Cheap/First HTPC build

[pyre]

So, I am wanting to build a new HTPC.

Have just gotten a 42" panasonic plasma and really happy with it!

I would like to spend roughly $700 max, but anything lower is a big bonus.

I don't have a list of specific parts, so your help would be appreciated. But I will look around later when I get home and post my ideas further I guess (at work now so can't).

Here's what I want it to do:

* I want to be able to record HD free to air TV and regular TV. So a dual tuner HD card would be required. I would like to be able to record one channel and watch another. Recording TV is the main focus I require.

* 500 gb HDD. Most here recommend samsung as it is quiet. I will probably go for that or seagate.

* Reasonably small form factor case, but nothing at all extravagent. As cheap as possible with a built in PSU would be great.

* Don’t care too much about blu-ray, but in the future it would be handy.

Any suggestions with prices for each bit would be ultra handy.

Thanks in advance (great forum here!)

[vlad]

Let's start with the case.
http://www.pccasegear.com/prod4306.htm
229$ is not bad, and it takes full ATX motherboard.

[vlad]

This motherboard looks good for only 92$
http://www.techbuy.com.au/p/80172/MO...1003072801.asp

[TheRob]

Originally Posted by pyre

* I want to be able to record HD free to air TV and regular TV. So a dual tuner HD card would be required. I would like to be able to record one channel and watch another. Recording TV is the main focus I require.

DNTV Dual Hybrid S2 - I reckon this is a great card for the money. Works a treat.

Originally Posted by pyre

* 500 gb HDD. Most here recommend samsung as it is quiet. I will probably go for that or seagate.

Definately go the Sammy. You wan't regret it.

Originally Posted by pyre

* Reasonably small form factor case, but nothing at all extravagent. As cheap as possible with a built in PSU would be great..

The Antec NSK2480 is a great case if you don't want a front panel display (most of which are useless anyway!). There's also the Fusion if you really must have a display. I'm using a very compact NSK1380 case which I'm pretty happy with. It's a bit of squeeze, but I wanted something that didn't take up much room. All of the above cases are mATX only.

Originally Posted by pyre

* Don’t care too much about blu-ray, but in the future it would be handy.

I know Vlad will disagree, but start out with the on-board graphics on your chosen mATX motherboard. I have an Abit FI90HD mobo with integrated ATI x1250 graphics chipset and it's working fine for SD and HD TV and DVD playback. If I ever get a blu ray player I'll probably get a dedicated graphics card at the same time.

Also, if you want to save a few bucks, go with an AMD system over an Intel one.

[vlad]

Originally Posted by TheRob

I know Vlad will disagree, but start out with the on-board graphics

Look what I have recommended

[TheRob]

Originally Posted by vlad

Look what I have recommended

Nice board

[pyre]

Yeah. The onboard graphics card sounds fine. AS LONG as it will work fine in recording the digital/HD content off TV, I am fine with whatever is cheapest. Can anyone confirm if the onboard is fine for this?

If the only reason to get a dedicated GFX card is for blu-ray etc then I do not care at all. Thats a long way away for me to be honest, and this box's priority is purely PVR (with some divx and other playback etc).

As per the case - cheaper the better. I could care less about displays and other things, as most likely this thing is going to be hidden away anyway. Actually now i think about it any case is fine as long as it is small and cheap.

Also I have a quick question - (very newb one at that). With the TV tuner card, does the aerial plug strait into the PC and then PC to HDMI slot on the TV? How does this work? Will the TV's HD tuner still be used? Im a bit of a newb about this stuff.

Thanks for all your advice so far guys, looks good!

[pyre]

Another quick question I have - when recording from TV, how much (roughly) MB per Min will it use?

Cheers

[TheRob]

Originally Posted by pyre

Yeah. The onboard graphics card sounds fine. AS LONG as it will work fine in recording the digital/HD content off TV, I am fine with whatever is cheapest. Can anyone confirm if the onboard is fine for this?

Perfectly fine. BTW the graphics chip doesn't affect recording, only playback.

Originally Posted by pyre

Also I have a quick question - (very newb one at that). With the TV tuner card, does the aerial plug strait into the PC and then PC to HDMI slot on the TV?

Yes. You can split the antenna signal if you want, and feed one to the MC and one to the TV. See below for advantages of this.

Originally Posted by pyre

How does this work? Will the TV's HD tuner still be used? Im a bit of a newb about this stuff.

TV tuner is not used when watching or recording TV via the media center. The media center is feeding an A/V signal to directly to the TV screen. Basically when using the MC you switch from the in-built tuner as the source to the MC as the source by selecting the appropriate input.

One neat thing to keep in mind, if your TV has a digital tuner andyou have a dual tuner in the MC you will effectively be able to record two shows at the same time on you MC while watching a third show live on the TV. To do this you'll need to split the antenna feed and plug one into the MC and one into the TV.

[vbmds]

I'm also in the process of getting bits together for a HTPC, and from what I've seen thus far, once you've decided on the exact bits you want - shop around...prices for the same item from various places vary an amasing amount.