Building my first HTPC - Now what??

[Zardnok]

I have lots of old hardware laying around and decided to do something with it. A quick perusal of Newegg and a few credit card numbers later, I have ordered an Nmediapc 6000S to match my HK receiver, an Asus OEM Blu-ray drive, a Cideco handheld keyboard/airmouse, a Buffalo Wireless NIC, a gaggle of extra fans and cables, and a Corsair 430 PSU to fuel everything.

What I already have-
C2D 6420 (formerly OC to 3.6, ran 3.4 as daily driver)
Freezer7 Pro
Giga 965 DS3
4X1GB Ram
8800gts 640
320GB HDD
250GB HDD
Yate Loon 120mm fans

My current HT system-
Samsung 46L630
DirecTV HD DVR
Sony PS3
Harman Kardon AVR 745
2X Infinity Beta 50 Towers
1X Infinity Beta C360 Center
2X Infinity Custom ERS-210 II surrounds
Behringer EP2500 w/fan-mod
2X Infinity Kappa Perfect VQ 12s in custom cabinets tuned at 17hz
2X Aura Pro Bass Shakers mounted to frame of couch w/100watt plate amp

I have no idea really what I want to do with this thing, but I know I want one, and I know I have enough parts laying around to make it happen. I will likely try Skyrim on my big screen and perhaps the occasional sports stream, although I cringe at the possible resolution. Maybe Netflix, but I can do that on my PS3 as well. I ordered a blu-ray drive just to have the capability, but will need some sort of software to play movies and perhaps back-up my blu-ray collection onto hard drive. I have no doubt I can come up with things to use it for, or perhaps it will be a useless project that entertains me for a week or so and then just looks cool on a shelf, regardless I have parts on the way and it is happening. I just need advice on what to do with it when it does.

Both of my HDMI inputs on the AVR are used by the DVR and PS3, so I will need to go directly from the HTPC into the TV. I ordered a DVI cable to do this, but now I need to decide the best way to get the sound into my AVR. Do I need a separate sound card or is the built in enough? What sort of Codecs do I need to play blu-ray movies on this OEM drive? What other software is recommended for an HTPC? I looked for a builders guide and found a guy that wanted $20 for his guide, but I am a much bigger fan of free. Any tips, hints, or comments before I start turning screws and connecting wires later this evening??

 

[velillen]

Ill tackle what i can

For sound probably the easiest way is to just use the digital audio thingy. Toslink. Go from the tv to the receiver and set up the receiver to use it when you select tv.

To play back blurays...youll need something like Powerdvd9 (think it is) or Total media Theatre5. you could also rip the file using makemkv to have it in a file that can be played back by most anything.

Codec wise for bluray...your stuck with whatever comes with your program of choice. For playing ripped files or whatever back. LAV filter is one options. So is Shark007 codec pack (my choice persoanally) Either one of those hsould playback anything in WMC.

As for other software...really depends what you want to do. I have a media server and use mediabrowser as a frontend to access all my movies and the such. I also use WMC7 for watching tv. Theres plenty of other plugins you can get or other frotnends like xbox media center or j.river.

Anyways sound slike your just doing it for fun so just have fun and explore and tinker

 

[NutBucket]

I use mine as an OTA DVR and also for Netflix, Hulu and downloaded content. Hulu on the PC allows for more content than on any other device. You can integrate Hulu Desktop into WMC too.

The Sharky007 codec pack works great once you get all the settings figured out. Too me a little while to get the kinks worked out but now its gravy.

My current tinker project is to get all my movie files to display properly in WMC. At the bare minimum, with a movie poster instead of a colored box with the file name. Wishful thinking would be with full info including stars, synopsis, rating, year, etc. I'm sure its not hard, just something I want to do.

 

[Aikouka]

For sound probably the easiest way is to just use the digital audio thingy. Toslink. Go from the tv to the receiver and set up the receiver to use it when you select tv.

I don't think this will work. The issue is that I don't see how he's taking audio from the PC to the TV for the TV to route it to the receiver. Most TVs don't have great separate audio-in options. A lot of the times, I've seen single 3.5mm jack connectors for PC audio when using a PC connector.

It would be easier for him to just route an optical or coaxial (his motherboard supports both) to the receiver and just select the right input when he's got his TV set to the computer's input.

