Author Topic: Share your HTPC Setup (Read 343108 times)

bng · « **Reply #120 on:** Aug 25, 2003 at 08:41 PM »

Ey JPADUA u stil use the TheaterTek? i have the full version of PowerDVD4 with DTS, PrologicII and more.. u can download it FREE..

i cant wait to get the full version of Powerdvd5

anyways try to use YXY software its great so u can manipulate the screen size and screen location of ur dvd softwares...

bng · « **Reply #121 on:** Aug 25, 2003 at 09:24 PM »

:: HTPC SETUP ::

Athlon XP2000
Asus A7V8X-X
512MB
80GB Seagate
Audigy 2 THX
PixelView TV card
LG DVD /CDRW 32/10/40
ATI RADEON VE > soon to be 9200
Gyration RF Mouse and Keyboard 4 HTPC

:: Speakers ::

Mission M72i > Fronts
Mission M7ds> Rear
MIssion Mc1i> Center

:: Amplifier ::

Rotel RB985 THX Certified 5Channel

:: Wires ::

Puresonic

:: Softwares ::

Theatertek
PowerDVD4
WinDVD Platinum
YXY
Powerstip
Region Killer

:: LCD PROJECTOR ::
TPZ Videoball Toshiba

:: Screen ::
Da Lite

:: Remote ::
RCA Universal Remote LCD Touch Screen
Invoca Voice Activated Universal Remote

YrNeH · « **Reply #122 on:** Aug 26, 2003 at 12:07 AM »

Here's my partial setup (kabubuo ko lang)

Pentium4 2.4C 800Mhz FSB
ASUS P4P800 Deluxe Motherboard w/ SPDIF-out
2 x 256 PC3200 DDR in Dual DDR400 config
80GB Seagate Serial-ATA
256MB Powercolor Radeon 9200-powered by ATI
Logitech Navigator Trio (Cordless KB & optical mouse and webcam)
17" MAGView Flat CRT Monitor
Liteon 52x52x32 CD writer

**no Soundblaster Audigy yet, will try first the sound output from the built-in 6-channel audio of the motherboard.

'will post pics soon.

JayPadua, pwede bang magpatulong kung paano i-setup itong video card ko para i-output sa pixel plus tv (like yours) via VGA cable. Also, what good softwares to use for HTPC...thanks in advance.

Shalom

jpadua · « **Reply #123 on:** Aug 26, 2003 at 08:10 AM »

Quote from: bng on Aug 25, 2003 at 08:41 PM

Ey JPADUA u stil use the TheaterTek? i have the full version of PowerDVD4 with DTS, PrologicII and more.. u can download it FREE..

i cant wait to get the full version of Powerdvd5

anyways try to use YXY software its great so u can manipulate the screen size and screen location of ur dvd softwares...

Hey BNG long time no see, here at PDVD

musta na... yeah I still use theatretek, removed all my other soft DVD players. Ok ba talaga ang PowerDVD 4? I like theatretek cause it takes the whole screen, sort of like a real DVD player. Cge PM kita

Quote from: YrNeH on Aug 26, 2003 at 12:07 AM

Here's my partial setup (kabubuo ko lang)

Pentium4 2.4C 800Mhz FSB
ASUS P4P800 Deluxe Motherboard w/ SPDIF-out
2 x 256 PC3200 DDR in Dual DDR400 config
80GB Seagate Serial-ATA
256MB Powercolor Radeon 9200-powered by ATI
Logitech Navigator Trio (Cordless KB & optical mouse and webcam)
17" MAGView Flat CRT Monitor
Liteon 52x52x32 CD writer

**no Soundblaster Audigy yet, will try first the sound output from the built-in 6-channel audio of the motherboard.

'will post pics soon.

JayPadua, pwede bang magpatulong kung paano i-setup itong video card ko para i-output sa pixel plus tv (like yours) via VGA cable. Also, what good softwares to use for HTPC...thanks in advance.

Shalom

Hi Yrneh Cool Setup by the way! you probably wont need a sound card since may spdif na yung board mo. Direct digital signals na yun so it doesnt matter kung galing sa audigy or your mobo yung signal... its the same signal.

