±R DVD Burner $35 (also burns dual-layer discs)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827101002

Hard Drive:
300GB Seagate Barracuda 7200.8 $105

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148064

OS:
Widows MCE 2005 $115

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832102357

Remote:
Microsoft WinXP MCE Remote w/ Receiver $40

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16880100853

Sound Card:
Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi XtremeMusic $122 (this is optional but you will lose dvd-audio capability if you choose not to get it)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16829102188

Keyboard & Mouse:
Logitech Cordless Internet Pro Wireless Desktop $27 (a decent cheap wireless mouse and keyboard)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16823126168

 

[Uncle Erik]

An easier solution might be to buy a new Intel Mac Mini for $599. I don't have a TiVO, but I understand that they will network with FrontRow/Bonjour on Macs and allow you to serve content. I use a Linux box with a HDTV tuner card, and it works fine.

Even better, the Intel Mini has optical out for your DAC or receiver.

The best part? You get a remote.

I couldn't be happier with my Mini; it makes an entertainment PC as easy to deal with as an iPod. Check them out.

 

[redshifter]

thanks zx!

does that video card have a dedicated component out?

why do i need a sound card if i'll be using the denon to decode all the audio?

 

[c0mfortably_numb]

Quote:

Originally Posted by PsychoZX I took the liberty of putting together a list of pc parts for you. I did go just a bit over your budget though. Although some of the components are optional. Power Supply: FSP Group AX450-PN 450w $51 (A decent psu at a good price) http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104954 Memory: A-DATA 1GB (2 x 512MB) 184-Pin DDR $63

I would disagree with FSP Power Supplys...I had one and the 120MM fan that it was supplyed with died withing 6 months...80 dollars down the drain. My freind more daring then I saw me about to throw it away and asked for it and he replaced the fan.

Also if your building a PC do your self a favor and get named brand ram, You get what you pay for

Stick with Corsair and Crucial...I prefer crucial but I'm running Corsair in my latest computer build (see thread) and it appears pretty good.

 

[PsychoZX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshifter does that video card have a dedicated component out?

Yes it comes with a component out dongle so you don't need to buy anything extra.

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshifter why do i need a sound card if i'll be using the denon to decode all the audio?

You need the soundcard if you want DVD-Audio capabilities. You cant send DVD-Audio digitally to your denon. You will have to use the analog outputs of the creative card. Of course if you don't need dvd-audio you can skip the soundcard and just use the motherboard's optical or coax output for everything but DVD-A.


Quote:

Originally Posted by c0mfortably_numb I would disagree with FSP Power Supplys...I had one and the 120MM fan that it was supplyed with died withing 6 months...80 dollars down the drain. My freind more daring then I saw me about to throw it away and asked for it and he replaced the fan.

I've had no problems with FSP PSUs.

Quote:

Originally Posted by c0mfortably_numb Also if your building a PC do your self a favor and get named brand ram, You get what you pay for Stick with Corsair and Crucial...I prefer crucial but I'm running Corsair in my latest computer build (see thread) and it appears pretty good.

The A-DATA ram is not crap no name memory. Granted it isn't Corsair but it comes with a lifetime warranty so I wouldn't be to worried about its quality.

 

[PsychoZX]

I'd also like to recommend this video card as well:

SAPPHIRE Radeon X850XT

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102688

Also supports component out but offers MUCH better gaming performance at only $70 more than the X800GTO.

 

[redshifter]

alright cool, i already have a dvda player. i'm not too concerned with 5.1 dvda playback yet. so at the moment, i can subtract the soundcard cost.

to clarify, when i say component video out i mean ANALOG component video out.

would a vga --> analog component video converter provide a better signal?
http://www.datapro.net/products/CSV-925B.html

 

[PsychoZX]

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshifter to clarify, when i say component video out i mean ANALOG component video out.

I know. You can switch between 480i, 480p, 720p, 1080i output modes. You would use 480i with your current tv and you can switch it to 720p or 1080i if you upgrade to a HDTV.

Quote:

Originally Posted by redshifter would a vga --> analog component video converter provide a better signal? http://www.datapro.net/products/CSV-925B.html

I doubt it. The tv outputs on video cards these days are very good. Its not like the crappy tv-outs on cards of yesteryear where a device like that could yield much better picture quality.