What you described could work if he used HDMI, but I don't think the GeForce 8000-series had HDMI support? I used to use one, but it's been awhile and I cannot remember its connector. Even if so, I recall there being differences between how well ATi's HDMI audio out worked compared to nVidia's. This isn't an issue anymore, but I think it was on the GeForce 200-series cards.

 

[velillen]

My current tinker project is to get all my movie files to display properly in WMC. At the bare minimum, with a movie poster instead of a colored box with the file name. Wishful thinking would be with full info including stars, synopsis, rating, year, etc. I'm sure its not hard, just something I want to do.

Check out Media Center Master. its what i use and it works great for pulling up the artwork, backgrounds, synopsis, ratings, ect. Not sure how it works with just plain WMC but it should be just fine (i think theres an option you have to check for the right format or something though)

I don't think this will work. The issue is that I don't see how he's taking audio from the PC to the TV for the TV to route it to the receiver. Most TVs don't have great separate audio-in options. A lot of the times, I've seen single 3.5mm jack connectors for PC audio when using a PC connector.

It would be easier for him to just route an optical or coaxial (his motherboard supports both) to the receiver and just select the right input when he's got his TV set to the computer's input.

What you described could work if he used HDMI, but I don't think the GeForce 8000-series had HDMI support? I used to use one, but it's been awhile and I cannot remember its connector. Even if so, I recall there being differences between how well ATi's HDMI audio out worked compared to nVidia's. This isn't an issue anymore, but I think it was on the GeForce 200-series cards.

oppsy you are right. SPIDF/optical/coaxial straight from mobo to receiver If your using DCI that is. other wise you could do either from tv or mobo if you used hdmi from htpc to tv.

 

[Childs]

The Sharky007 codec pack works great once you get all the settings figured out.

The only thing you really need from the pack is LAV filters, which can be downloaded separately. Maybe add mkv to MCE via a registry tweak, but LAV filters takes care of pretty much everything.

 

[Aikouka]

other wise you could do either from tv or mobo if you used hdmi from htpc to tv.

I did a search on the video card earlier, and the EVGA 8800GTS that I saw did not have a HDMI port on it. Chances are that he would have to go with the HTPC-to-Receiver method, which isn't a huge deal if he isn't already running a connection from the TV to the receiver (somewhat common if you use an OTA HD antenna)

 

[jtvang125]

I use mine as an OTA DVR and also for Netflix, Hulu and downloaded content. Hulu on the PC allows for more content than on any other device. You can integrate Hulu Desktop into WMC too.

The Sharky007 codec pack works great once you get all the settings figured out. Too me a little while to get the kinks worked out but now its gravy.

My current tinker project is to get all my movie files to display properly in WMC. At the bare minimum, with a movie poster instead of a colored box with the file name. Wishful thinking would be with full info including stars, synopsis, rating, year, etc. I'm sure its not hard, just something I want to do.

If it has to be within WMC you can use MyMovies, but I'm sure you already knew that. I'm using mediaportal as my htpc frontend.

 

[boomhower]

Next: Ceton tuner + cable card

 

[NutBucket]

Drop DirecTV for cable? You couldn't pay me enough to do that.

 

[Zardnok]

We are all together now, updated, and burned in. I threw a very mild OC on the CPU and undervolted it. It idles at 28C and LinX takes it up to 50C max, so that is pretty decent for what it is. The GPU runs up to 85C after 15 minutes of OCCT, but I doubt I will ever be doing anything to remotely stress it that far. I basically just wanted to check for stability and heat issues.

Either this $75 Cideko wireless keyboard/mouse is crap or I need to get used to it. The Airmouse function will definitely take some learning. I broke down and plugged in an old microsoft mouse just to get everything loaded. The keyboard itself is not very responsive and you have to hold the buttons down sometimes to get them to register which causes double entries. I will give it some time, but as of now I am not impressed. For future builds, I will definitely use an old fashioned keyboard/mouse until everything is set up and in place!

