I'm a newbie in HTPC set up and now thinking of getting one in order to take advantage of my soon to be purchased Samsung DLP that has both DVI & HDMI input. I'm so confused with many things & seek your kind advices. Recently got even confuse when a salesman told me in ATI Radeon 9000 series, there are at least 5 different models??
Found the following specs in Windows Media High Definition Video site:
Optimum Configuration
(to play 1080p video with 5.1 surround sound)
Windows XP
Windows Media Player 9 Series
DirectX 9.0
3.0 GHz processor or equivalent
512 MB of RAM
128 MB video card
DVD drive
1920 x 1440 screen resolution
24-bit 96 kHz multichannel sound card
5.1 surround sound speaker system
I'm totally loss of what the above are all about. All I know I need a good video card & sound card. All those RAM or REM beats me May I know any good & realiable computer shops that carry or can set up the above specs & what brand/models do u recommend?
I presume the above recommended specs should have DVI & HDMI output so that I can connect to my HDTV display. Thanks guys!
Hi pchin,
Yeah building an HTPC is really a custom kinda thing, there is no exact specification on what kind of hardware you need. The windows media high definition video requirements are good if you intend to really watch and play HD recorded streams or files (which is not much, not unless you have a place to get all of those). The abundant source of video material we have here in the PH is DVDs. Those specs are actually very very good. I'm only running an AthlonXP 2500 (overclocked to 3200) and it can play 720p clips just fine.. 1080i will skip a bit here and there.
Most computer shops would be able to get the parts you need.
This is what I would buy though If I were to build myself a new system.
Windows XP professional (Operating System)
Athlon64 3200
Nforce4 Motherboard
1GB Ram
Ati 9800XT 128
M-Audio Revolution 7.1 (if using a pvr-250) , Audigy2 (if using a leadtek Winfast XP)
Hauppague PVR-250 capture card (unfortunately this is not available here, but a Leadtek Winfast XP will do)
Good stable power supply (Enermax or HEC, Antec if I had money to burn)
However this would be a really expensive machine.
Minimum would be (in my opinion)
Windows XP Home
AthlonXP 2500
Nforce 2 Motherboard with soundstorm
512mb ram
ATI 9600Pro or XT
Leadtek winfast XP
HEC Silent OP
This is a more affordable option.
Modern video cards have DVI output so you would be able to connect to your samsung DLP
Your soundcard should have spdif output if you want to connect it to a home theater amplifier
Even with a minimum setup you will be able to have great video quality. The more powerfull specs would be required if you plan to do a lot of DVD convertion, Video Capturing and Editing, and Recording. Also upscaling DVDs will have more headroom if you have a more powerful pc.
Other hardware brands I would recommend:
Samsung DVD-Rom (quiet)
Lite-on DVD-Writer (Flashable to Dual-Layer)