New all-in-one Home Theater build... a few questions

[palehorse]

Proposed build:

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HTPC SYSTEM
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CASE: Antec Veris Fusion V2 Black (w/430w PSU) = $160.99
MOBO: GIGABYTE GA-E7AUM-DS2H LGA 775 NVIDIA GeForce 9400 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard - Retail = $134.99
CPU: Intel Core 2 Duo E8400 3.0GHz Processor = $159.50
MEM: G.SKILL PI Black 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800 (PC2 6400) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-6400CL4D-4GBPI-B - Retail = $59.99
CPU HEATSINK: Scythe SCMNJ-1000 80mm Sleeve "NINJA MINI" CPU Cooler - Retail = 35.99
CHIPSET HEATSINK: Thermalright HR-05 SLI/IFX Chipset Cooler = $26.99
HDD0: (WD 1TB - already owned) = $N/A
HDD1: Seagate Barracuda 7200.11 ST31500341AS 1.5TB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive (bare drive) - OEM = $129.99
TUNER(S): Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1800 HD tuner = $95.00
HD OTA ANTENNA: Philips PHDTV1 Silver Sensor UHF/HDTV Digital Indoor TV Antenna = $24.99
MOUSE/KEYBOARD: LOGITECH diNovo Mini = $125.00
OPTICAL DRIVE: LG Black 6X Blu-ray DVD-ROM 16X DVD-ROM 40X CD-ROM SATA Internal Combo LG Blu-ray/HD DVD-ROM & 16X DVD±R DVD Burner Model GGC-H20LK - OEM = $129.99
REMOTE: Microsoft Remote Control W/RECEIVER = $36.96
MISC: Need MOLEX TO SATA Adapter to add power for third SATA device (HERE) = $1.27

Planned software (all already owned):
- Vista 32-bit (VMC + MyMovies Plugin)
- Firefox
- Orb (Server)
- Simplify Media (Server)
- iTunes (Server)
- VLC
- PowerDVD and WinDVD
- VideoRedo TVsuite
- DVDshrink
- Daemon Tools Lite
- WinRAR
- PAR Buddy
- Newsleecher
- B*Torrent
- MediaMonkey
- Hamachi
- Handbrake
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ESTIMATED HTPC SUBTOTAL = $1121.65
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AUDIO SYSTEM
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SURROUND SOUND SYSTEM: Onkyo HT-S9100THX 7.1 HTIB = $749.99
SPEAKER WIRE: 14AWG CL2 Rated 2-Conductor Loud SPEAKER Cable - 100ft (For In-Wall Installation) = $22.40
PLUGS: (14 PAIRS) High-Quality Copper Speaker Banana Plugs - Closed Screw Type [JX-74043] = (14x $1.98) = $27.72
SPEAKER STANDS: Onkyo AS240B (Pair) = $99.99
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ESTIMATED AUDIO SUBTOTAL = $900.10
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VIDEO SYSTEM
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TELEVISION: Panasonic Viera TH-58PZ850U 58" Plasma TV = $2791.99
TV STAND: Techcraft ABS60 60" A/V Credenza - Antique Black distressed Finish, 23.75"H X 59.75"W X 23.5"D = $267.20
XBOX 360: (Already owned) = $N/A
NINTENDO WII: (Already owned) = $N/A
VERIZON FIOS HD DVR: (Already owned) = $N/A
UNIVERSAL REMOTE: Logitech Harmony One Advanced Universal Remote = $176.92
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ESTIMATED VIDEO SUBTOTAL = $3236.11
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ESTIMATED TOTAL = $5257.86
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My goal is a system that will last for more than a couple of years and allow me to play/stream/serve up all media (up to 1080p) -- including externally via iTunes, Simplify Media, and Orb. If my collection ever outgrows the 2.5GB I have there, I will look into adding a NAS of some sort. Until then, I need this HTPC to be the center of just about everything I do with my media.

As you can tell by the software listed, I will also use the box as a portal for downloadable content. As such, it will require some serious CPU power for all audio/video ripping and conversions.

I plan to output all audio/video via HDMI to my Onkyo receiver. I will also be using two xbox 360's as extenders elsewhere in my house.

My concerns:

1) are there any similar style/size cases that allow for more than two 3.5" drives?
2) is there a better in-house antenna for roughly the same price?
3) is there a better tuner that works with Orb?
4) are there any Blu-ray burner deals out there for under $200?
5) is this system complete overkill for a long-lasting HTPC?
6) are there any known conflicts with my chosen equipment?
7) am I missing anything?
8) would I be better off swapping the E8400 dualcore for a Q6600 quadcore? (They're roughly the same price)

Any thoughts or advice would be much appreciated. Thanks ahead of time!

 

[jtvang125]

My goal is a system that will last for more than a couple of years and allow me to play/stream/serve up all media (up to 1080p) -- including externally via iTunes, Simplify Media, and Orb. If my collection ever outgrows the 2.5GB I have there, I will look into adding a NAS of some sort. Until then, I need this HTPC to be the center of just about everything I do with my media.