The Nmediapc 6000 series case says it has 2-120mm fan locations in the front sides and comes with one 120mm fan on the left. There is indeed a 120mm fan slot on the right, but the side vents only go half way across the fan, so I decided it wasn't worth the noise for a half blocked fan. There is space between the front drive tray and the PSU that a 120mm fan could be placed, but it would blow air directly past the HSF and disrupt the airflow. I played with a YL D12SL fan in the front left side slot, but it was a degree louder than the stock fan and did not move a degree more air. The rear 80mm fans were whisper silent with only a faint hum, but it is easy to be that quiet when you are not moving any air. I had ordered a number of different 80mm fans to try and decided the El Cheapo Apevias were the best blend of noise and airflow as compared to the Rosewill and Panaflow fans I tried.

Now to connectivity, the 8800 doesn't have HDMI, so I ordered a DVI to VGA cable to plug into the back of my TV. The Audio was my only concern and it looks like I can use a Toslink cable to connect directly from mobo to receiver, so now I am set there as well. I never thought about this mobo having a Toslink connection, but I will certainly use it! Is the built-in sound from the board decent enough or do I need a separate sound card? I might look into an OTA antenna and Tuner card at some point, but I honestly don't watch much normal TV and what I do watch is usually off the bedroom DVR at night before I go to sleep.

Time to download the Shark007 Codec pack and Media Center Master and see what sort of trouble I can get myself into. Thanks for all the input here! You guys are great.



PS There is a reason our local Cable office has bullet proof glass, so I don't see myself trading in DirecTV any time soon.

 

[NutBucket]

With a digital connection you don't gain anything by adding an external sound card. My opinion anyway.

 

[Zardnok]

With a digital connection you don't gain anything by adding an external sound card. My opinion anyway.

That is the sort of quality advice I come here for! Thanks!!

 

[TastesLikeChicken]

I would suggest getting a DVI to HDMI cable instead. With the DVI to VGA you aren't going to get HDCP and you will have trouble playing Blu-ray discs unless you have a copy of AnyDVD HD available.

 

[MrGlobe]

HTPC's are great for watching web based video. I greatly prefer watching Netflix/Hulu/Youtube etc on the HTPC as opposed to PS3 because of how many more features are available to PC users. It is a lot easier to search, and the home screen for Netflix shows a lot more information on a PC than it does on a console.

 

[Fallen Kell]

To be perfectly honest with you, when you get the chance and the money, I HIGHLY recommend purchasing the following 3 things, a universal remote (like a Logitech Harmony xxxxx, whichever type you prefer), a remote controlled HDMI switch, and an AMD HD5/6/7xxx video card with HDMI output (get a faster card if you want for video games, but pay attention to cooling).

I dealt with using S/PDIF audio for years. It works fine most of the time, but I would NEVER, EVER, consider it for use for blu-ray playback. You can and will run into all kinds of issues due to the DRM on the blu-ray movies, and the bandwidth limitations of S/PDIF. You will have some movies on blu-ray that will only let you playback stereo over S/PDIF because they don't want you to be able to copy the audio stream.

I personally have a fanless HD5750 in my HTPC. This might not be an option for you as I have an Antec Remote Fusion MAX case which is essentially a tower case (with 120mm rear exhaust) on it's side, but still fitting the 19" standard audio rack equipment form factor.

 

[thedarkwolf]

HTPC's are great for watching web based video. I greatly prefer watching Netflix/Hulu/Youtube etc on the HTPC as opposed to PS3 because of how many more features are available to PC users. It is a lot easier to search, and the home screen for Netflix shows a lot more information on a PC than it does on a console.

Does the computer version of netflix support surround sound yet? If it does then I might get rid of my ps3.

 

[NutBucket]

I'll have to fire up Senna and check that. I usually don't pay attention while watching sitcoms and such.

 

[jessieqwert]

Any photos of the rig?

 

[Zardnok]

To be perfectly honest with you, when you get the chance and the money, I HIGHLY recommend purchasing the following 3 things, a universal remote (like a Logitech Harmony xxxxx, whichever type you prefer), a remote controlled HDMI switch, and an AMD HD5/6/7xxx video card with HDMI output (get a faster card if you want for video games, but pay attention to cooling).

I dealt with using S/PDIF audio for years. It works fine most of the time, but I would NEVER, EVER, consider it for use for blu-ray playback. You can and will run into all kinds of issues due to the DRM on the blu-ray movies, and the bandwidth limitations of S/PDIF. You will have some movies on blu-ray that will only let you playback stereo over S/PDIF because they don't want you to be able to copy the audio stream.

