HTPC

[simon varley]

Now, I've never build a computer before in my life, but I'm completely fed up not being able to buy some off the shelf boxes that do what I want.

I want to:

• play mp3s through the stereo
• record HD TV
• play bluray movies (in the future)

so I've decided to build a Home Theathre PC. It's got the added advantage that my HD LCD TV has an HDMI port so I should be able to drive it at 1080HD and get an upgrade 'for free'

I've had a look at the PC forums, but they are waaay to geeky for me. I know (I think) what hardware I need and I've got a reasonable idea of the standard of each component. What I need is some nice comforting words and reassurance that it really is more or less plug and play - or am I being completely naive?

So, anyone here done anything like this? Any hints 'n' tips? Anything to avoid?

cheers

[big_si]

From vague memory I think Mal Bridgeman might have something fancy like this??? Drop him a PM!

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by simon varley

Now, I've never build a computer before in my life, but I'm completely fed up not being able to buy some off the shelf boxes that do what I want.

I want to:

• play mp3s through the stereo
• record HD TV
• play bluray movies (in the future)

so I've decided to build a Home Theathre PC. It's got the added advantage that my HD LCD TV has an HDMI port so I should be able to drive it at 1080HD and get an upgrade 'for free'

I've had a look at the PC forums, but they are waaay to geeky for me. I know (I think) what hardware I need and I've got a reasonable idea of the standard of each component. What I need is some nice comforting words and reassurance that it really is more or less plug and play - or am I being completely naive?

So, anyone here done anything like this? Any hints 'n' tips? Anything to avoid?

cheers

I have a built a couple .... Plug & Play is, of course, a misnomer, but not so hard.

I am now using MS Vista Media Center which gives one of the most reliable solutions I have tried. It's worth looking in depth at "Quiet"/Silent PC components. I would certainly recommend you have a look at the Hush Technologies PCs .... they are actually silent ..... so generally pass the tests applied by other halfs

I have some experience and can share my thoughts on things I know about.

Mal

[And]

Hi

You can call ITexpress on 08002796905, and we can help. We have been doing HTPC's for a while and can advise on components and the like. Ask for Nick or Claire.

Most of what you want is quite simple. The MP3 'jukebox' type feature is already in Windows XP Media Center and also Vista Home Premium. (Already on your PC even but the presentation is better on the media center software and can be controlled with a remote) I am not sure about HDTV because the usual way of watching TV is via a digital tuner card connected to freeview, so as long as you can get the HDTV channel through a Freeview type system then fine. Blu Rays need the Blu Ray player and that should come with the codec to watch the movie. I use a PS3 myself. To hear the HD sound might not be so simple but most boards will come with 5.1 or 7.1 surround, or the best way is to send all the audio and video to a HDMI receiver and let that do the work (which then allows you to connect up the SkyHD, PS3, PC etc to the screen via the one HDMI socket), and then you can also use proper hifi quality speakers.

Most of it is plug and play, but you will need to make sure that the components you buy also come with the drivers which are compatible with the OS you are going to use.

Andy

[simon varley]

cheers Mal,

noise is definitely one of the things I'm concerned about - I don't mind a noisy PSU or HDD in the study, but I don't want one in the living room. I've skimmed a few PC review sites and found a few that rank components by noise. Typically the quite ones seem to be the expensive ones! Still, I guess the other advantage of building something myself is that it is always upgradeable. Given the price of bluray drives right now I'm just going DVD and will upgrade when the price drops.

Vista Media Centre is also the way I've been recommended to go by other people, so that's the plan. Western Digital HDD appears to be fairly quiet. A wifi motherboard lets me network, and more importantly stream internet radio. A two chanel DTV card lets me watch and record at the same time. The case I'm probably going for is this DH102 VH2001BNS. The LCD screen because I don't want to have to turn the TV on just to search for music. With a power supply, CPU and memory that's about it, isn't it? Have I missed anything? What about a sseparate sound card?

sorry to overload you with questions. It's a lot of money and I just want someone to convince me I'm not overstretching myself for a first time build

[simon varley]

And, I would call you mate but I'm in Australia! the 0800 number might not work as well as from blighty.

thanks for the advice. We've got pretty good DTV free to air over here and they're just starting HD broadcasts so I'm hoping it's all straight forward....

[Marky Mark]

Plug and play more like Plug and Pray (or should that be Prey)

Good luck.

[Mal Bridgeman]

Originally Posted by simon varley

cheers Mal,

noise is definitely one of the things I'm concerned about - I don't mind a noisy PSU or HDD in the study, but I don't want one in the living room. I've skimmed a few PC review sites and found a few that rank components by noise. Typically the quite ones seem to be the expensive ones! Still, I guess the other advantage of building something myself is that it is always upgradeable. Given the price of bluray drives right now I'm just going DVD and will upgrade when the price drops.

Vista Media Centre is also the way I've been recommended to go by other people, so that's the plan. Western Digital HDD appears to be fairly quiet. A wifi motherboard lets me network, and more importantly stream internet radio. A two chanel DTV card lets me watch and record at the same time. The case I'm probably going for is this DH102 VH2001BNS. The LCD screen because I don't want to have to turn the TV on just to search for music. With a power supply, CPU and memory that's about it, isn't it? Have I missed anything? What about a sseparate sound card?

sorry to overload you with questions. It's a lot of money and I just want someone to convince me I'm not overstretching myself for a first time build

In my experience there is no such thing as a silent fan. They can be quiet but never silent .... the only way to get silent ios *no* moving parts .... which is what the Hush Technologies box I have, gives. The HD moves, but only when you are using it so the sound drowns that easily. In fact the sound from your music, DVD whatever will drown the fans .... but when you sit in the room with nothing on sound wise, it becomes very noticable.

Wireless is ok unless you want to go for network based storage ..... the transfer times can be a pain if you are moving lots of data .... I'd go for wired ethernet but if all you are doing is streaming then it will be adequate.

I'd go for a minimum of 500GB harddisk.

The box you have picked looks very nice .... I do like the screen as well .... having to turn the TV on to do something simple would not be required with one of those ..... so I am envious.

I have SPDIF sound output which goes into a separate amplifier which the feeds the surround sound ..... more expense of course .... but I already had one ....one day I'll look into how to do that with an inbuilt amp.....sorry I can't help more on that.

Vista is definitely the right choice
Mal

[Robski]

Ermm... Can I just draw your attention to the following please?

itidiots.com - Episode 29. Home Theatre Mac Mini

Basically, it's podcast extolling the virtues of the Mac Mini- ignore the ages and ages of a couple of nerds talking bollards to each other, and then concentrate on the good bits that show you what a breeze (and what a blast) it is to set up a Mini as your home video server.


I'm a dyed-in-the-wool Windows type (work etc), but the Mac solution as espoused by this lot really got me thinking and, after watching it, I got the wallet out.

Went out and spent some bucks ( refreshingly few of them), and I have to say I'm utterly delighted. It's all but silent, the UI is great, using Homeplug networking it talks to my XP lump upstairs at an entirely respectable rate,so all the movies I've shared on the XP box are available to me downstairs, and it's just so very easy, My Dad liked it so much, he went out and got the same setup as me and expected me to install it for him free, the tw@t. Good job it's such a piece of cake, and it's not a massive resource hog like Vista is.

Thoroughly recommended.



Rob

[Mal Bridgeman]

If you were wanting to look at non-PCs then I would certainly recommend looking at the Archos TV+. Although their Customer Service is pretty poor, the kit is pretty good, if a little "geeky".

I have the Archos 605 and for video on the go it's brill. The TV+ is essentially the same thing but with no screen.

Mal