New HTPC build for a nooby

[Binky]

...I think the mobo only has 1 PCI slot. I may need a slot for the TV tuner...Oh it never ends!

Skip the slot requirement, get the HDhomerun. It's very, very good for ATSC use. There's really no downside to a networked tuner. It removes heat from the case, and it removes the need for a slot. As an added bonus, ANY computer on the network can use its tuners if they aren't already in use.

Oh, damn, I thought of a downside - you have to use another wall-wart power supply....

 

[bookwormsy]

If you are going to be editing AVCHD on this, I would say you need at least an i3, maybe even an i5. In my experiences with it, AVCHD requires quite a bit of processing power.

 

[krnmastersgt]

If you are going to be editing AVCHD on this, I would say you need at least an i3, maybe even an i5. In my experiences with it, AVCHD requires quite a bit of processing power.

This isn't a serious editing rig otherwise we'd have suggested a quad from the start. Stepping up the i3 might be a good idea for the Quick Sync and a bit more processing power, otherwise you'll be fine with just the G620.

 

[brywisco]

First off - thanks a ton for all the great repsonses and input. I have participated and lurked on several different forums (of various subjects) and i must say this one has some of the most helpful folks I have ever seen. Kudos to all of you.

So on the whole quick sync thing: Is it actually any easier/simpler/more intuitive (etc.) to actually use than other transcoding methods, or is it just faster? I don't think we will be doing huge amounts of transcoding to ipad, but when we do, it is valuable to have the process be easy to navigate.

 

[krnmastersgt]

http://www.anandtech.com/show/4083/...ore-i7-2600k-i5-2500k-core-i3-2100-tested/9/#

It's just faster it would appear, you'll need specific software to utilize it.

As for a list of software that can make use of it, though this list is more specifically for 3rd gen processors I don't think that it will be able to discern the difference between 2nd and 3rd gen. Intel's Quick Sync page lists all the software that officially suports Quick Sync on the right.

 

[mfenn]

First off - thanks a ton for all the great repsonses and input. I have participated and lurked on several different forums (of various subjects) and i must say this one has some of the most helpful folks I have ever seen. Kudos to all of you.

So on the whole quick sync thing: Is it actually any easier/simpler/more intuitive (etc.) to actually use than other transcoding methods, or is it just faster? I don't think we will be doing huge amounts of transcoding to ipad, but when we do, it is valuable to have the process be easy to navigate.

It just makes the encoding, well, quicker. (Don't hate me! :whiste That being said, the types programs that take advantage of QuckSync are typically pretty simple to use, kudos to krn for finding the list.

 

[Schmide]

An alternative to the HD Homerun Prime, the Hauppauge WinTV-DCR-2650 is a shell shocker today at 6pm east. It's basically a 2 tuner version that uses USB rather than the network, so it is only visible to the one computer. I would believe it will be around $60 after rebate.

I own both the HD Homerun prime and the Hauppauge WinTV-DCR-2650 and set my sister up with another HD Homerun prime. I find them both similar in performance. Realize you will need a good network connection (wired) and for the most part, the prime needs gigabit to use 3 tuners at once a network. You can basically get one stream over a wireless N network. People report problems over wireless a lot at the forums.

 

[brywisco]

Thanks for the heads-up, but I only need an ATSC tuner. I don't have cable at all.
I am looking seriously at the HDHomerun Dual but need to study it a bit closer to make sure I completely understand how it hooks up etc.
I will have 2 TV's with ethernet wiring between them.
It would also be best to have each TV connected to the antenna via coax so we can easily flip on a TV and watch OTA. I worry about all the coax splitters involved in taking the coax from a single antenna and then branching out to the TV's and the new HTPC tuner.

 

[Binky]

Thanks for the heads-up, but I only need an ATSC tuner. I don't have cable at all.
I am looking seriously at the HDHomerun Dual but need to study it a bit closer to make sure I completely understand how it hooks up etc.

It takes one coax antenna input and it outputs ONLY via network cable. On the computer, you install the HDhomerun software then configure Media Center as normal (just like a physically-installed TV card). You can then watch live TV or schedule recordings/series via media center.

