Author Topic: Share your HTPC Setup  (Read 344709 times)

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Offline yukon

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #240 on: Feb 20, 2004 at 11:59 AM »
more power to you jp!!! ;D ;D ;D

Offline jpadua

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HTPC case now accepting orders!
« Reply #241 on: Feb 20, 2004 at 02:08 PM »
I moved this post to the Assorted buy and Sell thread in the pinoy dvd member exchange.

Anyway, visit my website, I also have it posted there.
www.m2systech.com

Thanks
« Last Edit: Feb 24, 2004 at 08:16 AM by jpadua »

Offline jpadua

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #242 on: Feb 23, 2004 at 08:43 AM »


These are already available at XtremeModz...P6,999 lang

I went to XtremeModz yesterday to take a look at the Silverstone LC01.  The price is 9.9k.  The pricing on the website was an error daw.  I took a look at the case too... its ok lang, the front doors are kinda flimsy they shake and rattle.
« Last Edit: Feb 23, 2004 at 08:45 AM by jpadua »

Offline jpadua

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #243 on: Feb 24, 2004 at 08:18 AM »
Hi guys,

I'm currently building my HTPC centered website... I'm planning to put tutorial's tips etc... mostly stuff Ive posted and responded to on this thread.   Any other suggestions? your input is greatly appreciated. Thanks

http://www.m2systech.com

Jay

Offline akyatbundok

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #244 on: Feb 24, 2004 at 04:51 PM »
sir jpadua,

i haven't been able to find an inexpensive 1080i capable dvd player, so an HTPC is probably my only option right now... problem is, my TV only has component inputs... is there a video card or an adaptor that will let me enjoy 1080i thru the HD component inputs of my TV?  i just need to test whether 1080i works on my TV so i might just get a video card and use it in my existing PC.

thanks!
« Last Edit: Feb 24, 2004 at 04:58 PM by akyatbundok »

Offline yukon

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #245 on: Feb 24, 2004 at 06:26 PM »
hhhmmm, nga pala jp, do you know of any video card that has a component video out.  I'd like to make use of of my TV as my monitor at times...  ???

Offline bravoexo

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #246 on: Feb 25, 2004 at 06:18 AM »
ATI has that HDTV adapter for their Radeon line of Video Cards.... component out yun.
Sony KDL-55W904A, HK AVR330, DAV-DZ950, Xbox One, 360 and PS3, Wharfedale Diamond 8.4, PSW110

Offline jpadua

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #247 on: Feb 26, 2004 at 08:27 AM »
ATI has that HDTV adapter for their Radeon line of Video Cards.... component out yun.

Yup, kaso wala dito as usual... you might have to get it sa US pa... There are two kinds by the way, so better check what is compatible with the ATI that you have or will buy.  If you are lucky you might be able to find an ATI All In wonder here its usually bundled with the ATI RF remote and the Dongle... I think the 9800 AIW has the remote and dongle.. dont know lang if you can find it here.  It's also a TV-tuner card by the way.

Offline yukon

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #248 on: Feb 26, 2004 at 12:38 PM »
Yup, kaso wala dito as usual... you might have to get it sa US pa... There are two kinds by the way, so better check what is compatible with the ATI that you have or will buy.  If you are lucky you might be able to find an ATI All In wonder here its usually bundled with the ATI RF remote and the Dongle... I think the 9800 AIW has the remote and dongle.. dont know lang if you can find it here.  It's also a TV-tuner card by the way.

yaiks!!! ibig sabihin pahirapan pa rin to?...
haaaahay...

Offline jpadua

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #249 on: Feb 26, 2004 at 12:53 PM »
yaiks!!! ibig sabihin pahirapan pa rin to?...
haaaahay...

Wala bang VGA input yung HDTV mo? diba Samsung DLP yung TV mo? it has VGA/DVI inputs.