As you can tell by the software listed, I will also use the box as a portal for downloadable content. As such, it will require some serious CPU power for all audio/video ripping and conversions.

I plan to output all audio/video via HDMI to my Onkyo receiver. I will also be using two xbox 360's as extenders elsewhere in my house.

I don't think vista is even going to install on that drive.;P

Anyways:
1. Yes there are plenty of htpc cases (mine holds 4 internally)
2. Not sure
3. Not sure
4. Players, yes. Burners, dont think so yet.
5. No, overkill is better than being underpowered
6. Shouldn't be
7. More HDD space if you're planning on ripping any dvd/bluray. A video card with h.264 hardware decoding to help offload task from cpu.
8. Dual core at that speed is more than sufficient for watching and recording hd

 

[palehorse]

Originally posted by: jtvang125
I don't think vista is even going to install on that drive.;P

On which one? I plan to partition the 1TB WD I already have and use that for the OS install(s). Why wouldn't it work?

Anyways:
1. Yes there are plenty of htpc cases (mine holds 4 internally)

Do any of them use the micro-ATX formfactor? I've seen the ATX versions that hold 4 or 5, but I haven't found a decent micro-ATX that holds more than 2. Got link?

7. More HDD space if you're planning on ripping any dvd/bluray. A video card with h.264 hardware decoding to help offload task from cpu.

The motherboard has the brand new Nvidia 9400 chipset. It's supposed to handle all the HD encoding/decoding just fine, and it also does 8-channel LPCM over HDMI!

8. Dual core at that speed is more than sufficient for watching and recording hd

Will it also handle all the extra server-type software I plan to run? (iTunes, Orb, Simplify Media, VMC with Mymovies, etc)

I just want to be extra sure that the E8400 can handle all of those server tasks AND do all sorts of downloading, decrypting, decompressing, streaming, etc, at the same time. My current rig with a dualcore Opty 170 (at 2.7Ghz) bogs down fairly quickly when I run everything on it... hence the new build.

Thanks again for the tips!

 

[gameover]

1) are there any similar style/size cases that allow for more than two 3.5" drives?

There are several. I personally love the Fusion. Also if your going to get the Fusion get the V3. It has an internal IR receiver built in, that way you won't have to have the IR dongle sitting out somewhere.

Fusion V3 430 Black

Fusion Max - 4 with internal drive bays

2) is there a better in-house antenna for roughly the same price?

I suggest reading this.

Top Rated Digital TV HDTV Indoor Antenna Review Test Round-Up Guide

3) is there a better tuner that works with Orb?

Orb is pretty interesting. From what I can tell your tuner doesn't really make a difference. However, the better your input file the better the output will be.

4) are there any Blu-ray burner deals out there for under $200?

Well, you didn't pick a blu-ray burner. Your drive will read blu-ray disks but can only burn DVD's. You need Model GGW-H20LK if you want to burn Blu-Ray disks. If you want something that can last a few years you might as well spend the extra cash.

Blu-Ray burner - $229

5) is this system complete overkill for a long-lasting HTPC?

You choice of parts isn't over kill but I don't think it is ideal.

First off how about you tuner, which is a huge part of your system. I really don't like the tuner you picked. It's a fairly old model (in computer time). You can really only record 1 channel at a time unless you have 1 source that is ATSC and one source that is clear QAM.

I like the Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 Dual TV Tuner for normal shows. It's a dual hybrid tuner so it makes it less of a hassel if you move or your cable provider changes. Both inputs will accept pretty much whatever you throw at it. Also, clear QAM won't get you very far. Your getting a large HDTV and your going to miss out recording preimium TV if you don't get something like a r5000 cable box or a HD PVR.

HD PVR

This box will record HDTV from a component source. I think it will only do 5.1 sound though. Which isn't bad. I don't think your setup would be right without one.

I don't think I would go for the GeForce 9400 either. GPU accelerated transcoding is right around the corner. I think Dec 10th ATI drivers will be updated for the 4XXX cards. Might was well wait at least a week to see if your going to want a video card anyways.

And I'm not sure if your going to be happy with the LOGITECH diNovo Mini. It looks like your going to be using the keyboard alot give your software choices. You might want to consider the full size diNovo Edge.

7) am I missing anything?

Of course, but you won't know what that is until you get into it. There is always something you forget when building and setting up. Save a little something for when you find that last missing piece you need. Also get SlySoft AnyDVD HD.

8) would I be better off swapping the E8400 dualcore for a Q6600 quadcore? (They're roughly the same price)

The last guy was right at that price it doesn't matter really. I would do the quad myself, because the only thing that the dual core will do faster is transcode video.

7. More HDD space if you're planning on ripping any dvd/bluray. A video card with h.264 hardware decoding to help offload task from cpu. The motherboard has the brand new Nvidia 9400 chipset. It's supposed to handle all the HD encoding/decoding just fine, and it also does 8-channel LPCM over HDMI!

Based on what I've heard, you won't notice a difference on how you get your 8 channel sound on a $800 budget for audio equipment.

Good luck and do some more shopping around. I can find every single item you listed cheaper then the price you have.