Checkout how to setup your TV for HD resolution post ko a while back to setup powerstrip.
http://www.pinoydvd.com/yabbse/index.php?board=17;action=display;threadid=13274;start=20

Softwares to use.
Theatertek + FFD show... great combination
Powerstrip of course (essential) connecting through the VGA port of your Pixel plus
Girder for remote control automaiton if you have an IR port
Region Free or Region Killer

Oh and dont forget you need a Male to Male VGA cable.. a bit hard to come by.. but I saw a couple of them being sold in SOS for 500

jpadua · « **Reply #124 on:** Aug 26, 2003 at 08:19 AM »

Hey has anyone heard of the Chaintech 7NIF2? I was surfing the web for a mobo for a low profile case, and I found this. It's Micro ATX SFF, It uses NForce2, has USB2.0, 10/100 Lan controler, IR header, S-video out and S/pdif out. The great thing about it is that, you just slap on a Processor and Memory and you will be up an running already.

I was also looking at the new ATI IGP boards (the ATI counter part of NForce) Looks cool but so far only the P4 boards, have the s-video and spdif outputs, and uses the 9200 core for the graphics, the AMD boards that use the ATI IGP only uses the 7000 core. Well lets wait and see, I'm sure may lalabas din na 9200 core for AMD Proc. that would have both s-video and s/dif outputs

johndoe · « **Reply #125 on:** Aug 26, 2003 at 10:32 AM »

how about its price?

jpadua · « **Reply #126 on:** Aug 26, 2003 at 10:42 AM »

Quote from: johndoe on Aug 26, 2003 at 10:32 AM

how about its price?

Yun nga eh, naghahanap ako kung meron na dito.. have to go to greenhills soon

bng · « **Reply #127 on:** Aug 26, 2003 at 02:21 PM »

Quote from: jpadua on Aug 26, 2003 at 08:10 AM

Hey BNG long time no see, here at PDVD musta na... yeah I still use theatretek, removed all my other soft DVD players. Ok ba talaga ang PowerDVD 4? I like theatretek cause it takes the whole screen, sort of like a real DVD player.

I kinda like PowerDVD4 when it comes to sounds kasi im not using spdif
u can also take the whole screen with it if u use YXY http://www.keohi.com/keohihdtv/htpc/yxy/yxy.html

try it, its great

jpadua · « **Reply #128 on:** Aug 26, 2003 at 02:38 PM »

Quote from: bng on Aug 26, 2003 at 02:21 PM

I kinda like PowerDVD4 when it comes to sounds kasi im not using spdif
u can also take the whole screen with it if u use YXY http://www.keohi.com/keohihdtv/htpc/yxy/yxy.html

try it, its great

I remember downloading YXY before.. couldnt get the hang of it lang heheheh... but I know its a cool program

bardigones · « **Reply #129 on:** Aug 29, 2003 at 03:30 PM »

jay,

baka di mo magustuhan yung onboard graphics nung nforce2. i think u would still use your radeon para doon, anyway meron naman siyang agp port.

i bought an nforce2 (8rda+) coz of its MCPT onboard sound. okay naman siya, pero im looking for the crunch and clarity nung mga creative cards. im also using a gf4mx440-8x.

im quite satisfied right now naman.

jpadua · « **Reply #130 on:** Aug 29, 2003 at 03:40 PM »

bardigones, actually if I'm just goin to use as a standalone HTPC, not for gaming, I guess ok na yan, as long as I can use powerstrip. The MX400 has a Mpeg2 harware decoder so I'm sure it will have no problem displaying DVDs.

moonshow · « **Reply #131 on:** Aug 29, 2003 at 10:10 PM »

heres my pc specs

athlon xp 1.7
256 ddr
radeon ve
sb live
samsung dvd 16x
sony cdrw drive
15 inch mag monitor

win xp
power dvd xp

im planning to buy a used 21" monitor from eqmi, is it advisable to purchase 2nd hand monitors?the performance/dvd playback in my pc is ok. but the screen is too small and also the budget for a bigger one. has anyone tried the diy projector?

bng · « **Reply #132 on:** Aug 30, 2003 at 01:22 PM »

Quote from: moonshow on Aug 29, 2003 at 10:10 PM

heres my pc specs

athlon xp 1.7
256 ddr
radeon ve
sb live
samsung dvd 16x
sony cdrw drive
15 inch mag monitor

win xp
power dvd xp

im planning to buy a used 21" monitor from eqmi, is it advisable to purchase 2nd hand monitors?the performance/dvd playback in my pc is ok. but the screen is too small and also the budget for a bigger one. has anyone tried the diy projector?

Hi.. why buy a monitor if u can hook up your ATI VE in your TV?

You can connect the svideo out to ur tv then the 15 inch monitor sa vga out mo

so u can switch from monitor to tv anytime.. but if u want to get 21inch because of gaming then its ok but the video card u are using is not good for gaming..