I will have 2 TV's with ethernet wiring between them.
It would also be best to have each TV connected to the antenna via coax so we can easily flip on a TV and watch OTA. I worry about all the coax splitters involved in taking the coax from a single antenna and then branching out to the TV's and the new HTPC tuner.

It's probably just one more connection. It shouldn't be a problem. Any TV that is connected to a media center computer shouldn't need an antenna run. You can watch live tv through media center and have additional functionality as well (pause, rewind, etc.).

 

[brywisco]

Thanks Binky,

I was slowly arriving at that same conclusion from looking at the HDHR website.

 

[mfenn]

It's probably just one more connection. It shouldn't be a problem. Any TV that is connected to a media center computer shouldn't need an antenna run. You can watch live tv through media center and have additional functionality as well (pause, rewind, etc.).

The potential issue there is that you can easily run out of tuners on only a dual tuner box. Let's say that both TVs are being watched a scheduled recording is about to start. At that point, you have two choices:
- Somebody gets kicked off the TV so that the tuner can be used for recording
- The recording gets missed

Since it sounds like the OP already has coax run to the TVs, it makes sense to have at least one of them keep a direct antenna feed so that you can flip over to the TV's tuner if necessary.

OP, you can also get ATSC amplifiers for pretty cheap if you're worried about the number of splitters.

 

[brywisco]

OK - it has been a few weeks but here is where things stand with my build:

I have the following stuff on-hand:
cpu - i3-2125
ssd - Samsung 830 series 128GB
hdd - Samsung EcoGreen F4 2TB
case - In Win BK644.BN300TBL mATX mini tower w/300W psu

I ready to order a mobo + ram, but am honestly a bit overwhelmed and clueless - any guidance would be appreciated. I don't need anything too fancy, but want features that make sense for my build and the hardware I have listed above.

Thx in advance!!

 

[Binky]

For the motherboard, you really don't need the bells and whistles. Use the newegg "power" search and check the boxes for the features you must have. You definitely need HDMI, mATX form factor, at least one SATA 6gb, and a compatible chipset (H61 up through Z77 will work basically the same for a non-overclocked HTPC build). You may also need things like firewire, USB3, or other features.

The H61 boards start at about $70 and the Z77 boards start at around $105. Search here:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/PowerS...280&GASearch=3

The cheapest option I found with the above features is this H61 by Asrock:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813157236

The cheapest Z77 board I found is this MSI (I built one of these recently. Good so far):
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16813130647

 

[brywisco]

Thx Binky...I will check these out.

Sorry to be so ignorant, but is the SATA 6gb needed for the ssd?

 

[Binky]

Thx Binky...I will check these out.

Sorry to be so ignorant, but is the SATA 6gb needed for the ssd?

Yes, SATA 6gb is for the SSD. It's really not that important but I think all boards have it anyway.

 

[krnmastersgt]

It allows your SSD to operate at the speeds it's capable of, not what the older SATA II standard was capable of so while not necessary it is nice to have when you have a good SSD to go with it.

Also Binky's search recommendation is correct however I think the search wasn't quite ideal as I did not come up with the same boards. The board that should be cheapest for you is this ASRock H77M for $70 with free shipping. Or if shipping isn't actually an issue (other items have shipping or you have ShopRunner) then this ASRock B75M is probably the cheapest board, only slightly less than the H61 that Binky found but a better chipset overall.

 

[piasabird]

Even though it seems like it would be nice to have a MINI-ITX motherboard and case, often a standard size ATX case will work just fine. Normally a standard size ATX case and motherboard is a bit cheaper if you are willing to live with it. You can purchase an Antec 300 for around $54.00, and it has great cooling. A lot depends where you want to put the case.

 

[Binky]

Also Binky's search recommendation is correct however I think the search wasn't quite ideal as I did not come up with the same boards. The board that should be cheapest for you is this ASRock H77M for $70 with free shipping. Or if shipping isn't actually an issue (other items have shipping or you have ShopRunner) then this ASRock B75M is probably the cheapest board, only slightly less than the H61 that Binky found but a better chipset overall.

