Media PC or Home Theater PC (HTPC) Build

drumrolfe · 05-18-2009, 07:21 PM

Hello Everyone!

Great Site. I am happy to be a member of the community.
I would like to start a new discussion about HTPC or Home Theater PCs. Specifically a computer to play media files in the living room!

Here is what I have in mind:

A simple PC Chassis which doesn't demand alot of attention in the living room, which will connect to a SD TV through Component Video and an HDTV through HDMI (for when I upgrade). It doesn't need a lot of storage space, as it will be connecting via ethernet to a server for it's media. A simple DVD drive will suffice for now, and I would prefer Coax or SPDIF audio out. Video needs to support 1080p, and not have A LOT of fan noise. These are the only requirements I can think of besides what I have listed below. There is tons of stuff out there for this type of computer, but I have never found one to fit me like a glove.

Let me know if I missed any aspect of the build! AND Thanks!

Budget: Less than $650.
Brands: Brands are not important to me.
Multitasking: Decoding video and audio during playback.
Gaming: No.
Calculations: Media.
Overclocking: No.
Storage: Small amounts, enough for the OS and applications required. (VLC?)
Legacy Support: No. Unless you consider SPDIF or Component Video as Legacy.
Operating System: XP or Linux is fine
Case: Doesn't have to be a HTPC case, something small without alot of fans.
Accessories: RF remote.
Recycled Components: No.
Monitor: None.
Stores: No Preference.
Location: United States.

Norman D · 05-19-2009, 12:22 AM

Gigabyte Mobo either 780 or latest 790GX type - it comes with HDMI socket and good on board graphics so no need for graphics card

**Net Jockey** · 05-19-2009, 12:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by drumrolfe

Brands are not important to me.

Well...

Edit: But that is your choice.

drumrolfe · 05-20-2009, 03:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Norman D

Gigabyte Mobo either 780 or latest 790GX type - it comes with HDMI socket and good on board graphics so no need for graphics card

I wonder, if using this card- and an add'l graphics card for Standard Def Component out would be worth it. Then removing the add-on card when i need HDMI.

Norman D · 05-20-2009, 07:35 PM

Apprently the HDMI out is the latest HDMI 1.3a version which has definate audio and video. This is the board I'm going to go with - see my thread ( which no-one has replied to yet LOL ).

You shouldn't need a graphics card unless you are intending to game on it aswell, if its purely home theatre and TV then the on board graphics is more than capable.

Tomshardware recommends the 780 chipset, I haven't read much on the 790 chipset yet for HTPC purposes, maybe I'll post up a new thread to see what feedback we get:

780 or 790 chipset for HTPC useage

Norman D · 05-21-2009, 06:13 PM

The only other thing to add here is that I'm not sure what power DVD plays Dolby TrueHD through the HDMI. I have updated my other thread but no-one is answering.

05-18-2009, 07:21 PM	#1 (permalink)
drumrolfe Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Cape Canaveral Posts: 6 OS: Vista x86 SP1, XPSP3 x86, Win7 x64	Media PC or Home Theater PC (HTPC) Build Hello Everyone! Great Site. I am happy to be a member of the community. I would like to start a new discussion about HTPC or Home Theater PCs. Specifically a computer to play media files in the living room! Here is what I have in mind: A simple PC Chassis which doesn't demand alot of attention in the living room, which will connect to a SD TV through Component Video and an HDTV through HDMI (for when I upgrade). It doesn't need a lot of storage space, as it will be connecting via ethernet to a server for it's media. A simple DVD drive will suffice for now, and I would prefer Coax or SPDIF audio out. Video needs to support 1080p, and not have A LOT of fan noise. These are the only requirements I can think of besides what I have listed below. There is tons of stuff out there for this type of computer, but I have never found one to fit me like a glove. Let me know if I missed any aspect of the build! AND Thanks! Budget: Less than $650. Brands: Brands are not important to me. Multitasking: Decoding video and audio during playback. Gaming: No. Calculations: Media. Overclocking: No. Storage: Small amounts, enough for the OS and applications required. (VLC?) Legacy Support: No. Unless you consider SPDIF or Component Video as Legacy. Operating System: XP or Linux is fine Case: Doesn't have to be a HTPC case, something small without alot of fans. Accessories: RF remote. Recycled Components: No. Monitor: None. Stores: No Preference. Location: United States.

05-19-2009, 12:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
Norman D Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 40 OS: Vista Extreme R2	Re: Media PC or Home Theater PC (HTPC) Build Gigabyte Mobo either 780 or latest 790GX type - it comes with HDMI socket and good on board graphics so no need for graphics card __________________ Coolermater CM690 - 6 120mm fans, Gigabyte MA78GM S2H mobo, Phenom 9950 BE, GTX260, Vista Extreme R2 32bit, 4GB Dominator 1066 mhz, 1TB HDD.

05-20-2009, 07:35 PM	#5 (permalink)
Norman D Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 40 OS: Vista Extreme R2	Re: Media PC or Home Theater PC (HTPC) Build Apprently the HDMI out is the latest HDMI 1.3a version which has definate audio and video. This is the board I'm going to go with - see my thread ( which no-one has replied to yet LOL ). You shouldn't need a graphics card unless you are intending to game on it aswell, if its purely home theatre and TV then the on board graphics is more than capable. Tomshardware recommends the 780 chipset, I haven't read much on the 790 chipset yet for HTPC purposes, maybe I'll post up a new thread to see what feedback we get: 780 or 790 chipset for HTPC useage __________________ Coolermater CM690 - 6 120mm fans, Gigabyte MA78GM S2H mobo, Phenom 9950 BE, GTX260, Vista Extreme R2 32bit, 4GB Dominator 1066 mhz, 1TB HDD. Last edited by Norman D; 05-20-2009 at 07:39 PM.

05-21-2009, 06:13 PM	#6 (permalink)
Norman D Registered User Join Date: Mar 2009 Posts: 40 OS: Vista Extreme R2	Re: Media PC or Home Theater PC (HTPC) Build The only other thing to add here is that I'm not sure what power DVD plays Dolby TrueHD through the HDMI. I have updated my other thread but no-one is answering. __________________ Coolermater CM690 - 6 120mm fans, Gigabyte MA78GM S2H mobo, Phenom 9950 BE, GTX260, Vista Extreme R2 32bit, 4GB Dominator 1066 mhz, 1TB HDD.