How To: Build An HTPC (With Windows 7)

[justjedf]

i want to buy this -
http://www.noiselimit.com/sw/frontend/show.asp?parent=179090&layout=0

anyone know how/where?

 

[neiroatopelcc]

[citation][nom]justjedf[/nom]i want to buy this -http://www.noiselimit.com/sw/front [...] 0&layout=0anyone know how/where?[/citation]
I'd get a 4-500grams tower cooler with heatpipes. instead if I were you.
"Lightweight all aluminum design weighing only 280 grams " the all aluminum part is not feature, but a problem.

Would be cool if you could get the all copper scythe ninja, and have it stick out the chassis - but then that might just be my hotrod htcp dream...

 

[jsturgis]

I wanted to say that powerdvd 9 solves the annoying problem of not being able to play blu-rays from within media center. It's a much better product than powerdvd 8. On a side note, I can't imagine that built in amplification (MS-4140) sounds very good and it must produce a lot of unwanted heat. Looking at the specs on newegg they only list the peak wattage of 100 watts. The amp probably puts out much less RMS wattage. Just my 2 cents.

 

[neiroatopelcc]

[citation][nom]jsturgis[/nom]The amp probably puts out much less RMS wattage. Just my 2 cents.[/citation]
You're probably right, but still I'm not convinced it's actually bad. You do have a point with regards to heat I suppose, but still.
I've got a sherwood surround amp powering my system, and that delivers 105w peak - and is still able to move a set of 15" bass units enough to make stuff rattle in the other end of the house. I'm sure they could play louder if I still had my old technics class a amp - but the point is, that even a meager 100w peak does move a lot of air in some cases.

 

[Milleman]

Forget the HTPC!
A "Dreambox DM 8000 HD PVR DVD" is all that you need!

http://www.satwell.com/opis.php?id=343&l=2&w=1
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-nBmNHHxNiA

 

[Guest]

You asked about using a touch screen enabled remote control with the Windows 7 Media Center.

It is in fact possible after a fashion. My personnal HTPC setup is fairly standard (HTPC connected to an amplifier which includes audio and video connectivity), however I use a PDA as a remote control. The PDA is a DELL Axim x51v and uses Wifi connectivity to control the Windows 7 Media Center.

It took me some time to get the system running (mainly Wifi and domain integration issues with the PDA) but once it does work, its just great.

Effectively what really is happening with my setup is that the PDA is running remote desktop software to the HTPC and allowing me to control it seamlessly.

Of course some playing around with settings is required to get the most out of it!

 

[tempelife]

Why do all these articles talk about replacing a "$5/month DVR." Satellite? But doesn't Direct and Dish tag you for about $15 for a 2nd DVR. Cox Phoenix is brutal $18/mo. HD DVR, $12/mo. SD DVR, and absurd $5 fee per DVR to have the ability to record. Uhhhh, isn't that what the monthly DVR rental fees are for.

Unless you're ready to spend, HTPC problems are endless if you want to record encryped conent, which is the holly grail for me and many others.
1) Try building it yourself. The Biggest hurdle is getting the PID (2nd serial number for windows), which is OEM only. There is a PID floating around (hint: EngadgetnetHD.com or the theGreenButton.com). However, MS has the ability to shut it off at any time, which they probably will eventually. Some people have suggested finding a PID from a picture of an HTPC on Ebay (hint" back of computer but many sellers intentionally black it out). You also need an OCUR motherboard with a populated OSFR. You can buy this aftermarket, but have to figure out that the board you're getting is compliant (preferably before you buy). Of course, OCUR is unidirectional, so it's only one way communication. Then you may have to (depending on cable company) convince them that you have an CableLabs certified HTPC to get the CableCards (if they need to roll to your house and rip you off for a $50 install of some cards). You could always buy a cheap Dell 420 XPS sticker and slap it on your box. At least M-Cards (multiple streams - record more than 1 show at once) are finally out, but good luck finding hardware that supports that.

2) Of course you can just buy a HTPC from an OEM, and you if want a rather nice one, you're gonna drop $2K such as for a Velocity Micro.


So CableLabs is basically a scam. They are anti-DIY partially because they are afraid of support issues and the emergency broadcasting system. Really? Maybe I'm naive, but I want to know if it has ever saved someone's life. OMG, what if something happens, and I'm not watching TV. All, I see are flood warnings and testing interuppting my shows at 2am.

If you're lucky, you can find a Dell 420 XPS for $700, and then buy another DCT for $200 for dual recording. But Dell has the audacity to use BTX, so you're stuck using their tower chassis because there really aren't any killer BTX HTPC chassis (wish there was). Or you can pay around $1K for an HP (forget the model number), which is ATX, then gut the box.

