help with foghorn's HTPC build

[foghorn67]

1. What YOUR PC will be used for. That means what types of tasks you'll be performing.

Cheap build for a HTPC setup. Will be in a cheap case to start with (since I have one lying around). Will shop for a better HTPC style case as time goes on.
Focusing on processing power due to HD content. (Blu-ray drive, Divx HD, any of the other popular codecs).
Hooked up to an HDTV via HDMI, and a cheap Pioneer 5.1 system via digital optical. TV's VGA port will not support HD (VGA res only), so a card with HDMI out or DVI-HDMI converter needed.

2. What YOUR budget is. A price range is acceptable as long as it's not more than a 20% spread.

I'm easy. I'll stay away from silly things like extreme edition processors or quad core setups. Build date will be a long ways from now. I know the dangers of buying a part at a time, but this will have to do. For example. I can drop a couple hundred bucks on a cpu/mobo combo, then select RAM, P/S, etc. in the following weeks. I'll do my best with this breakdown.
Mobo/CPU: 200-250
Video Card: 150ish
P/S: With all the deals going around 80+ certified.... sub 100? Earthwatts?
Sound: OEM CL x-fi? I heard they suck at Vista. What about an ATI card (HD 3850) that HW decodes Blu-Ray and it's audio? I have one on my desktop, can I buy something similar to knock out two birds with one stone?
Media Center-tric keyboard, remote: 100-130. Will a Logitech Harmony integrate well? I have a 550 for my current HT setup.
N Wireless card: 100 bucks?
HD: Nothing fancy, I intend to stream HiDef from my Buffalo NAS via N wireless if I can. Yes, I am gutsy. If that doesn't work out, I'll wire it up with CAT 5, or get a bigger HD.
OS: Vista Home Premium or Ultimate due to Media Center. 170 or less.
Blu-ray drive: 150? Don't need to burn BR's for now.

3. What country YOU will be buying YOUR parts from.

The US of A.

4. IF YOU have a brand preference. That means, are you an Intel-Fanboy, AMD-Fanboy, ATI-Fanboy, nVidia-Fanboy, Seagate-Fanboy, WD-Fanboy, etc, etc, etc, you get the picture.

Virtually no preference. I had AMD rigs in the past, but my Intel 8400 is serving me well on my desktop. I have Seagate drives up the wazoo, but I am flexible.

5. If YOU intend on using any of YOUR current parts, and if so, what those parts are.

Case. It's a budget Cooler Master that can take a ATX mobo.
Remote. Logitech Harmony 550? Will it work?

6. IF YOU have searched and/or read similar threads.

I would lie if I said I researched this

7. IF YOU plan on overclocking or run the system at default speeds.

No. Would like to run a stock cooler, and not mess with endless stress test. My 8400 with stock cooler is really quiet.

8. WHEN do you plan to build it?

First order for parts in a couple of weeks. Completion could take the rest of the summer.




Cliffs:
HTPC from a non HTPC case. Not planning on watching TV with it. Just Blu-ray movies, and streaming HD from the NAS via N wireless. Also, plan on making ISO's or converting my current DVD collection to Divx (conversion will be done with my desktop). HD DVR from the cable company will meet my TV needs for now.
Would like to know about how to properly HW decode the Blu-ray video, and DTS and Dolby Digital audio formats.

Update: Bought everything. Doesn't work.
Gigabyte board, 78G
AMD 64 X2 4200, AM2
Maxtor 500GB SATA
OCZ 2GB 6400
LG BR/HD-DVD combo drive.
Antec Basiq 500W. Cheap, feels really light.

-----------Update 1------------------------------6-26----------------------------
It doesn't power on at all. Reseated everything, pins look straight and true. I had to turn down the TV, but the P/S make a slight sound when tryinig to turn on. Kind of like a camera flash powering on, but in reverse and very, very faint. I think a cap is bad.
Going to return it tonight for an Earthwatt 380 or 430.

----------Update 2------------------------------6-26---------------------------
Returned the P/S. Thank God the Fry's rep put "return to vendor" on it. Got a Earthwatts 380. Plugged it in, and got success!
Windows XP blue screened if I enabled AHCI, so I am leaving it off. Hoping that's what it was.