But its gud 4 DVD playbacks because Radeon VE supports hardware accelerated motion compensation IDCT

If u want to buy 2nd hand monitor its also ok naman if u don't want to spend for a new one especially with 21" because that would be very expensive if its brandnew, just make sure the store gives u 3months warranty

Regarding DIY projector.. i wouldnt suggest it if u will be really using it for your home theater.. unless u like to build diy projects for fun then go ahead.

the problem kasi with the DIY projector is the following:
1. space- most diy projector is big
2. parts- its hard to find the right parts in the Philippines
3. time- it takes time to build it.
4. Keystone- it would be hard to position the projector in the wall bec it has to face directly to the wall with the right height and lenght.

if u want to have a decent projector for less than 20,000
just look for 2nd hand projectors like sony cpj100.
if u want to get an old model but new ranging from 30,000 to 45,000 go to harizon plaza sa image audio / video store

bng · « **Reply #133 on:** Aug 30, 2003 at 01:35 PM »

Ey JP have u seen http://www.mini-itx.com/
u like to build DIY projects hehe u should really try the mini-itx.. how i wish they have this here in the Philippines.

there's this guy there who made an HTPC for his car
check it out:)

bng · « **Reply #134 on:** Aug 30, 2003 at 01:42 PM »

Quote from: jpadua on Aug 29, 2003 at 03:40 PM

bardigones, actually if I'm just goin to use as a standalone HTPC, not for gaming, I guess ok na yan, as long as I can use powerstrip. The MX400 has a Mpeg2 harware decoder so I'm sure it will have no problem displaying DVDs.

What processor are u planning to use for this? kasi kung wala sya IDCT it will depend on ur processor

jpadua · « **Reply #135 on:** Sep 01, 2003 at 08:09 AM »

Quote from: bng on Aug 30, 2003 at 01:42 PM

What processor are u planning to use for this? kasi kung wala sya IDCT it will depend on ur processor

Hi BNG, actually plano ko was to use an Athlon 2400 or 2600... pero its all plans lang.. I'm really waiting for the ATI 9200 IGP to come out with an Athlon Version. Panay P4 palang nakita kong Mini ATX na Ati9200 IGP.

bardigones · « **Reply #136 on:** Sep 01, 2003 at 08:35 AM »

di ako sure pero i havent heard of any rumors na ATI will have an AMD-based chipset (yung bago ha).

and jay, alam ko pwede mo alisin yung bracket ng video card mo so it will fit in an HTPC case. yung sa palit daytona mx440 ko, they even supplied a smaller bracket, that have holes for svideo vga and rca.

YrNeH · « **Reply #137 on:** Sep 01, 2003 at 09:56 AM »

Quote from: bardigones on Sep 01, 2003 at 08:35 AM

and jay, alam ko pwede mo alisin yung bracket ng video card mo so it will fit in an HTPC case. yung sa palit daytona mx440 ko, they even supplied a smaller bracket, that have holes for svideo vga and rca.

yung 128mb model ng video card ko has that low-profile option:

http://www.power-color.com/r92le-c3.htm

JayPadua, thanks for the tips and i already got powerstrip 3.45. meron bang site na pwedeng i-download ang theatertek?

jpadua · « **Reply #138 on:** Sep 01, 2003 at 10:17 AM »

Quote from: YrNeH on Sep 01, 2003 at 09:56 AM

yung 128mb model ng video card ko has that low-profile option:

http://www.power-color.com/r92le-c3.htm

JayPadua, thanks for the tips and i already got powerstrip 3.45. meron bang site na pwedeng i-download ang theatertek?

yeah low profile na 9200se, ganda nga yun... yung sa theatertek.. wala akong alam na download except sa www.theatertek.com you have to purchase online though.

jpadua · « **Reply #139 on:** Sep 02, 2003 at 08:14 AM »

Hi! YrNeH, kamusta na yung pixel plus mo? I was fiddling around with powerstrip and my pixel plus, and I must say.. I was even able to get a much better picture!

how does 1920x1080i sound???

While fiddling around with powerstrip advanced configuration, I set my resolution to 1920x1080i... yup it filled the screen since the pixelplus is 4:3 and not 16:9 (pictures looked streched vertically)...I was just clicking down the total lines under the vertical geometry just trying to find the limit when my TV will black out (or shall I say blue out heheh), the TV clicked.. and suddenly my desktop was in widescreen (black bars top and bottom)! I dont need to press vertical squeeze on the TV anymore to reveal the ugly white line sa taas. There was a little overscan so I just adjusted the horizontal front and back porches and horizontal scanrate (khz).