Offline Qman

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #250 on: Mar 02, 2004 at 10:05 PM »
new mini pc from MSI


Chipset Nvidia nForce2 + MCPT
CPUs supported AMD Athlon XP
Memory supported Dual DDR400
IDE supported ATA 133
Slot 1 AGP 8x
1 PCI
Front panel interfaces 1x S/PDIF digital sound input, optical
1x mic in
1x speaker out
2x USB 2.0 ports
1x FireWire (IEEE1394) 6-pin
1x FireWire (IEEE1394) 4-pin
Back panel interfaces 2x VGA ports
2x PS/2 (mouse + keyboard)
1x RJ45 - Ethernet 10/100 Mbits/s
2x USB 2.0
1x parallel port
1x video t (S-video)
1x S/PDIF out, optical
3x multichannel audio
Power 250 Watts
Accessories Integrated WiFi 802.11b (11 Mbits/s)
Remote control
AM/FM antenna

The most amazing function is certainly the one that lets you use the MEGA 180 with no memory, hard drive or even a processor. You just add a CD or DVD player and the device works like a home audiovisual system, playing CD Audio, CD-MP3 and radio. The big LCD screen will display all the information you need, like the radio station selected. Nor do these features disappear when the computer is running. It is all driven by Windows-installed applications. Unlike the first MEGA PC, the front can stay on in PC mode, which is really convenient.
« Last Edit: Mar 02, 2004 at 10:07 PM by Qman »

Offline woody

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #251 on: Mar 03, 2004 at 02:36 PM »
If you can afford it, here a nice mobo for a powerhouse HTPC:



www.commell.com.tw/Product/SBC/LV-671.HTM

A Pentium M mobo in mini-ITX form factor. Just  pop in a Pentium M retail proc, you get a very fast, fan-less system!

Both are available in Akihabara for about Y150K(!).

 8)

Offline jpadua

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #252 on: Mar 03, 2004 at 02:44 PM »
If you can afford it, here a nice mobo for a powerhouse HTPC:



www.commell.com.tw/Product/SBC/LV-671.HTM

A Pentium M mobo in mini-ITX form factor. Just  pop in a Pentium M retail proc, you get a very fast, fan-less system!

Both are available in Akihabara for about Y150K(!).

 8)

wow! maganda nga yan! maka gawa ka ng HTPC na lowprofile na halos kasing laki ng DVD player! wala ba dito nyan?

Offline woody

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #253 on: Mar 04, 2004 at 08:30 AM »
@jp

afaik it is only available here in tokyo, in very limited quantities.

the good news is prices on Pentium M procs have gone down to half the previous level, from stratospheric to just sky-high.

On the mini-ITX mobo:

Chip set is  i855GM+ICH4, onboard  VGA, optical out for 6ch audio, GB LAN,  PCI×1+Mini-PCI×1, PC card slot ×1 (baseplate back) +CF slot ×1 (same), DDR DIMM×1 )looks like SO-DIMM), DDR200/266.

Although Mini-ITX, the PC card & CF slot are on a  baseplate on the underside of the PCB, so 'standard' ITX cases may not work out of the box.

Uses an AC adapter (60W), 4 pin ATX12V; IDE is 2.5-in standard  44 pin, FDD uses proprietary flat ribbon cable.



 8)

Offline jpadua

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #254 on: Mar 04, 2004 at 08:56 AM »
http://www.hexus.net/content/reviews/review.php?dXJsX3Jldmlld19JRD03MjImdXJsX3BhZ2U9MQ==

Check out this new 2500+ Mobile Athlon... looks pretty impressive, the nice thing about it is that it can be used on a desktop motherboard, which means lower voltages and heat with the same 2500+ performance... can be overclocked to an eqivalent athlon xp 3200.  

Too bad here I think computer shops only sell the desktop version and I highly doubt that the Athlon-m will be sold as separate items.... can anyone confirm this?

