Author Topic: Share your HTPC Setup (Read 342322 times)

jpadua · « **Reply #1200 on:** Apr 25, 2007 at 12:59 PM »

Quote from: av_phile1 on Apr 25, 2007 at 12:42 PM

I understand the LG drive indicated is a dual-format drive and quite expensive. Will check that site for the parts. Thanks.

But if there's anyone who has built his HTPC locally for high definition, I'd like to hear. Thanks.

Have you found a BD drive to use? to what I know BD drives cost about 30K and the Xbox HD drive costs around 10k... some people have had success using an Xbox HD drive, but only to read the disc, no playback... they rip the HD movie into the hard drive.

YrNeH · « **Reply #1201 on:** Apr 26, 2007 at 07:38 AM »

gday jay and htpc gurus. i just want to know what video card can do a 1:1 mapping on my WXGA plasma (1365 x 768) ? thanks

ericag_ph · « **Reply #1202 on:** Apr 26, 2007 at 10:38 AM »

I think its a resolution supported by [newer] ATI cards...just download the latest drivers. I have an X700 (2-3 yrs old) and it gives me 1360x768
without any other tweaks. I am not too sure about nVidia.

Quote from: YrNeH on Apr 26, 2007 at 07:38 AM

gday jay and htpc gurus. i just want to know what video card can do a 1:1 mapping on my WXGA plasma (1365 x 768) ? thanks

agmjr · « **Reply #1203 on:** Apr 26, 2007 at 11:08 AM »

Quote from: rmpmla on Mar 20, 2007 at 06:52 AM

to those who asked/PM about the widescreen LCD, the seller is again selling used 26" widescreen LCD for only P14,900.

check this out - http://www.openpinoy.com/shop/step1.php?number=749

good luck

sir rmpmla,

just bought one of this at open pinoy. kamusta yung unit nyo sir...how did you wall mounted it?
ty

av_phile1 · « **Reply #1204 on:** Apr 26, 2007 at 12:59 PM »

Quote from: jpadua on Apr 25, 2007 at 12:59 PM

Have you found a BD drive to use? to what I know BD drives cost about 30K and the Xbox HD drive costs around 10k... some people have had success using an Xbox HD drive, but only to read the disc, no playback... they rip the HD movie into the hard drive.

The LG model is dual format so it plays BD an HD DVD, but there's also the 360 add-on via USB I suppose. My colleague tells me those NAS external drives will house the ripped titles. So that's why the spec calls for 6 terabytes of hard drives.

john5479 · « **Reply #1205 on:** Apr 26, 2007 at 05:09 PM »

hope the buffalo branded nas is cheaper because the lacie branded one is pretty spendy already.

CocoBoy · « **Reply #1206 on:** May 07, 2007 at 01:24 PM »

I have about 50-60K to burn for an updated pc set-up and would like to go thru a simple HTPC route that I can also use for my PJ. Or laptop na lang kunin ko? Any advise on rig specs sana would be helpful kasi ang dami ng selection ko especially the mboard, video and sound card, etc. Thanks.

ericag_ph · « **Reply #1207 on:** May 08, 2007 at 12:34 PM »

Check out my secondary setup (bedroom).
http://pinoydvd.com/board/index.php?topic=55046.0

An HTPC is attached to a 40" LCD via VGA. What's cool here is that the HTPC is also a media center.
It's connected to the internet 24x7 via router+DSL modem (my house has lan cabling built into the walls), wireless is fine, but way slower than good old copper cabling. The downloaded stuff (semi-HD quality) from torrents can be played by the HTPC and displayed on the LCD without the need to burn it to a DVDr. It also has a video capture card w/ firewire cable so you can make your own DVDs from a DVcamcorder. Even a bio-microscope (with CCD camera) is attached to it, I can display on the HTPC or on the 40" LCD.

Those 80 peso 8-in-1/complete season in one disk f*kes are too ugly to play on a 40"...hence the reason why I
download these days.

HTPC Specs:
Intel E6300 Core 2 Duo processor
512MB RAM (more than sufficient if just playing DVDs/avi/divx/etc...).
3pcs HDD drives (lots of storage for the huge downloads...a 1 hour episode is typically 350MB).
..and if you rip DVDs...well a disk is about 4.7GB
ATI X700 128MB video card (more than sufficient if just playing DVDs/avi/divx/etc...).

I use the motherboard's built-in sound card (you can choose a better sound card then output 5.1 to a receiver/amp). But since most of my downloads are TV series...stereo is fine

in fact I just use the TV's built-in speakers...though most of the time I like to use the headphones.

Preferred DVD Software: PowerDVD player (video quality) is noticeably better than WinDVD, GhostX.

