Home theater PC spec'ing

Qacer

Platinum Member
Apr 5, 2001
2,721
1
91
I'm dreaming of building a home theater PC. I've only used Newegg to see what I can come up with. If I were to get an HTPC, the purpose for it would be:

* Replace cable TV and watch videos online (e.g. Netflix, Hulu, etc.)
* Blu-ray player
* Enable 3D TV on my DLP set

The system must also have:

* Wireless networking (no access to wired Ethernet)
* HDMI output
* Wireless keyboard / tracking
* Compatible case dimensions to most TV stand racks
* Support for Tri-Def 3D experience software

This is my ~$933 (including shipping) system spec:

- nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum HTPC Case - $80
- LITE-ON 4X Blu-ray Reader - $60
- Intel Core2 Duo CPU E7500 Wolfdale 2.93GHz - $120
- Intel BOXDG45ID Motherboard Micro ATX - $105
- G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $84
- D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Wireless Router - $93
- Logitech diNovo Bluetooth Mini Keyboard - $140
- ENERMAX Liberty 400W ATX12V Modular power supply - $80
- D-Link DWA-556 PCI Express Xtreme NIC -$54
- Western Digital Caviar WD10EADS 1TB hard drive - $85

This is just a result of my wishful spec'ing. I really don't need an HTPC, but if I could build one, it would be something like the one described above.

If you were spec'ing out an HTPC system for the same reasons, do you think you can create a system that cost significantly less than the one above? If so, what components would you choose?
 
Last edited by a moderator:

Leros

Lifer
Jul 11, 2004
21,867
7
81
This fits better in the General Hardware forum.

This is my HTPC (prices from a year ago). It plays back 1080p compressed content as well as BluRay/HD-DVD and outputs them on a 1080p screen. It runs Windows 7 pretty well.

Mobo: ASUS M3A78-EM 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - $73.99
CPU: AMD Athlon X2 4850e 2.5GHz - $53.99
RAM: Kingston HyperX 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 1066 - $23.99
Optical: LG Bluray/HD-DVD, DVD±R Burner - $119.99
Case: Athenatech MicroATX Mini Tower w/ 400w PSU - $49.99
HD : Used one I had laying around - $0
Remote: have Vista MCE remote- $0

Total: $321.95
 
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Nebor

Lifer
Jun 24, 2003
29,582
12
76
I think you may be a little disappointed going to only internet provided TV programming. Quality is poor and availability isn't always great. I've been on the HTPC kick for years, and my current HTPC is basically what you have in mind (DG45ID based.)

Early next year we should see the Ceton 4 Tuner CableCard tuner, which when used with Windows 7 will allow recording of up to 4 HD shows at once, including HBO, Showtime, etc. If you live in an area with a good amount of ClearQAM channels available, you might consider a tuner for that if you don't want to pay for cable TV. I used an HD Homerun for years, and loved it, but there's no clearQAM where I am now.
 

Qacer

Platinum Member
Apr 5, 2001
2,721
1
91
Early next year we should see the Ceton 4 Tuner CableCard tuner, which when used with Windows 7 will allow recording of up to 4 HD shows at once, including HBO, Showtime, etc.

Holy cow! Thanks for the info! If I can save $15 a month by not paying for the DVR set top box, then that would be great.

I saw this presentation on the device:
http://www.geektonic.com/2009/09/multi-channel-cablecard-tuner-for.html

I'm drooling right now. If I can get this device, then I would not be limited to building an HTPC solely for the living room. I think I can go with a media center server setup and just use a media center extender for the TV in the living room.
 

TheVrolok

Lifer
Dec 11, 2000
24,254
4,092
136
This fits better in the General Hardware forum.

This is my HTPC (prices from a year ago). It plays back 1080p compressed content as well as BluRay/HD-DVD and outputs them on a 1080p screen. It runs Windows 7 pretty well.

