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Writing magazine article on ultimate HTPC - need XPMediaCentre's help
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Re: Writing magazine article on ultimate HTPC - need XPMediaCentre's help
Quote:
Originally Posted by AdamTurner
The graphics card is tricky. Needs to be dual DVI, if not HDMI, with HDCP. I think it also needs to be passively cooled to keep the noise down. I think it needs to be an 8000 - I'm open to suggestions of exact makes and models. Might narrow it down to two or three and try them all.
Gigabyte 8500GT is passively cooled, has HDCP, and goes for around $175. It doesn't have two DVI connectors, but it does have a dual-link DVI allowing you to drive two screens up to 2560 x 1600.
Regarding Vista v XP, XP will not support PureVideo HD, and hence the new video processing engine in the 8500 and 8600 GPUs, until at least June. So in the case of 8500 and 8600 at least, Vista has better nVidia driver support.
Re: Writing magazine article on ultimate HTPC - need XPMediaCentre's help
Okay, I've taken everyone's advice on board and rewritten my spec sheet. It's not written in stone, but I have to start ordering in the parts soon. What are people's thoughts?
The case and mobo are expensive - I estimate the total cost has blown out to around $2450 (not including XP). Using Vista and XP means I can give readers a good idea of what to expect from both, I think they deserve better than just "Vista's not ready". Maybe it's not, but there's only one way to find out.
I'm thinking of skimping on RAM. I've gone for a cheaper graphics card with only one DVI output (few people would need dual DVI, but I'll list it as an option). Also gone for a cheaper processor but with a bigger FSB. That mobo is bloody expensive - I'm open to alternatives.
The Zalman HD160 case is full size ATX but is still an inch narrower than the mATX Antec Fusion - important if you're putting it in a cabinet and are worried about ventilation (even with the back of the cabinet removed or just holes drilled it in). Also includes VFD and card reader.
The Seasonic S12 seems to be considered the best silent PSU around. The WD v Samsung hard drive debate rages on, but more people seem to favour the Samsung SpinPoint. What's the word on the 500GB versions?
So, what's the verdict? I've already started talking to suppliers and I want to start the ball rolling in the next few days. All your feedback is much appreciated.
Re: Writing magazine article on ultimate HTPC - need XPMediaCentre's help
Looks like a good, solid build Adam.
I know that Mobo is expensive, but as an owner of one, I think they're worth the money.
The only thing I would question is your choice of CPU cooler. I think the Zalman 9500 Cu is a better choice. It is pictured in the gallery shots of the Zalman case you have chosen, and again I use one on the Asus P5W DH Mobo and it sits perfectly amongst all the heatsinks on the board itself. It will also work harmoniously with the flow of the case fans helping to exhaust hot air from the case.
Re: Writing magazine article on ultimate HTPC - need XPMediaCentre's help
Being a Zalman HD160 owner I'd have to suggest you reconsider if you plan to use IRTrans. The fact is that getting IRTrans to work with the MCE keyboard is not exactly simple. I haven't tried yet since I'm yet to find a way to make the VFD function correctly after resuming from standby. In truth the VFD is fairly useless unless you're sitting about five feet from it so personally I don't really see the point in having one. In retrospect I kind of wish I'd bought a case without the VFD although in all other respects this case is extremely good.
but it looks kinda limited, plus I think the HD160 only has a 2-line display so I don't know if it will make enough of a difference.
Did you buy the HD160 for the VFD? I'm more interested in the fact that it's a narrow case but still ATX, good build quality and it has a card reader. Would you buy the HD160 again or go for something different? The HD160XT is just insane, the HD160 is too expensive as it is. It's still bloody annoying to go for such a great case and be left with a mediocre VFD.
As for the MCE keyboard, I refuse to touch it until they go RF rather than IR. I'll stick with my RF Logitech keyboard and trackball for now. I didn't include them in the list coz I figured people would use their existing keyboard and mouse to set the box up and then just run it using the remote. Maybe that's an oversight, I'm not sure.
Re: Writing magazine article on ultimate HTPC - need XPMediaCentre's help
have not fully read the blog yet, but wanted to let you know tha tI use an ATI X800XT graphics card in my vista media c enter and it handles everything that can be thrown at it, in fact before I went Vista I had a similar set up with a 9800 Pro and again it handled HD at full HD res fine recording multiple channels and watching pre recorded stuff.
The graphics card for HD can be really cheap. I would aim for a fanless older card over the latest greatest video gaming card.
and as others have said, for the ultimate tag, your going to need proper speaker set up with amps for the surround sound feel. and a decent display capable for Full HD. possibly a projector , and then a screen for the projector.
Are you actually going to build it or just day dream ??
The NSK2400/Fusion is meant to be a good case. To me main attraction of the HD160 is that its narrower for fitting in a cabinet - I've had issues with my Overture II and the NSK2400/Fusion is wider again. Still the Overture II case the PSU at the front, whereas the NSK2400/Fusion has it at the back. I've taken the back off my cabinet (which most people would do, or drill holes at the back) so I'm thinking the wider case might not be such a problem if the PSU gets better ventilation at the rear.
I'm in two minds here - what do people think?
Quote:
Are you actually going to build it or just day dream ??
I am building it, see the first post in the thread
Re: Writing magazine article on ultimate HTPC - need XPMediaCentre's help
yeah, it's going to need something like that up the front. I'm sweating on this because I'm trying to cover all bases rather than just build what's best for me. The text will have to contain lots of "at this point you've got a few choices such as blah, blah and blah, but I went with Option A because of blah, blah, blah.
I'm leaning towards the cheaper Antec case & mATX mobo, but then a more expensive graphics card - it's probably a better balance for readers.
Re: Writing magazine article on ultimate HTPC - need XPMediaCentre's help
Unfortunately the VFD in the HD160 is not an iMon but IRTrans. I do believe you might be able to resolve some issues with it using LCDSmartie but frankly I didn't want to fork over more money for the MCE plugin etc and basically spend more time fiddling with something which IMHO should just work. The problems as I said don't stop there as I can't even get the thing to work after resuming from standby without either rebooting or restarting the tray application.
Personally I'm still reasonably happy with the HD160 although it's fairly pricey and could have been cheaper if they'd left out the VFD. The fact is that it does look quite good and the build quality is excellent although attaching the bezel to the Optical drive and fitting it all so that the eject button works properly is a bit fiddly.