 

[redshifter]

thanks for all your help on this zx! i'm looking into your recommendations.

 

[Nick Dangerous]

I just built a HTPC. This is what I bought:

Case: Aopen EX761 - $189

Cool appearance, silent operation, SATA and ATA-133, built-in GIGABIT ethernet (a must for transferring movies over the network), built-in sound, digital optical AND coaxial output, firewire ports in front and back, stable motherboard, 1 PCI-Express (hooray!) slot, 1 PCI slot, high-quality custom CPU heatsink, everything is pre-wired, and 275W power supply is beefier than most.

It's seriously da bomb. I own two of 'em... and may get a third. Warning: It hates Corsair memory (as do I).

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16856140021

Extra fans: Two Evercool 15mm width 80mm fans - $5.49 each

Recommended with the case above. One for intake, another for exhaust.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16835119041

CPU: AMD Athlon 64 3000+ socket 754 Venice - $121

Agreed with PsychoZX on this one. Best CPU for the money right now.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819103537

Memory: Transcend 1GB - $75.85

Rock solid. Low price.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820208125

Video Card: X1600 PRO 256MB for $110-ish, or X1600XT for $145-ish.

Reason: Go with an ATI graphics card, because you'll probably want an ATI TV Wonder Elite as your tuner. Stick with the X1600 line. They are small, use less power than the X800 series, and support Pixelshader 3.0 (older ATI cards don't).

Pro: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102651
XT: http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814102657

Tv Tuner: Visiontek 550 Theater Pro w/remote & IR Blaster - $113

Of all the 550 Theater TV tuners at Newegg, this has the best included remote. The others are nasty... just look! Although the 550 doesn't do HD, it does have THE BEST analog quality capture you can get. It also tunes in FM radio which is cool. Throw away the CD drivers & BeyondTV software (install at your own risk!) and you're all set.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814129051

DVD Recorder: Samsung SH-S162L - $49

Dual-layer. DVD-RAM support. Insanely fast ripping speeds. LIGHTSCRIBE!

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827151118

Hard Drive: 250GB Samsung Spinpoint SATA 3.0GB - $85

Quiet. Fast. Newest SATA standard.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822152025

OS: Windows MCE 2005 - $115

Keep in mind that since you are installing MCE from scratch, you won't get a DVD decoder included in the software. I recommend purchasing Cyberlink Powerdvd SE (available here: http://www.cyberlink.com/multi/cyber...er_10_ENU.html). It's a high-quality codec which is fully compatible with Windows Media Player 10. Yes, it is an extra $15, but just do it. MCE is fussy enough as-is.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16832102357

Keyboard & Mouse: I use a wireless device called the "Airboard" which has a built-in thumbstick and requires no drivers. Found it on eBay several years ago for about $20. Still use it, so no idea what's new in the wireless input device world.

Total price: $875-ish

No idea if it will do DVD-A or SACD. Coaxial digital output is supported. Regarding component video output, you might need a different video card. I can attest that the native VGA/DVI output looks very nice on my HDTV.

 

[oldears]

I think you have already been given some really good ideas. I would like to add another one: Try to take a look at BUILDING THE PERFECT PC by Robert Bruce Thompson. It is published by O'Reilly Media, Inc. It has an entire chapter on "Building a Home Theater PC". There is also a website associated with the book, www.hardwareguys.com. I bought the book and found it to be very useful.

 

[redshifter]

thanks guys. this isn't the first pc i've built. but it is the first htpc.

here is my list of components:
MOBO
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813138268
$60

CPU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16819104245
$75

RAM 1g
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16820145440
$72

TUNER CARD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16815116625
$90

VIDEO CARD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130003
$77

CASE
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811119088
$45

300g HD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16822148064
$100

FANS
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811999071
$15

PSU
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16817104954
$51

everything comes in us ~$600. this is a little more than the $500 i wanted to spend, but i'm sure the larger hd and upgraded tuner will be worth it.

this system will output raw pcm and bitstream audio via the mobo's digital coax out, for the denon av reviever to decode. no extra soundcard needed.

 

[CRS401]

If you have a circuit city nearby, they have the Hauppauge WinTV-PVR-150 for 99 dollars with 40 dollars in rebates. Ends today on the 8th though.