Mobo: ASUS M3A78-EM 780G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - $73.99
CPU: AMD Athlon X2 4850e 2.5GHz - $53.99
RAM: Kingston HyperX 2GB 240-Pin DDR2 1066 - $23.99
Optical: LG Bluray/HD-DVD, DVD±R Burner - $119.99
Case: Athenatech MicroATX Mini Tower w/ 400w PSU - $49.99
HD : Used one I had laying around - $0
Remote: have Vista MCE remote- $0

Total: $321.95

Whch combo drive are you using? Since the fall of HD-DVD, I haven't been able to find a GGC-H20L anywhere cheap (without being used and I don't know if I trust that). I shoulda bought one when they were 200 new.
 
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Kalmah

Diamond Member
Oct 2, 2003
3,692
1
76
I havn't been keeping up.. The last that I heard there was security built into vista/windows 7 to prevent HD video copying. Wasn't that what a lot of people where raving about when vista first hit?

I'm confused about all of this and interested.
 

Leros

Lifer
Jul 11, 2004
21,867
7
81
Yeah, that's why I haven't been able to find the GGC-H20L anywhere for a good price. Was hoping maybe someone, somewhere still had them. I'd pop one into my computer and ditch my Toshiba HD-A3.

I think they were getting phased out when I bought mine a year ago. Bluray had already won and the price had started dropping for this combo drive.
 

TheVrolok

Lifer
Dec 11, 2000
24,254
4,092
136
I think they were getting phased out when I bought mine a year ago. Bluray had already won and the price had started dropping for this combo drive.

I'm kicking myself for not doing the same. I picked up my Toshiba A-3 and a whole bunch of HD-DVDs dirt cheap in that sale Toshiba used to try to kick up the HD-DVD market. I've since sold off most of the HD-DVDs but still have the ones that aren't in BRD. I wish I had one of those drives now :(
 

Leros

Lifer
Jul 11, 2004
21,867
7
81
I'm kicking myself for not doing the same. I picked up my Toshiba A-3 and a whole bunch of HD-DVDs dirt cheap in that sale Toshiba used to try to kick up the HD-DVD market. I've since sold off most of the HD-DVDs but still have the ones that aren't in BRD. I wish I had one of those drives now :(

A few months ago, Fry's still had xbox hd-dvd drives for $30.

Have you looked around for those xbox drives?
 
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Iron Woode

Elite Member
Super Moderator
Oct 10, 1999
31,095
12,597
136
I made a budget HTPC using non HD content since I don't own a HDTV.

MoBO: Asus M2NPV-VM
CPU: AMD AM2 3800+
RAM: 2 gig ddr2 800
HDD: 320 gig WD SATA
Optical: LG DVD burner
Case: Antec SLK1650B
Keyboard/Mouse: cordless Microsoft combo
OS: XP MCE 2005 and Win 7 Ultimate 32bit rc1
Remote: MS remote with IR blaster.

I believe this cost me under $400. It works great. I wouldn't mind upgrading to a Blueray drive and a HDTV.
 

cliftonite

Diamond Member
Jul 15, 2001
6,899
63
91
I would get an Nvidia card that supports CUDA. CoreAVC + Media PLayer Classic Home Cinema is GREAT.
 

TheVrolok

Lifer
Dec 11, 2000
24,254
4,092
136
A few months ago, Fry's still had xbox hd-dvd drives for $30.

Have you looked around for those xbox drives?

I didn't even realize that Windows drivers for the xbox hd-dvd drive had been circulating. That sounds like a good idea. Thanks for the heads up. Won't even have to waste a drive bay on it, can simply just hook it up when I feel like watching a HD-DVD.
 

