Computer tech friends! make me some recommendations! HTPC/barebones/halp

[Timmy Ford]

So! Not the most computer savvy guy here!. I am wanting a bare-bones sort of HTPC. I will be using this for two things mainly...Karaoke and streaming movies. The HDMI from the HTPC will go into a receiver in my A/V room. I am under the impression that I don't need a graphic or sound card since I am running into the receiver?.

So, does anyone know of a good pre-made HTPC with these specs or should I just build it myself?. What I need is a motherboard, processor, blue ray, ram, power supply, hard drives....any recommendations!.....need to have it up and running plus learn some fairly intricate karaoke software by next Friday. I have done much research but I am afraid to pull the trigger I suppose....need some coaxing LUL'S.

THX IN ADVANCE!

 

[Recycled]

It makes me nervous when You say You won't need a video card or sound card because it's running into the A/V receiver. Do You mean that You can get by with onboard video and sound (that come built into the motherboard?) You will need outputs for video and audio (probably by HDMI, but possibly by optical digital audio.) Those can come from video and sound "cards" that are built into the motherboard, or they can come from discrete (removable) video and sound add-on cards.

Rather than look at a HTPC, I'd look at a HDMP (High-Definition Media Player, or HDMP.) They can do everything a PC can, for much less money. The only thing I'm not sure of is the Karaoke part. If Karaoke is just playing a voice-less track and singing, then any HDMP would work. I think Karaoke usually involves singing into a microphone while audio plays, and mixing them together. I'm sure some HDMPs do that, or You could buy a separate mixer. If You want to record Your voice with the audio, then that's something I am unfamiliar with.

HDMPs can play video, sound, and display pictures from any media (memory cards, USB flash drives, USB hard disks, SATA hard disks, SATA DVD/BD drives, etc.) The can surf the web via Wi-Fi or wired-in Ethernet. They can play YouTube videos. Most of the Android-based HDMPs can install apps, though the app stores vary. They can stream content from the cloud, or from Your local area network. Many can run FTP, Bit Torrent, and other such protocols to download content. HDMPs vary, and not all of them can do all of this, but a decent $70-$230 HDMP can probably do everything You want.

--Andy

 

[siddharthmukul007]

if you don't wish to buy a gpu, go for these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113331

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131882

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233170

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182131

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236624

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136269


the built looks really neat

 

[Timmy Ford]

It makes me nervous when You say You won't need a video card or sound card because it's running into the A/V receiver. Do You mean that You can get by with onboard video and sound (that come built into the motherboard?) You will need outputs for video and audio (probably by HDMI, but possibly by optical digital audio.) Those can come from video and sound "cards" that are built into the motherboard, or they can come from discrete (removable) video and sound add-on cards.

Rather than look at a HTPC, I'd look at a HDMP (High-Definition Media Player, or HDMP.) They can do everything a PC can, for much less money. The only thing I'm not sure of is the Karaoke part. If Karaoke is just playing a voice-less track and singing, then any HDMP would work. I think Karaoke usually involves singing into a microphone while audio plays, and mixing them together. I'm sure some HDMPs do that, or You could buy a separate mixer. If You want to record Your voice with the audio, then that's something I am unfamiliar with.

HDMPs can play video, sound, and display pictures from any media (memory cards, USB flash drives, USB hard disks, SATA hard disks, SATA DVD/BD drives, etc.) The can surf the web via Wi-Fi or wired-in Ethernet. They can play YouTube videos. Most of the Android-based HDMPs can install apps, though the app stores vary. They can stream content from the cloud, or from Your local area network. Many can run FTP, Bit Torrent, and other such protocols to download content. HDMPs vary, and not all of them can do all of this, but a decent $70-$230 HDMP can probably do everything You want.

--Andy

Recycled that's what I was told here and it kind of makes sense I would think? the motherboard will have HDMI out and that's all I need I think. A motherboard with on board graphics...the motherboard as far as I know will also send the audio signal to my receiver, that's what I was told anyhow, makes sense to me. BTW, not looking to skimp on anything, was looking to be in 1,000 dollar range for this build but the more research I do the more it looks as if I can do the build for 500.

 

[Timmy Ford]

if you don't wish to buy a gpu, go for these:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819113331

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813131882

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820233170

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817182131

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822236624

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827136269


the built looks really neat

THX!...I'll check em out

 

[Timmy Ford]

I should add that my microphone is being ran through a compressor and a Presonus audiobox interface via USB. I have always wondered if USB vs mic jack makes any difference in quality? If I do not have a sound card, there will be no mic jack I presume.

 

[siddharthmukul007]

if you want to use a mic....you will need to get a professional sound card,most of them do have a dedicated mic jack.

as for USB vs mic jack....there is nothing muck of a difference (you will need an absolute absolute audiophile to make the difference out)

 

[Timmy Ford]

if you want to use a mic....you will need to get a professional sound card,most of them do have a dedicated mic jack.

as for USB vs mic jack....there is nothing muck of a difference (you will need an absolute absolute audiophile to make the difference out)

Will need a soundcard....thx. Not a graphics card though.

 

[siddharthmukul007]

u are welcome