Now for HDMI questions? What's the best way to set this up. I know I have to select the digital output in the BIOS, but for Windows Display settings, do I just put in the res for 720p and 60hz? Is that safe for a standard Westinghouse LCD HDTV?

For what's it's worth I tried the BR player using the Pixar/Disney Cars movie on my desktop last night. Holy Crap!!!!! I was only 1.5 feet away from my monitor, and it's downright dreamy in 1080p. Too bad my Westy is only 720p.

btw-everyone's input is very valuable. Thanks!

 

[ther00kie16]

MB&GPU&Sound: Gigabyte 780g should be enough for 1080p
Only issue with 780g is its limited audio output in lossless form (stereo) while nvidia 8200 will do surround.
CPU: Add any AMD X2
PSU: Earthwatts 650W for $60 at JR.com
Logitech 550 is great. 880 is even better.
Keyboard: check it out for yourself as it's a personal taste
Blu ray: best bet is something from LG like their Blu-ray/HD-dvd for $160
hard drive: samsung 750gb/1tb for lots of storage. 750gb is best deal right now and can be had for $100 sometimes.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Hooked up to an HDTV via HDMI, and a cheap Pioneer 5.1 system via digital optical

The AMD 780g will output AC3 surround via digital optical.

I've never used it but Ulead VideoStudio 11.5 Plus looks like an inexpensive option for your needs.
I believe they utilize MainConcept encoders.

edit: I fergit.

The AMD 780g provides h264 andVC-1 hardware acceleration via the IGP so you would not need the video card

 

[DSF]

Is there a reason you can't put the money into a savings account as it becomes available, and then spend once you have all of it collected? Planning a system with a build date "a long ways from now" is not the most sensible approach.

By buying all at once you'll have an easier time if something comes dead on arrival, and I would bet dollars to donuts you'll save some money in the long run.

 

[foghorn67]

AMD 780G, I'll look into that.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Originally posted by: DSF
Is there a reason you can't put the money into a savings account as it becomes available, and then spend once you have all of it collected? Planning a system with a build date "a long ways from now" is not the most sensible approach.

By buying all at once you'll have an easier time if something comes dead on arrival, and I would bet dollars to donuts you'll save some money in the long run.

I agree, it's best to buy everything at once. If you have to buy them over time, buy case,ps,hdd's first and buy mobo and cpu last

 

[foghorn67]

Okay forget I said that.
Any advice on what to buy?

 

[Blain]

You're planning on streaming HD content over a wireless network? :roll::shocked::roll:
Good luck with that!

 

[foghorn67]

Why not? There isn't that much mystery behind it.

 

[grimlykindo]

Originally posted by: foghorn67
Why not? There isn't that much mystery behind it.

Streaming HD over wireless is not possible - even with an N router it does not work. You will need a wired connection. Music and lower quality video is really the only thing that you can reliably stream over wireless IMO.

 

[Blain]

Maybe you'll be able to pull off HD streaming when the Z router comes out.

 

[foghorn67]

-----------Update 1------------------------------6-26----------------------------
It doesn't power on at all. Reseated everything, pins look straight and true. I had to turn down the TV, but the P/S make a slight sound when tryinig to turn on. Kind of like a camera flash powering on, but in reverse and very, very faint. I think a cap is bad.
Going to return it tonight for an Earthwatt 380 or 430.

 

[GuitarDaddy]

Recheck all your connections

4 pin aux plugged in? Front panel connections all correct? CMOS jumper in the correct position? Board shorting out to the case?

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: GuitarDaddy
Recheck all your connections

4 pin aux plugged in? Front panel connections all correct? CMOS jumper in the correct position? Board shorting out to the case?

CMOS Jumper? I think there is only a clear CMOS jumper.
Everything else seems okay.

 

[heyheybooboo]

Cheap PSUs just plain suck.

What series OCZ 2GB DDR 800 did you buy? Please list the timings and voltage. JEDEC standard spec for DDR2 800 is 5-5-5-18 @ 1.9v. You may have to start with a single stick and enter the BIOS to manually set your timings and voltage.

If you have a speaker you can connect it to the mobo speaker pins and check out the beep code error.

Gigabyte qualified OCZ memory for that mobo is OCZ2G800R22GK.