It would be cool to run an Athlon-m on a MicroATX board using a low profile case...  yum

Offline woody

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #255 on: Mar 04, 2004 at 12:34 PM »
well, after some detective work, i've tracked down the one store that sells this in akihabara, tokyo.

i ordered a unit, OPN is 'AXMH2500FQQ4C' and stepping is said to be 'AQYFA'. woof..woof...

i hope to be in tokyo proper over the weekend to pick it up. sana wag mag-snow...

;-)

Offline jpadua

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #256 on: Mar 04, 2004 at 01:45 PM »
since you are in japan you might want to look for this Mini-ITX case... it looks really cool and fanless too uses Heatpipe technology.. checkout thehuge heatsink on this thing.

http://www.mini-itx.com/#story0311

« Last Edit: Mar 04, 2004 at 01:46 PM by jpadua »

Offline woody

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #257 on: Mar 04, 2004 at 02:37 PM »
this is a 'quietness' casing as sold in akihabara.  

nice, very well built. as it should be - costs about php15k w/a 60W power adapter.

 8)

Offline jpadua

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480p VS 1080i DVD upscale
« Reply #258 on: Apr 01, 2004 at 01:16 PM »
Someone was asking once in one of the threads (been tryin to look for it) if there is really a difference in viewing 480p againts 1080i upscaled DVD.

Well to make things easier, I tooks some screen shots so those who are still getting into this whole HTPC thing can see the difference. :)

How the screenshots were taken:

720x480p desktop resolution - standard Capture using Sonic Cineplayer.  Viewed at 800x600 full screen then desktop capture (using the PrintScrn key) for equal comparison.

1920x1080i desktop resolution - Capture using FFDshow grab, using Zoomplayer, Sonic codecs, FFDshow post processing, Gradual Denoise 30, unsharp mask 25, Resize 1920x1080, resize algorithm Area, chroma and luma sharpen at 2.0. Viewed at 800x600 full screen then desktop capture (using the PrintScrn key) for equal comparison.

480p - take a look at Frodo in the background (hahaha! kidding)

1080i - Notice Sam's hair is not as blurred as the 480p shot


480p - Compare Frodo's Hair with the 1080i version

1080i - Compare the texture of the fabric on Frodo's cloak and his Elven Pin



If you look at the screen shots, you might say that the 1080i version is just slightly sharper... well my answer to that is yes, but it makes a whole lot of difference when you watch it in motion.  Another thing to consider is that I downsized 1080i to 800x600 to make an equal comparison.

Sharpening, and postprocessing settings are more of personal preference, so results will vary depending on how much you want to post process your image.

Offline jpadua

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HTPC casing
« Reply #259 on: Apr 01, 2004 at 01:19 PM »
By the way... I'm getting some Accent HTPC cases in about 1week, I'll post pictures. :) I only have 5 PCs coming in so PM if interested.  actually may naka reserve na na 2 so that makes it 3 left :D

Offline jpadua

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HTPC gallery
« Reply #260 on: Apr 01, 2004 at 01:22 PM »
If you want to see other people HTPC setup, check out this gallery :)

http://htpcnews.com/main.php?id=gallery

Offline number1

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #261 on: Apr 01, 2004 at 03:20 PM »
Off-topic:

I'm wondering how do you make your PC's video output into "anamorphic widescreen" signals to your TV when playing dvds?

I connected my PC to my 4:3 direct view TV and started playing some DVDs. The dvds played in *letterbox* widescreen and not anamorphic, despite the fact the dvds are all anamorphic ws encoded. You'll probably notice the same thing with any other players (i use cyberlink 4.0 xp) when playing a dvd in "fullscreen" mode with your pc monitor also. Btw, my tv has a feature which allows it to detect autodetect anamorphic ws signals coming from any input sources so it can switch automatically into that mode upon detection.

I used to have the creative dxr2 dvd decoder pci card before. This card manages to send "anamorphic widescreen" signals to my TV and everything plays well. How come the software decoders programs cannot do the same?    