I personally have a fanless HD5750 in my HTPC. This might not be an option for you as I have an Antec Remote Fusion MAX case which is essentially a tower case (with 120mm rear exhaust) on it's side, but still fitting the 19" standard audio rack equipment form factor.

My AVR 745 was the flagship receiver from HK five or so years ago and came with a very nice Universal remote that is basically a copy of the Harmony 720. Main problem with the 745 though is only 2 HDMI inputs or I could use it as my HDMI switcher. I will check out monoprice and see what sort of HDMI switchers they have available and perhaps look forward to that later.

 

[Zardnok]

Any photos of the rig?

Standard top down shot showing all components installed.


Back to front shot showing the wire management.


Rear shot with the "break away" slot covers. It would have been so easy to make the PSU mount the opposite way.


Annoying plastic vent that must be removed before installing any cards.


I unplugged the SATA cables so you could see just how close the pci-e connector is to the drives.


Drive tray removed.


Half blocked right side fan mount.


Front of drive tray. Note the angle the Blu-Ray drive is pushed up with a rubber grommet so the tray and button aligns.


Rear of drive mount tray. Note that the SATA power plugs on my Corsair 430 PSU do not stretch between the hard drives when mounted in the top positions, so I had to use power adapters.

 

[Zardnok]

Finally a shot of it sitting on top of my AVR 745. I am building a new entertainment shelving system soon, so it will not sit atop my 745 for long, but I wanted to get an idea of how it looked for now. Note that I have it spaced up an extra inch from the AVR with 'Dip Tins' wrapped in black electrical tape to help with heat. The new shelves will have integrated fans to help exhaust the warm air.

 

[Binky]

Here, I'll fill up your entire weekend. Good luck!

Windows Media Center ("7MC") - decent but not very versatile front end. Can be a very good DVR for HDTV broadcasts
Media Browser ("MB") - runs inside 7MC as a front-end for movies and TV media (check out assasin's setup guide over at AVS forum)
Media Center Master ("MCM") - pulls metadata for 7MC and XBMC
Meta Browser - alternative to Media Center Master
XBMC - decent front end, more versatile than 7MC, I prefer 7MC with MB but I have both installed all over the house
SickBeard - automatically finds, downloads, and sorts TV shows (amazing...!)
Couch Potato - like sickbeard, but for movies (I dont use this one)
Sabnzbd - Downloads files, receives instructions from Sickbeard and couch potato

Store all TV/movie media in a set folder structure to save yourself headaches. It should be:

Movies\movie-name\movie files
TV\series-name\season 1\series episodes

My AVR 745 was the flagship receiver from HK five or so years ago and came with a very nice Universal remote that is basically a copy of the Harmony 720. Main problem with the 745 though is only 2 HDMI inputs or I could use it as my HDMI switcher. I will check out monoprice and see what sort of HDMI switchers they have available and perhaps look forward to that later.

Lack of HDMI inputs is only an issue if your source(s) only support HDMI and not DVI+digital audio. There's generally nothing wrong with running the video straight to the TV and bypassing the receiver entirely - in fact it may be preferred since it cuts out one potential source of noise. You may lose some multi-channel audio so you should look into what can be streamed from your digital audio output. A universal remote can handle flipping the TV input with ease.

 

[jessieqwert]

Damnit Binky, now you have my researching Sickbeard.

Nice setup Zardnok!

 

[Zardnok]

Either this $75 Cideko wireless keyboard/mouse is crap or I need to get used to it. The Airmouse function will definitely take some learning. I broke down and plugged in an old microsoft mouse just to get everything loaded. The keyboard itself is not very responsive and you have to hold the buttons down sometimes to get them to register which causes double entries. I will give it some time, but as of now I am not impressed. For future builds, I will definitely use an old fashioned keyboard/mouse until everything is set up and in place!

The Cideko airmouse works much better across the room. I am still not ready to say it was worth $75, but it isn't total crap. It will take some getting used to, but ultimately I think it will work out OK for me.


Thanks Binky for all the stuff to research and get installed this weekend.