True2Way cards are starting to come onto the market, which is BOCR, so they are bidirectional. There is a rumor floating around about the Dish project named DRACO, and will be integrated into Windows 7. It is my fantasy (as many are speculating) that you can have your very own DIY HTPC with Dish. So, I'm hoding out. If Dish dissappoints, I'll probably just wait until the BOCR CableLabs certified HTPC are out. Not to mention USB 3.0 should be out later this year if you care to have a USB 3.0 Mobo (much faster than 2.0). The point is that DISH and Microsoft are both probably very willing. Especially since Dish is being killed by Direct in subscription numbers. Dish will not have to deal with CableLabs (big bonus). The only hurdle seems to be the willingness or lack thereof of content providers.

 

[etrnl_frost]

Dual Tuner or not, lack of an internal card that I can put into an HTPC of my own that can take the silly stupid proprietary signals from the coax means that I am forced to use a DVR to get all those channels that the fiancee wants to watch. It's one of the reasons why I removed the tuner cards from my HTPC a few weeks ago, turning into a glorified business desktop with a giant monitor 🙁

I realize there are cards out there that can take cablecards, but then I'm buying the PC as is, and I'm not shoving whatever the crap I want in there. Kind of ruins the purpose...

 

[berman28]

Here are some of the things I would like to see discussed in your next review:

- Compare different operating systems. Linux's MythTV is supposed to be very good. But if you do that and have another Windows machine how hard is it to network them for file sharing (with SAMBA?)? And there are some applications that are for sale out there. It would be nice to get reviews one them as well. Or stay with Window's Vista?

- You should rate all of the various tv tuner cards out there that one can buy. And note if they are compatible with Linux.

- Should you do a all-in-one system or create a front end and a back end?

- How about reviewing the different case choices out there? There are lots of them. What should you looks for when buying one (e.g. a volume knob on the case)?

- Do you need a video card or can you go with on-board graphics on the mother board?

- Which motherboards are best for an HTPC?

- What if you already have a stereo? Do you just run an optical/digital cable out to it for you sound? I don't want to have to buy a whole new system to get sound out to my speakers.

- I am interested in building an HTPC so I can dump my cable subscription and get it over the air. I would like to see that discussed.

- How about playing different file formats. I currently stream video to my tv through my xbox 360, but it doesn't support all file formats. Will the different operating systems support all file formats so this isn't an issue anymore?

- I have never set up an IR remote blaster. I would like to understand this better. Ideally, I want to be able to use my logitech univeral remote to control everything. I don't want to have to keep a keyboard out on my coffee table.

- Can you build a fanless sytem to keep noise down? Is that a good idea?

- How about heat management?

I would love to seea guide come out soon as I am thinking of building an HTPC this summer.

Thanks!

 

[fuermich99]

I have been running Vista Media Center for a year now, and have just tried Windows 7 Ultimate with Media Center for kicks. There seems to be a few tricks to getting 7 to play nice, but all in all not bad.

I did a lot of research to finally build my htpc. Some of it was trial and error, pure and not so simple. I have tried MythTV, MythBuntu, Media Portal, GB PVR, BeyondTV, Sage, and others. I eventually tried Vista Media center and kept it. I put up some info on my website, along with links to where I found some good hardware suggestions, etc. http://www.rumblegate.com ...

I found that you have to get a good balance between cpu and gpu. My vista box is an Athlon64 5200+, with an NVidia 8500GT passively cooled video card. The case is extremely important in keeping it cool, but it also has to be quiet. I chose an Antec case for that.

I am testing out an AMD 4850e cpu paired with a 780g motherboard, running Windows 7. So far, it does just fine. I do not have a bluray drive though, so I cannot comment on it. I have found OTA HD content to stress the system though, and a lower end low-power athlon would not cut it with the 780g. Maybe if it had the sideport memory, it would be better.

Anyway, here are my HTPC stats: http://rumblegate.com/?page_id=9
Here are links to HTPC resources: http://rumblegate.com/?page_id=36

When the wife gets into the HTPC, and stops using TIVO, you know you have a good system. It did take her a while to do that, but we are now selling it after being a TIVO customer for almost 5 years...

 

[jadawgis732]

please stop using so many acronym, it kills me to not know what an edp is, so I highlight, right click, search google for "edp", after about 7 seconds i have my answer, but multiply that by the number of people who like me, need to know. I think writing it out might save us all a little time. 7 seconds seems like forever in 2009 tho, doesn't it?