TridenT

Lifer
Sep 4, 2006
16,800
45
91
I'm dreaming of building a home theater PC. I've only used Newegg to see what I can come up with. If I were to get an HTPC, the purpose for it would be:

* Replace cable TV and watch videos online (e.g. Netflix, Hulu, etc.)
* Blu-ray player
* Enable 3D TV on my DLP set

The system must also have:

* Wireless networking (no access to wired Ethernet)
* HDMI output
* Wireless keyboard / tracking
* Compatible case dimensions to most TV stand racks
* Support for Tri-Def 3D experience software

This is my ~$933 (including shipping) system spec:

- nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum HTPC Case - $80
- LITE-ON 4X Blu-ray Reader - $60
- Intel Core2 Duo CPU E7500 Wolfdale 2.93GHz - $120
- Intel BOXDG45ID Motherboard Micro ATX - $105
- G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 - $84
- D-Link DIR-655 Xtreme N Wireless Router - $93
- Logitech diNovo Bluetooth Mini Keyboard - $140
- ENERMAX Liberty 400W ATX12V Modular power supply - $80
- D-Link DWA-556 PCI Express Xtreme NIC -$54
- Western Digital Caviar WD10EADS 1TB hard drive - $85

This is just a result of my wishful spec'ing. I really don't need an HTPC, but if I could build one, it would be something like the one described above.

If you were spec'ing out an HTPC system for the same reasons, do you think you can create a system that cost significantly less than the one above? If so, what components would you choose?

lol wtf. Why spend $140 on a keyboard and not put that towards something useful like a graphics card or HSF or a SSD?
 

Bignate603

Lifer
Sep 5, 2000
13,897
1
0
Maybe because you need a good wireless keyboard to let you control the pc from the couch? The cheap wireless keyboards have terrible range so most people go with bluetooth keyboards, the logitech one I was looking at for mine was $130. That price range is pretty typical.
 

Raduque

Lifer
Aug 22, 2004
13,140
138
106
lol wtf. Why spend $140 on a keyboard and not put that towards something useful like a graphics card or HSF or a SSD?

The diNovo bluetooth keyboards > you.


On a side note, it appears my LG HDDVD/BRD might be desirable and rare..
 

TridenT

Lifer
Sep 4, 2006
16,800
45
91
Maybe because you need a good wireless keyboard to let you control the pc from the couch? The cheap wireless keyboards have terrible range so most people go with bluetooth keyboards, the logitech one I was looking at for mine was $130. That price range is pretty typical.

Meh. Bluetooth keyboards have sucked in my experience.
 

TheVrolok

Lifer
Dec 11, 2000
24,254
4,092
136
The diNovo bluetooth keyboards > you.


On a side note, it appears my LG HDDVD/BRD might be desirable and rare..

You have one of the GGC-H20L's? It's no longer made so I'll bet you could unload it if you wanted to, like I said earlier, I'm looking for one. I'm sure there are a number of people who have both BRDs and HD-DVDs that would like a way to consolidate players. However, I didn't realize that the Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive was PC compatible with ease so now I'm just hunting one of them down .. unless you'd wanna unload that drive for like 50 bucks. :p
 

dmw16

Diamond Member
Nov 12, 2000
7,608
0
0
I think you may be a little disappointed going to only internet provided TV programming. Quality is poor and availability isn't always great. I've been on the HTPC kick for years, and my current HTPC is basically what you have in mind (DG45ID based.)

Early next year we should see the Ceton 4 Tuner CableCard tuner, which when used with Windows 7 will allow recording of up to 4 HD shows at once, including HBO, Showtime, etc. If you live in an area with a good amount of ClearQAM channels available, you might consider a tuner for that if you don't want to pay for cable TV. I used an HD Homerun for years, and loved it, but there's no clearQAM where I am now.

I think you can already get the ATI HD cable card tuner. They can be had on eBay but run in the $250 range.
 

Raduque

Lifer
Aug 22, 2004
13,140
138
106
You have one of the GGC-H20L's? It's no longer made so I'll bet you could unload it if you wanted to, like I said earlier, I'm looking for one. I'm sure there are a number of people who have both BRDs and HD-DVDs that would like a way to consolidate players. However, I didn't realize that the Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive was PC compatible with ease so now I'm just hunting one of them down .. unless you'd wanna unload that drive for like 50 bucks. :p


I don't know if it's a GGC-H20L model, but it is an LG HDDVD/BR drive. I don't want to sell it, not right now.

However, I'd be willing to sell my Xbox360 HDDVD drive if the offer was right...