HTPC Build Questions

[undeclared1]

Hey all,

I'm looking to create a new HTPC in order to play full 1080p video (including bluray/hd-dvd backups), as well as playing stuff like MKVs of movies downloaded off the internet (such as Big Buck Bunny if anyone has seen that...), It will also have a free to air card, and a blu-ray/hd-dvd player built-in as well, but I've been told not to worry about that at all (the software will work without issue)..

What matters the most in this case? Is it the processor, the video card?

I'm aware as a fact that I will need at bare minimum a low-end c2d/am2 CPU, and possibly a dedicated video card (but unconfirmed as of yet..)

If I decide to use integrated video, will nvidia 8300/amd 790g and such be enough to decode everything, including m2ts files from a blu-ray backup, and 1080p high bitrate mkvs? Will I need any special software to play blu-ray backups from the hard drive?

For the sound setup, will I need to buy something superior for getting 5.1 going with Dolby and what not, or can this easily be handled with onboard? Should I buy something like an X-FI for this purpose?

For video player and remote control what are your recommendations? I've heard suggestions of Xbox Media Center, MythTv, or straight Windows Media Center (although, I don't think this will support everything natively, unless the windows 7 version does do every format as I read might be planned..)

Is there any way I could have my Free to Air + my blu-ray player + my all-format player all ran under one roof (as if it was meant to be a set-top box) under software such as XBMC/MythTv/Windows MCE? if so, using one?

Remote control. I plan on buying a Logitech Harmony 890. Will I need a special case to support this, or is there some sort of RF/IR dongle I can get via USB, or PCI, etc?

And lastly, is there any alternatives to buying an HTPC otherwise? Maybe a set-top box that does it all that I am unaware of?

Edit after reading top thread:

1. Home theatre PC (with blu-ray/hd-dvd player & FTA card), playing 1080p all formats including MKV and m2ts
2. ~$1000
3. Canada
4. No preference. Best price to performance ratio.
5. I have no current parts to use.
6. I have searched, but I have only found mostly partial answers.
7. I don't plan on overclocking.
8. Within a few weeks.

Thanks,
undeclared

 

[mmntech]

I ran an article on my blog about HTPC builds a few months back. Here's one option I had.

Motherboard: Zotac GF9300-A-E Geforce 9300 LGA775 Micro-ATX ($136.49)
Processor: Intel Pentium E5200 Dual Core 2.5ghz ($90.99)
Memory: Kingston 4gb (2 x 2gb) DDR2 800mhz Dual Channel Kit ($48.49)
Graphics: Geforce 9300 (Included with Motherboard)
Hard Drive: Western Digital Caviar WD1001FALS 1TB/7200rpm/SATAII/3.5'' ($161.49)
Disc Drive: Lite-On iHES206-08 6x Blu-ray/22x DVD+/-RW SATAII/5.25'' ($148.49)
Case: Thermaltake LANBOX Lite VF6000BNS Black ($87.09)
Power Supply: PC Power & Cooling Silencer PPCS370X 370w ($62.09)
TV Tuner: Happauge WinTV-HVR 1800 MCE Kit PCIe 1x with Remote ($124.19)
Keyboard: Logitech Wireless RF EX100 with Mouse ($30.99)
Operating System: Windows Vista Home Premium SP1 OEM 64-bit ($149.99)

Total: $1040.30

All prices in Canadian Dollars from Newegg.ca. Some prices are probably a bit outdated though. I know Vista can be found for less. Now to answer some of your questions.

1. Most video decoding is done through the GPU these days. A good IGP will handle MPEG2 and H.264 decoding (mkv). The Zotac board I listed has a Geforce 9300M, which is plenty powerful enough. Even the older Geforce 8s will work. If HD will play on Atom rigs, it will play perfectly fine on any Core 2 based ones.

2. You need special software to rip BD movies, namely AnyDVD HD. You don't need anything special to play them back though. VLC should work as the most basic option.

3. It's debatable. Most onboard audio chips decode Dolby Digital or have an HDMI port (the Zotec board does) that allows raw audio data to be passed through to a home theatre receiver for processing. I'd go with CMedia CMI8788 or better chipsets rather than the X-FI. AFAIK, most sound cards still don't support Dolby True HD and DTS-MA so the HDMI pass-through route is ideal.

4. It's all up to preference. If using MythTV, use the Mythbuntu distro though since it can be difficult to patch onto existing Linux installs. Windows Vista Home Premium has all that stuff in it and will be more compatible with other software.

5. Yep, my suggested build includes an ATSC tuner card with remote. Works with Vista Media Centre out of the box.

6. I'm not sure about IR sensors.

7. There are lots of alternatives. Apple TV, Playstation 3, Xbox 360, Popcorn Hour, etc. These aren't as flexible as an HTPC though and can't import media by themselves.