Guest Radiohead Posted February 3, 2007 Posted February 3, 2007 HTPC Suggestions Recently picked up an Asus NF4 Sli Delux Motherboard. I have been wanting to build an HTPC for quite soem time. The motherboard will be going in a Briza case (Veery nicely composed of metal mesh which breaths as it it weren't there. I will be useing an NZXT 650 watt power supply. 1. Heres where the questions start, Video requirements, I can go one of two ways a single ATI 1900XT or Dual EVGA 7600GTs in SLI mode. What are gonna be my needs in this relem. I had read you didn't need over the top video but its here at my availability 2. Sound. On boxing day I splurged and purchased an http://www.harmankardon.com/product_...%20645&sType=C Am I going to need high end sound on my mobo like optical out or anything outlandish. The big thing is gonna be getting the signal from the PC to the HK 3. Connectivity, the machine will be connected wirelessly to my home network which takes up a PCI slot for the wireless. 4. Video Capture device for recording etc. Does anyone have any good suggestions, commercial editting wjile reording TV would be wonderful. I have read many good things about Haupage, can anyone recommend a nice mid to high end Haupage that would more than meet my needs. I really want to do this right. The Asus board should be quiet with the sinks and all but can anyone recommend an untra quiet HSF fan combo. I may overclock but depends which chip I end useing. 5. CPU and cooling, I have a 3200 939 Venice that clocks like the wind and remains quite cool, then theres a 3800X2 or a 4200X2. All of these chips are currently cooled with Arctic Freezer pros but that might make for a bit of noise close to the rest of the system. I'm going to be doing a mess of homework the next few days but I gotta plead for help here. Any and all suggestions VERY welcome Thanx in Advance Radiohead Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
red930 Posted February 4, 2007 Posted February 4, 2007 Are you going to use this rig for gaming or just as a media pc? Are you going to us an HD source for your video? Will you use a keyboard and mouse or do you want a remote? Any of those processors will do a great job. Keeping the rig quiet without creating an audible roar is the secret to enjoying a rig in a theater setting. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Radiohead Posted February 4, 2007 Posted February 4, 2007 What exactly do you mean by a high definition source for my video? Are you referring to my vid card or the Harmon Kardon? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Radiohead Posted February 4, 2007 Posted February 4, 2007 As for the keyboard and mouse I guess I could go either way but whichever way offers the most options for recording etc. It will be used simply as a media PC. Were these questions leading up to my capture card ie Hauupage preferably (whatever is gonna offer the highest quality output is my concern at this point). Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
red930 Posted February 4, 2007 Posted February 4, 2007 HD normally refers to the video signal since "over the air" HD sources include at least a 5.1 sound package. The questions were specific to the use of the term "capture" in your statements. A "capture" card is something like a video card with VIVO functions where video can be captured and output. You would also have to capture the sound independently. Most media PCs use a "tuner" to record "over the air" or cable signals. HD tuners are also available to record "over the air" HD channels broadcast in your area. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Radiohead Posted February 4, 2007 Posted February 4, 2007 Thanks for the info Roadie. I think I'm getting a little closer to understanding just what I'm dealing with here. I currently receive my signal from a satellite although it isn't High Def. Thats something I'm looking at in the future (Hi Def) but understand that these things are relatively easy to set up if you're using MS MCE so long as one has the correct cabling etc. I think I'm most likely complicating this far more than I need to. I guess in layman's terms one connects the satellite box directly to the MC computer which the signal passes through much like a VCR which then records the signal and passes the same signal through to the TV proper. The house is wired for wireless and the router is about 40 feet from when the Media centre PC will be. When assembling these things is it best to consider a good quality turner card such as a Hauupage which I understand has a better output signal. You also mentioned a remote control, I take it this is for scheduling recording events etc. The TV is a 53 inch HD Hitachi with most bells and whistles. Is a true video card even necessary in the MC computer or just the tuner card? Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
red930 Posted February 4, 2007 Posted February 4, 2007 From what I understand it's best to have at least some form of video card - certainly doesn't need to be an X1900 though. An inexpensive card like a 7600GS or X1600 (or even lower, the 7300GS or X1300) should suffice if you don't intend to game. Since you aren't using a high-def source at the moment, you could probably get by using the output that is built in to some dedicated tuners, then grab a card when you start using HD more. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
bone450 Posted February 4, 2007 Posted February 4, 2007 The only Hauppauge card I know of with video out is the PVR-350. Its a hardware mpeg2 capture card with video out capabilities. It should come with a remote and IR sensor. Last I check it doesn't have the capabilities to use an IR blaster which you will need to control your sat box. I know the PVR-150 was one the came with an IR blaster, but has no video out. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
red930 Posted February 4, 2007 Posted February 4, 2007 Most tuner cards require a standard video card or integrated video. They provide the tuner output signal to the display adapter as a "video overlay". This is why you normally must have a display adapter with DX9 capabilities. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
politbureau Posted February 7, 2007 Posted February 7, 2007 I use the MyHD card with an ATI Radeon AIW-8500DV. It's passively-cooled and lots enough for HTPC use. If you want a DX9 card, I would reccomend one of the nVidia 6600/6800 Turbocache passively-cooled models. Asus and Gigabyte had a few decent ones as I recall. A more powerful 3D card will just add noise, heat and expense to an HTPC system, and unless you plan on playing games, is completely unneccessary, IMO. polit Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thasp Posted February 8, 2007 Posted February 8, 2007 I'm sorry if I got this wrong, but is the PC being used for anything but an HTPC? I can't imagine an HTPC ever having a need for SLI. I was playing back 17 mbps HDTV OTA streams and it played back just fine on an x1300, and the card wasn't even getting as hot as it did in a game. If that works with that level of video, I can't see how a single 7600GT wouldn't be futureproof for a hell of a long time. At least until 4***xsomething comes out and trumps 35mm film), but by then I doubt PCI express cards will even be around. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Radiohead Posted February 8, 2007 Posted February 8, 2007 It will be used to run folding at home as well while not being used to record etc. The machine will not be used for gaming. I have gone ahead and ordered a 7600GT vid card, Hauupage PVR 3500 tuner card an Asus mobo (mentioned above (the motherboard is fanless which was my reason for chooseing it. I'll most likely use a 4200X2 CPU so I can fold two instances at once. I dare say that yes I would be able to game on the machine should the need arise but no I won't be running two video cards and after doing a pile more reading realize my video capabilities will not be that high so long as the output from the card is of sufficient quality. Quote Share this post Link to post Share on other sites More sharing options...
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