That's the plain and simple route which I am content with. Just play on the HTPC at the display2 (the LCD TV) resolution you need (ie. 1360x768@60Hz) to match the supported display2 resolution.

The newer (P20K-30K expensive) video cards I believe have hdmi outputs (not just DVI).
VGA is fine on a 40" display.

If you start processing video streams with software like FFDshow, etc... then the more powerful HTPC machine you have the better. I found this too tedious and unstable (crashes a lot) on my old laptop HTPC. The output obtained
wasn't worth the extra effort in getting this running stable.

Quote from: CocoBoy on May 07, 2007 at 01:24 PM

I have about 50-60K to burn for an updated pc set-up and would like to go thru a simple HTPC route that I can also use for my PJ. Or laptop na lang kunin ko? Any advise on rig specs sana would be helpful kasi ang dami ng selection ko especially the mboard, video and sound card, etc. Thanks.

CocoBoy · « **Reply #1208 on:** May 09, 2007 at 08:48 AM »

Salamat bro, are there optical drives already that can read BD and HD DVD or software lang kelagan to read this hi def discs? I'll try to configure hardware specs and post it here for comments.

Regards and great set-up, really. Galeng!!!

ericag_ph · « **Reply #1209 on:** May 09, 2007 at 09:54 AM »

For BD and HD DVD discs...you will need hardware (optical drives) for that...I haven't seen any locally...nor have I seen any BD or HD discs locally.

If you download it...you might be okay with a codec.

Haven't tried, since BD and HD content isn't that available(to me at least).

Right now, my view on BD and HD is to wait (1-3 years) until content/titles becomes more accessible/available.

Based on your questions...I'd go with a desktop PC rather than laptop. You'll be able to do more on a desktop cheaply and easily (add hardware).

Quote from: CocoBoy on May 09, 2007 at 08:48 AM

Salamat bro, are there optical drives already that can read BD and HD DVD or software lang kelagan to read this hi def discs? I'll try to configure hardware specs and post it here for comments.

Regards and great set-up, really. Galeng!!!

av_phile1 · « **Reply #1210 on:** May 11, 2007 at 12:51 PM »

Quote from: ericag_ph on May 09, 2007 at 09:54 AM

For BD and HD DVD discs...you will need hardware (optical drives) for that...I haven't seen any locally...nor have I seen any BD or HD discs locally.

If you download it...you might be okay with a codec.

Haven't tried, since BD and HD content isn't that available(to me at least).

Plenty of titles at a shop or two at Park Square. Names escape me at the moment as I also am not into high def still. Online orders beside.

The xbox360 HD DVD Add On drive can connect to your HTPC via USB and play HD DVD discs with the right drivers and software installed I am told.

chronic · « **Reply #1211 on:** May 21, 2007 at 02:20 PM »

wats the best for viewing dvd's ba ?mapa bd hd or normal?nvida or ati ?

aeris30 · « **Reply #1212 on:** May 26, 2007 at 07:04 PM »

System requirements to connect a blu-ray or hd dvd (like the xbox 360 hd dvd add-on) drive to your htpc:

cyberlink_1
cyberlink_2
cyberlink_3
cyberlink_4

Munskie · « **Reply #1213 on:** May 29, 2007 at 08:06 AM »

sir, just assembled a gaming rig.........and planning to use it as media center too.....

Intel Core 2 Duo E6420 2.13G processor
2GB RAM
400Gb harddrive (320+80gb)
Palit GF 7300GT sonic 256MB video card(planning to upgrade soon...)

any suggestions to a good soundcard that I can connect to a receiver??

john5479 · « **Reply #1214 on:** May 29, 2007 at 08:32 AM »

if you can get this: http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-plosion.php it would be great:) otherwise there are a lot of motherboards with an spdif out that you can use to connect to the receiver.

Munskie · « **Reply #1215 on:** May 29, 2007 at 08:38 AM »

Quote from: john5479 on May 29, 2007 at 08:32 AM

if you can get this: http://www.auzentech.com/site/products/x-plosion.php it would be great:) otherwise there are a lot of motherboards with an spdif out that you can use to connect to the receiver.

ganda!!!

ill try rounding up pc shops.......

thanks john

glacierfrost · « **Reply #1216 on:** Jun 09, 2007 at 12:10 PM »

Can you guys recommend a good TV tuner with PVR? Would it be worth it to get the ones with hardware encoding?

jpadua · « **Reply #1217 on:** Jun 09, 2007 at 12:28 PM »

Quote from: glacierfrost on Jun 09, 2007 at 12:10 PM

Can you guys recommend a good TV tuner with PVR? Would it be worth it to get the ones with hardware encoding?

