How's this for an HTPC build?

[Kaido]

I am planning on upgrading a 720p projector this summer (Mitsubishi HD1000u) and I'm considering building an all-in-one machine for recording SDTV, playing HD content, and streaming multimedia from my file server. Here are the specs:

Windows Media Center 2005
CyberLink PowerDVD Ultra
Cooler Master CM 260 case
ECS GeForce 6100S motherboard
2ghz Athlon X2
2gb 667mhz ram
500gb SATA
3.5" floppy / card reader
Dual-tuner card
LG GGW-H10N HD-DVD / Blu-ray combo drive
Fanless x1600 video card
Chaintech AV-710 sound card (7.1 & optical digital output)
Firefly remote control
Gyration keyboard & air mouse

I figure 500gb should be enough to store plenty of SD recordings. The worst part of the build is the ridiculously-priced HD-DVD / Blu-ray combo drive. Alternatively I could go with a cheaper Blu-ray drive and an external Xbox 360 HD-DVD drive, but I'd like to keep things simple for my family (i.e. one drive). Any particular "gotchas" to watch out for? I will be running the projector at 1280x800; the HDMI port has HDCP. All I need is a DVI to HDMI adapter, right?

 

[venkman]

You might want to consider an 8 Series Nvidia video card.

Link
If you don't want to do that, then I would reccomend switching to a Core 2 Duo system as I don't know if the x2 and x1600 will have enough juice to run HD Content. Remember, if you run your PC at 1280x800 then the PC has to take that 1920x1080p content and convert it down to 1280x800. My A643700+ and 7600GT did not have the power and it caused pretty bad lip synch issues.

I would also recomend an ATSC Tuner to get those local HD Channels. This one is REALLY good

If you need an OS, then get Windows Vista Home Premium edition. Once it is properly setup it is much better than XP MCE.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: venkman
You might want to consider an 8 Series Nvidia video card.

Link
If you don't want to do that, then I would reccomend switching to a Core 2 Duo system as I don't know if the x2 and x1600 will have enough juice to run HD Content. Remember, if you run your PC at 1280x800 then the PC has to take that 1920x1080p content and convert it down to 1280x800. My A643700+ and 7600GT did not have the power and it caused pretty bad lip synch issues.

I would also recomend an ATSC Tuner to get those local HD Channels. This one is REALLY good

If you need an OS, then get Windows Vista Home Premium edition. Once it is properly setup it is much better than XP MCE.

I only get like 3 OTA HD channels here (8 via cable ). PowerDVD specs said it needed a 3800+ or better plus an x1600 or better, so that's what I went with. I'm not sure about going with Vista MCE; it seems that MCE2005 is much more stable for doing basic HTPC stuff like playback and recording.

 

[venkman]

The Card I linked to also does QAM, so you can split all of those locals to your new PC for PVR work.

Do the powerDVD specs consider HD DVD or Blu Ray playback? My VistaMCE is spectacular in terms of recording and a lot better than my old XP box at recording in HD.

 

[Kaido]

Originally posted by: venkman
The Card I linked to also does QAM, so you can split all of those locals to your new PC for PVR work.

Do the powerDVD specs consider HD DVD or Blu Ray playback? My VistaMCE is spectacular in terms of recording and a lot better than my old XP box at recording in HD.

Does Vista MCE include HD-DVD & Blu-ray playback by default? I'm really just looking for an all-in-one solution. Also, do you know what the deal with CableCard is? Afaik you can only record OTA HD...

 

[venkman]

No. You would have to get a PowerDVD HD or Blu Ray edition. WinDVD makes a High Def software version also. CableCard for the PC is in an infant state. The cards can't even be purchased unless you are a certified OEM system builder. If you have a straight cable line into your home you can get the Locals in HD without a box as long as you have a QAM Capable HDTV Tuner.