Any tips/suggestions is greatly appreciated? :)

Offline jpadua

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #262 on: Apr 01, 2004 at 04:18 PM »
hmm I never had a problem with anamorphic wide screen.  On PowerDVD isnt there an option if you want to watch in widescreen?

Offline number1

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #263 on: Apr 01, 2004 at 08:44 PM »
hmm I never had a problem with anamorphic wide screen.  On PowerDVD isnt there an option if you want to watch in widescreen?

powerdvd plays widescreen correctly, but i'm wondering why it cannot output the same as the creative dxr2 dvd hardware decoder pci card. powerdvd makes widescreen into letterbox.

Probably its the software. I'll try some other players. What programs do you use? is it the same programs as the ones you used with the LOTR screenshots?


Offline jpadua

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #264 on: Apr 02, 2004 at 09:03 AM »
powerdvd plays widescreen correctly, but i'm wondering why it cannot output the same as the creative dxr2 dvd hardware decoder pci card. powerdvd makes widescreen into letterbox.

Probably its the software. I'll try some other players. What programs do you use? is it the same programs as the ones you used with the LOTR screenshots?


For those screenshots, for 480p I used Sonic Cineplayer (really good!) and for 1080i I was using Zoomplayer and Sonic's codecs.

I'm trying to understand what you mean when you say anamorphic and letterbox.  Is your TV a widescreen (16x9)or a regular TV? (4x3).

Anamorphic is when the picture is from edge to edge, so if you are using a 16x9 display it stretches the picture so that there are no black bars above and below.  If you set your display to anamorphic on a 4x3 display, then you will have a stretched picture but with wrong dimemsions (like people look stretched vertically)

Letter box (correct me if i'm wrong on this one) corrects the vertical stretch on 4x3 displays by adding black bars above and below to have a correct aspect ratio


Offline number1

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #265 on: Apr 02, 2004 at 07:57 PM »
As i mentioned before, my tv is a 4:3 (square) type and *not* 16:9 (rectangular). Despite this, the TV has two settings (standard and widescreen mode). In widescreen mode, the screen is reduced to accomodate a rectangular (16:9) viewing therefore black bars appear on the top and bottom part of the tv screen. Watching anamorphic ws dvds in this mode looks very clear. Btw, watching letterbox dvds in this mode, makes the picture look stretched that's why I use the standard mode, meaning 4:3.  

Btw, since I have dvds that are either letterbox (ie. The Rock and Conair) and anamorphic ws (ie. LOTR), i can readily discern the difference bet. the two. Comparing the two modes on my tv, anamorphic dvds look much clearer in the widescreeen mode on my tv.

Now onto the problem. Using my PC connected to the TV to view an anamorphic encoded dvd, the tv does not switch to its widescreen mode which means that the PC video output is not sending any anamorphic signal to the TV. Comparing, a regular set top dvd player and the PC playing the same anamorphic encoded dvd, the regular dvd player outputs a clearer picture simply because it sends an anamorphic signal to the tv, making the tv switch to its widescreen mode. While the PC software player does not do that.

Offline jpadua

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #266 on: Apr 03, 2004 at 09:19 AM »
As i mentioned before, my tv is a 4:3 (square) type and *not* 16:9 (rectangular). Despite this, the TV has two settings (standard and widescreen mode). In widescreen mode, the screen is reduced to accomodate a rectangular (16:9) viewing therefore black bars appear on the top and bottom part of the tv screen. Watching anamorphic ws dvds in this mode looks very clear. Btw, watching letterbox dvds in this mode, makes the picture look stretched that's why I use the standard mode, meaning 4:3.  

Btw, since I have dvds that are either letterbox (ie. The Rock and Conair) and anamorphic ws (ie. LOTR), i can readily discern the difference bet. the two. Comparing the two modes on my tv, anamorphic dvds look much clearer in the widescreeen mode on my tv.