Take a look at the Leadtek PVR3000 so far its the only hardware mpeg2 TV tuner that has component inpunts another good card is the Sapphire Theatrix. Yes its worth getting the one with hardware encoding. This really takes a real load of your CPU. With software based cards, you can't do much while recording, since CPU is being used a lot by the encoding process. Also there are a lot more 3rd party software that support Hardware Mpeg2 cards. With software encoders, you are stuck with the included software. One problem with that, when the company stops support, you will have no updated software. And lastly windows media center and vista support only mpeg2 hardware cards.

j

Ice Storm · « **Reply #1218 on:** Jun 09, 2007 at 04:12 PM »

Just wanted to share... Abangan the comprehensive product review featuring cable TV, PS2, GCN, PC, Mac & Xbox 360

glacierfrost · « **Reply #1219 on:** Jun 09, 2007 at 04:47 PM »

@jpadua
Can you give me an estimate of how much is the PVR3000 and the theatrix? Saw some reviews on the net and the theatrix looks promising.

Btw, where have you seen the theatrix?

Ice Storm · « **Reply #1220 on:** Jun 09, 2007 at 05:13 PM »

I just realized Xbox360 pics siya so here are the HTPC pics

PC pics

jpadua · « **Reply #1221 on:** Jun 09, 2007 at 05:17 PM »

Quote from: glacierfrost on Jun 09, 2007 at 04:47 PM

@jpadua
Can you give me an estimate of how much is the PVR3000 and the theatrix? Saw some reviews on the net and the theatrix looks promising. Btw, where have you seen the theatrix?

I have a theatrix, its pretty good, tested the remote myself with MCE and it works! except for maybe a couple of buttons that dont do anything. I bought it from a distro in tipidpc.com The PVR3000 you can probably find in tipidpc also, it should range from 3-4K not sure though.

leomar · « **Reply #1222 on:** Jun 09, 2007 at 07:26 PM »

astig ang mga HTPC dito

pulgas25 · « **Reply #1223 on:** Jun 29, 2007 at 03:08 AM »

tulong po! tnx,

panu po ba makukuha ang same resolution (1360X768) PC gaming through 32" bravia S-series?
Posible po b?
GAmes : (Dungeon Seige 2, broken world, NFS most wanted, Carbon Etc.)

specs ng Pc

Asus M2N32-SLI DELUXE
AMD Athlon 64 X2 dual core +4600 2.4Ghz
2GB Ram dual channel 800mhz
SLI 7600GT X2 leadtek 256+256
1.5 tera 7200 rpm SATA II
creative 24bit soundblaster

chronic · « **Reply #1224 on:** Jul 16, 2007 at 04:59 PM »

intel e6320
2g ddr2 ram
100g hdisk
creative audigy2
ati hd2900xt

wat do next?i still dunno wat best software to get to maximize my hardware

chariol · « **Reply #1225 on:** Jul 16, 2007 at 06:26 PM »

intel e6600
640 gigs seagate hd
msi 965neo
7300 gt sonic
3 gigs geil ddr2 pc800
liteon sata dvd writer
hec 480 watts
225bw
29 inch philips pixel plus

MAtZTER · « **Reply #1226 on:** Aug 06, 2007 at 03:16 PM »

Hi guys, I plan to use a spare PC (athlon 1.8g) to use for my secondary setup (for divx) soon.

Where can I buy that sound card where I can plug an optical cable to my receiver?

I saw it here somewhere but I forgot where to look for it. TIA

danrd · « **Reply #1227 on:** Aug 08, 2007 at 09:26 AM »

Same here pre. Check this out. Waiting for its arrival.

nerveblocker · « **Reply #1228 on:** Aug 09, 2007 at 04:50 PM »

Quote from: MAtZTER on Aug 06, 2007 at 03:16 PM

Hi guys, I plan to use a spare PC (athlon 1.8g) to use for my secondary setup (for divx) soon.

Where can I buy that sound card where I can plug an optical cable to my receiver?

I saw it here somewhere but I forgot where to look for it. TIA

You can always buy a soundblaster audigy soundcard with spdif out. then just buy that 3.5mm adapter to RCA attaching it to the spdif output then connect your coaxial cable to the adapter and the other end to the receiver. It would be more expensive to buy a soundcard with an optical out. IMHO

MAtZTER · « **Reply #1229 on:** Aug 09, 2007 at 05:11 PM »

thanks guys, but I recall seeing a post that there is a simple sound card below 1k w/ an optical out? But I may be wrong.

I dont wanna spend so much for this since I will be using a spare PC only for Divx purposes only.

TIA