HTPC Madness

[RyanM]

Currently working on spec'ing out an HTPC for a client. This'll probably be my most complex home theater/PC integration to date, so working out some of the logistics has been quite the task.

I think I've gotten the kinks worked out though.

I'll be using an ATI All-in-Wonder VE for input/output, since the user, thankfully, isn't a gamer. An Extigy handles audio, since I'd rather not sacrifice the only PCI slot this HTPC's going to have, in case I need to add an HDTV tuner down the line when those mature.

A Kenwood VR-7080 will handle receiving duties.
An combined Phono/Tape unit will be connected, as well as a 5-disc CD changer.
Finally, oldschool video will be handled by the cable box and a VCR.

All of this has to interface with the HTPC and provide as minimum of button pushing as possible; to that end, I've tried to use S-video at every stage of the receiver input/output so I don't have to keep the RCA-video cables for the older equipment, and so I need only send 3 cables over to the TV.

Here's the configuration I've come to choosing as the best overall. If anyone can see any major flaws in the system that I'm not picking up on, please point them out and make me look stupid so I can fix them in theory before I place any orders for custom cable and whatnot.

The HTPC Wiring Diagram

 

[Pariah]

You still need analog audio from the digital cable box to the receiver. I have digital cable here (Time Warner), but most station do not have digital audio, and if they don't, you don't get any audio unless you use analog. Also, what's the point of analog stereo out and digital out from the HTPC to the receiver? If you're not going to use multichannel analog out, don't bother with analog at all.

 

[Gonad the Barbarian]

I'd use the ATI component dongle and run it straight to the TV if the reciever doesn't have the inputs. All that time and money with an interlaced signal going to the TV seems sort of a waste. Even if the TV he's using can't do progressive now, any TV he gets down the road likely will.

 

[MercenaryForHire]

MachFive's posting again?

*stares off into the horizon*

Say, is that four horsemen?

- M4H

 

[RyanM]

Originally posted by: Pariah
You still need analog audio from the digital cable box to the receiver.

There is analog audio going to the reciever, it's just routed through the VCR. I suppose I could feed them to the receiver first, then to the VCR, but then I'm dealing with another stage of inputs and outputs. This simplifies it a bit.

Originally posted by: Gonad the Barbarian
I'd use the ATI component dongle and run it straight to the TV if the reciever doesn't have the inputs. All that time and money with an interlaced signal going to the TV seems sort of a waste. Even if the TV he's using can't do progressive now, any TV he gets down the road likely will.

Ugh. I was about to post a caveat about how I won't be using component, and then I figured, "I didn't say the word component. Surely someone wouldn't bring it up."

*sigh*

I've ruled out component because the distances from the reciever to the TV, or the HTPC to the TV, is far greater than 13 feet. In fact, the distance is borderline "S-video no-no," but thankfully, it's just under the wire. When the guy upgrades from his 480i oldschool interlaced tele, he'll have to buy a new entertainment center, and then EVERYTHING will be moved within spitting distance of the TV, at which point, f*ck component - DVI, baby!

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
MachFive's posting again?

*stares off into the horizon*

Say, is that four horsemen?

- M4H

*clop**clop**clop**clop**clop*

Are those coconuts being banged together, or the distant sound of the end of the world, riding on 4 ebony demonmares? You decide!

 

[MercenaryForHire]

Originally posted by: MachFive
*clop**clop**clop**clop**clop*

Are those coconuts being banged together, or the distant sound of the end of the world, riding on 4 ebony demonmares? You decide!

I'm gonna go with the coconuts.

- M4H

 

[RyanM]

"Where'd you get the coconut?"

 

[rbV5]

I've ruled out component because the distances from the reciever to the TV, or the HTPC to the TV, is far greater than 13 feet. In fact, the distance is borderline "S-video no-no

IMHO, 13' is no reason to rule out Component, and definately not borderline s-video either. I use 25' component and VGA cables on one and 25' s-video cable on my other HTPC with no discernable loss in picture quality. Also, the AIW VE doesn't have DVI so if he does go that route down the road, it'll take a different card. You also may not want to wait to long for HDTV cards to mature, they may not be available, (or at least not in there present form) in the not too distant future.

 

[RyanM]

You don't see HDTV tuner cards maturing the same way regular tuner cards have? Currently, none support 3rd party software, and I don't like the idea of locking a client down into some sh!tty 1st-party software when there's a chance the company won't share the source and allow 3rd party stuff to come out.

As for the length, the distance between the current reciever location and the TV requires a 34 foot cable, which is JUST within my acceptable tolerances for S-Video.

Though I trust your word that component cable can survive such distances, I don't know what kind of reaction I'd get telling the customer the video cable is going to cost as much as, if not more than, the center-channel speaker in the setup.

If it tells you anything about his ability (or lack thereof) to appreciate a fine cable signal, he's perfectly happy with the RCA-video running from his DVD-player currently. I have a feeling seeing an S-video signal coming from DVD will be more than enough to awe him until he's ready for HDTV and a new entertainment center.

 

[RyanM]

Thanks for the heads up on the AIW - That was one of those details that I'd decided on earlier and forgot to update as I redid the wiring diagram.

The guy's not a gamer, so I'm looking at the Gigabyte 9200 SE VIVO Radeon to handle TV input/output. Any thoughts?

 

[rbV5]

I'd check out AVS forum , it would be probably be worth the time to check out whats recommended there so that you can match the hardware with what your clients viewing habits are, to the software that it will work with.

 

[RyanM]

Thanks, AVS has definitely been an invaluable resource. Though it seems the people there are far more interested in cobbling together a frankenstein of applications for each specific task; few have anything useful to say about programs like Showshifter and its ilk.

 

[bluemax]

Originally posted by: MachFive
"Where'd you get the coconut?"

Perhaps if two swallows were tied together with a bit of string.....
But the question remains... African or European?