Now onto the problem. Using my PC connected to the TV to view an anamorphic encoded dvd, the tv does not switch to its widescreen mode which means that the PC video output is not sending any anamorphic signal to the TV. Comparing, a regular set top dvd player and the PC playing the same anamorphic encoded dvd, the regular dvd player outputs a clearer picture simply because it sends an anamorphic signal to the tv, making the tv switch to its widescreen mode. While the PC software player does not do that.

Oh! sorry I must have passed over it when I was scanning your first post (4:3 Direct view TV).

Ok down to your problem... I guess it may be case to case.. I use sonic Cineplayer, and there are options to display letterbox, or anamorphic.  While zoomplayer lets you change the aspect ratio.  So in my case I have to change it manually I guess, although I have not encountered a problem like this yet.

my set is a Pixelplus 4:3 HDTV ready.  I have my PC connected to its VGA input.  I define my resolutions with powerstrip.  I actually created a 1920x1080i resolution that is automatically does a anamorphic squeeze, then I adjust the aspect ratio only once.  Everytime I watch anamorphic DVDs I use this mode.  In an event that I watch Letterbox DVDs or fullscreen 4:3 I switch to 1280x1024i.

It could be software din... try sonic Cineplayer.  It has to modes Letter box and Anamorphic Widescreen. Maybe that would work with your setup.
« Last Edit: Apr 03, 2004 at 09:23 AM by jpadua »

Offline ADM202E

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #267 on: Apr 03, 2004 at 03:19 PM »
Here are Pics of my Latest HTPC Setup

Accent aluminum HTPC Case w VFD and Remote
Athlon XP 2500+ 333mhz barton
512MB DDR
ECS KM400M2 microATX
      Spdif digitial output
      6 channel audio
      USB 2.0
HEC 475w Dual Fan
Radeon 9600pro
ASUS TV/FM capture card
Thermaltake Silentboost HSF cooler
Zalman VGA Heatpipe with Opt. Fan




Dude this is so cool! Ngaun  I will appreciate  the  "real thing" HTPC. Parang Marantz! Pls keep on pushing  the local sales/distribution of Accent aluminum HTPC Case w VFD and Remote!

I assume the  LCD comes with the case right? Where  was it connected? How about  the remote? Other programs that the remote can offer?

Pls inform  us  kung may alam kana na sales nito locally.

Thanks!!!
« Last Edit: Apr 03, 2004 at 03:25 PM by ADM708S »

Offline jpadua

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Re:Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #268 on: Apr 05, 2004 at 08:41 AM »
Dude this is so cool! Ngaun  I will appreciate  the  "real thing" HTPC. Parang Marantz! Pls keep on pushing  the local sales/distribution of Accent aluminum HTPC Case w VFD and Remote!

I assume the  LCD comes with the case right? Where  was it connected? How about  the remote? Other programs that the remote can offer?

Pls inform  us  kung may alam kana na sales nito locally.

Thanks!!!

ADM708S,

Dude! ok talaga tong case. Sa sobrang ganda neto, I ordered 5 cases of the HT-400.  The one in my setup was only an HT-101.




2 na nag pareserve saakin, so I might have 3 more left.  The cases are coming after Holyweek! :)
PM me or email mo ako sa [email protected]

It's 3 pieces, The case, the LCD/VFD and the Remote. Separately Priced.

There are 2 Variants.
Parallel VFD / Serial Accent IR HTPC Remote Kit (advantage- compatible with Girder)

Imon USB VFD / Imon MM IR remote with internal reciever.
http://imon.soundgraph.com/contents/e_201.html

Jay Padua
www.m2systech.com

Offline ADM202E

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Re: Share your HTPC Setup
« Reply #269 on: Apr 13, 2004 at 07:43 PM »
Jay pre, I received your mail regarding the price. Medyo mahal pala talaga. But im really thinking about it. Im just waiting for my stocks to the right price and will inform you if  kukuha ako  pre. Anyways can  we  see  the actual demo? Anyone got their htpc  from  you  pre?