 

[foghorn67]

Originally posted by: heyheybooboo
Cheap PSUs just plain suck.

What series OCZ 2GB DDR 800 did you buy? Please list the timings and voltage. JEDEC standard spec for DDR2 800 is 5-5-5-18 @ 1.9v. You may have to start with a single stick and enter the BIOS to manually set your timings and voltage.

If you have a speaker you can connect it to the mobo speaker pins and check out the beep code error.

Gigabyte qualified OCZ memory for that mobo is OCZ2G800R22GK.

I'll try that when I get home. thanks for the tip. That part no. sounds familiar, I do believe that is what I have, but I'll double check.
I'm still returning the P/S. I know most Antec's are rebranded. But this is a re-branded no-brand junk.

 

[MagnusTheBrewer]

Check the connections to the case front controls. In the past, I've had a devil of a time troubleshooting because I assumed the connectors all attached with the label facing the same way instead of checking for pin one.

 

[foghorn67]

----------Update 2------------------------------6-26---------------------------
Returned the P/S. Thank God the Fry's rep put "return to vendor" on it. Got a Earthwatts 380. Plugged it in, and got success!
Windows XP blue screened if I enabled AHCI, so I am leaving it off. Hoping that's what it was.

Now for HDMI questions? What's the best way to set this up. I know I have to select the digital output in the BIOS, but for Windows Display settings, do I just put in the res for 720p and 60hz? Is that safe for a standard Westinghouse LCD HDTV?

For what's it's worth I tried the BR player using the Pixar/Disney Cars movie on my desktop last night. Holy Crap!!!!! I was only 1.5 feet away from my monitor, and it's downright dreamy in 1080p. Too bad my Westy is only 720p.

btw-everyone's input is very valuable. Thanks!

 

[heyheybooboo]

Originally posted by: foghorn67
----------Update 2------------------------------6-26---------------------------
Returned the P/S. Thank God the Fry's rep put "return to vendor" on it. Got a Earthwatts 380. Plugged it in, and got success!
Windows XP blue screened if I enabled AHCI, so I am leaving it off. Hoping that's what it was.

Now for HDMI questions? What's the best way to set this up. I know I have to select the digital output in the BIOS, but for Windows Display settings, do I just put in the res for 720p and 60hz? Is that safe for a standard Westinghouse LCD HDTV?

For what's it's worth I tried the BR player using the Pixar/Disney Cars movie on my desktop last night. Holy Crap!!!!! I was only 1.5 feet away from my monitor, and it's downright dreamy in 1080p. Too bad my Westy is only 720p.

btw-everyone's input is very valuable. Thanks!

I've got a 42-inch Westy 720p HD monitor that does 1920x1080 at what seems to be native. I sit 2+ meters away and prefer 1366x768 - makes it easier to see the text and type this message to you while I'm diggin' on that HDTV

AHCI has been buggy since sb600. SB750 is supposed to fix it. You are good to go at 60hz. If you want AC3 audio you need to pass the stream via optical (or coax) to your SS receiver.

From the comfort of my easy chair I just snagged a Silverstone LC13 from The Egg this evening for my htpc. If you are interested you might be able to pick one up for $20 or so less if you look around. Sharp lookin' case - - - here's the LC13 webpage

 

[foghorn67]

Nice case there. That is what I am looking for. When I was at Fry's looking for a replacement P/S, I was looking at some HTPC cases. Some looked great, but too small, like the Shuttle style cases. Your case looks perfect.

So, lol. I just realized that I need an IR receiver for my Logitech Harmony to work. What's the best way around that?

 

[BornStar]

I'd like to know about the IR receiver question as well. I'd prefer not to spend the money for both a remote and a receiver if I can get away with just the receiver.

 

[mrw0nka]

Originally posted by: grimlykindo

Originally posted by: foghorn67
Why not? There isn't that much mystery behind it.

Streaming HD over wireless is not possible - even with an N router it does not work. You will need a wired connection. Music and lower quality video is really the only thing that you can reliably stream over wireless IMO.

You can stream HD content over wireless even with a .11g router. You just need to make sure the signal is consistently strong.


And heyheybooboo, No. No, you don't have a 720p Westinghouse that does 1080p.