Now I've got full screen with no overscan, no need for vertical squeeze on the TV and get full pixels of 1920x1080i. Suhweeeet! It still seems a bit vertically streched but just by very little... a little adjustment lang sa theatertek aspect ratio using the THX calibration disc and I was done!

I thought I reached the limit when I got 1620x1080... but I'm so much happier with 1920x1080i... by the way I did the same technique in getting 920x540p in widescreen. So I can switch to progressive scan with a hotkey.

Suhweeet!!!

chronic · « **Reply #140 on:** Sep 15, 2003 at 04:45 PM »

TIGHT!!!

jpadua · « **Reply #141 on:** Sep 23, 2003 at 09:08 AM »

To all HTPC enthusiasts, there is a new HTPC site on the web. News, downloads, software and hardware reviews specifically focused on HTPC use. Check it out here.
http://www.htpcnews.com

BTW I designed the site layout.

You can help us too! if you find any news, reviews, or anything related to Home Theater PCs, please send a URL to [email protected]!

Jackryan, thanks for that bit about the motion compensation for PCs, I had them put up a link

help us grow this great resource!
Thanks!

Cheers!

Jay

stradale · « **Reply #142 on:** Sep 24, 2003 at 03:25 PM »

Need your advise guys. Want to add another 256MB of DDR to my home PC. Currently have a 256 MB, 333MHz Kingmax installed. Now I've been advised to look for the same brand of memory kasi daw if I install another brand like say Kingston or Apacer, I'll get errors. Is this true kaya? Wala na kasi akong makitang Kingmax 333 sa mga PC stores.

BTW, I'm using an MSI P4 board with the Sis 645 chipset.

jambam · « **Reply #143 on:** Sep 26, 2003 at 08:46 PM »

Here's is what my new setup going to be

It's a shuttle SN45G Nforce 2 SFF , soundstorm certified MB, setup will be 2400XP cpu , 512 MB Ram , 160 GB Maxtor 8mb cache 7200 Hard Disk , video card either an ATI AIW 8500DV or 9700 NP ....

Just got the barebones last night hopefully I can setup during the weekend

Qman · « **Reply #144 on:** Sep 26, 2003 at 09:11 PM »

Nice setup jambam, sa pinas mo ba nabili iyan pede malaman ang price at kung saan?

jambam · « **Reply #145 on:** Sep 26, 2003 at 09:29 PM »

qman, got it thru elektroniksdepot , here is the thread...

http://www.elektroniksdepot.com/forum/viewtopic.php?t=30

I can recomend them ok is bong....

Qman · « **Reply #146 on:** Sep 26, 2003 at 09:44 PM »

thanks jambam sa link
pag natapos mo iset up papost na lang ng iyong komento.

jambam · « **Reply #147 on:** Sep 26, 2003 at 10:16 PM »

actually this is my 3rd nforce 2 setup , i am just changing the form factor to a smaller one , one of my other setups is a lian li pc9300 desktop case also w/ nf2 . it should perform similarly...

Qman · « **Reply #148 on:** Sep 27, 2003 at 06:29 PM »

jambam tanong uli,

bakit mo pinalitan mo ng Shuttle ang ibang HTPC mo? at saka maraming model ang shuttle bakit itong SN45G?

tenks

jambam · « **Reply #149 on:** Sep 27, 2003 at 09:45 PM »

The Lian Li 9300 is very nice but , i just don't have the proper space for it . too long to fit on top of my RPTV and also on the table of my projector... It's Ideal if you have the right space for it w/c I don't have. I am thinking of selling it but it's a one of a kind case, and I put a lot of effort it getting it too..

Match sana siya sa Philips na Pixel Plus stand , kaso di ko tinuloy pagbili ng pixel + kasi naayos na ang toshiba RPTV ko.

I like AMD , since it's value for money that's why I choose the SN45G... also the soundstorm is so convinent for me. The SN61B ( Intel 865 PE) is also available but it would cost me at least a P25K adder, as this one is more expensive + 10K for the cpu + 7K for 400 fsb ddr ram, for that money I can get another SN45G w/c I might.

Also first choice ko talaga ito, it was the SN42G2 pa nga , but just could not get it from the local dealer, ayaw nila ipasok, this one looks better but a bit more expensive and also the built in video at higher resolutions is not very good.

Late ko na discover ang elektroniks depot.

Finish na setup ko ng SN45G , Tahimik siya ,magaan , and can fit in the places I would like to put it. sa top ng RPTV at table ng projector.