Agreed. The H77 linked above looks great. It's really no different than the H61 or H67 boards for the vast majority of HTPC uses, but its a newer chipset with more features overall and it looks pretty good.

For memory, just buy a cheap 8GB set (2x4gb) at 1333 speed. Try slickdeals (search for ddr3). You don't need faster memory and the H77 chipset might not be able to use faster memory anyway with a sandy bridge CPU. It's probably best to stick with memory that doesn't have huge heat spreaders either. Those can get in the way in small cases.

Here's a nice table on the new chipsets. Most of the differences are irrelevant for an HTPC.
http://www.techspot.com/guides/519-intel-z77-panther-point-chipset/page2.html

 

[brywisco]

Thanks for all the prompt responses and input.

I just ordered this stuff:
ASRock H77M mobo
Gskill value series 8Gb ram (DDR3 1333)
Lite on DVD writer
HDHomerun tuner
Win 7 OS
Windows MC remote + ir recvr

I wonder what cables etc. I will need since this is my first PC building adventure. It will surely make sense once it is all on my workbench.

Let the fun begin. I look forward to being able to record NFL games to watch at my leisure.

 

[mfenn]

You need three SATA cables (ODD, SSD, HDD), but the H77M only comes with two. You can pick up any old SATA cable off of Newegg, but I recommend getting one that has metal latches (like this) for a more secure fit.

 

[brywisco]

Good to know. It is frustrating to be missing these minor but critical components when it is time to put something together.

So as I anxiously await the arrival of the following stuff, I welcome any comments on my very first PC build. How am I doing so far??

My HTPC
CPU - i3-2125
Mobo - ASRock H77M (mATX)
SSD - Samsung 830 series 128GB
HDD - Samsung EcoGreen F4 2TB
ODD - Lite-On 24X DVD writer iHAS424
RAM - Gskill value series 8GB DDR3 1333
CASE - In Win BK644.BN300TBL mATX mini tower w/300W psu
OS - Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
TV Tuner - Silicondust HDHR3 (for OTA)
WMC remote

 

[mfenn]

Good to know. It is frustrating to be missing these minor but critical components when it is time to put something together.

So as I anxiously await the arrival of the following stuff, I welcome any comments on my very first PC build. How am I doing so far??

My HTPC
CPU - i3-2125
Mobo - ASRock H77M (mATX)
SSD - Samsung 830 series 128GB
HDD - Samsung EcoGreen F4 2TB
ODD - Lite-On 24X DVD writer iHAS424
RAM - Gskill value series 8GB DDR3 1333
CASE - In Win BK644.BN300TBL mATX mini tower w/300W psu
OS - Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit SP1
TV Tuner - Silicondust HDHR3 (for OTA)
WMC remote

Whoa whoa whoa, hold everything! Sorry for not catching this earlier. I would definitely NOT use a PSU that came with an In Win case for a brand new build like this.

You can pick up something decent like the CX430 for $25 AR right now. It's way overkill on wattage for this build, but the quality is good (spectacular compared to the In Win PSU).

 

[brywisco]

Thanks mfenn!

I was a bit concerned about the included PSU and am happy to purchase a better, more efficient one for this build. Are they pretty much a drop-in / plug and play deal, or might I run into minor details to work thru when installing?
I like the whole modular PSU idea, but don't know if it is really worth it overall.

Does the rest of my build seem pretty solid?

 

[lehtv]

Looks good!

 

[mfenn]

Thanks mfenn!

I was a bit concerned about the included PSU and am happy to purchase a better, more efficient one for this build. Are they pretty much a drop-in / plug and play deal, or might I run into minor details to work thru when installing?
I like the whole modular PSU idea, but don't know if it is really worth it overall.

Does the rest of my build seem pretty solid?

ATX PSUs are pretty standard, you should be able to just replace the one that comes with the case with the CX430. The sky is pretty much the limit with power supplies, but this build and budget don't really call for anything extravagant. The CX430 is a good-quality PSU, it just doesn't come with all the bells and whistles.