New HTPC Build Help

[Slugbait]

We purchased a $1600 Sony - BRAVIA 60" Class / 1080p / 120Hz / LED-LCD HDTV - KDL60EX700 (DISPLAY MODEL) from Sam's Club - no tax.

Boxed, that TV starts at over $2200. Nice play. But I implore you...for a display model, you are encouraged to get the extended warranty. That TV already has hundreds of hours, and who knows what abuse it has had.

I'm the wrong person to ask about your sound system. My DefTech BPs alone retail for twice your entire budget, and wireless isn't an option with me for audio.

 

[Kenny536]

Slug, yeah it is a great deal . We definitely will get the extended warranty. Sam's club is pretty good about the returns too. Seems like nothing wrong with it so far. Thanks a lot for your help so far!

 

[Kenny536]

I have been researching speaker systems heavily the last couple days, and I think I finally have a winner that meets all my requirements.

Sony HT-SS370 1 kW 5.1 Home Theater System

It is $258 shipped at thenerds.net with the -$8 holiday couponcode.

With the Bravia Sync, it is a perfect fit with our new Bravia TV.

The two requirements that it does not meet, by itself, is the wireless rear speakers and the true-HD/DTS-HD audio decoding in the A/V receiver.

The wireless rear speakers problem can be solved with the universal Rocketfish set, so +$110 (but we have a gift card!).

As for the true-HD/DTS-HD, that can still be done via LPCM even if the AV/Receiver does not decode that audio format. I have a PS3 and the blueray on there will do the decoding for those HD audio formats - so the blueray will do the decoding and send it to the A/V receiver.

So knowing that I am doing this, will it change any of the requirements for the hardware I need? I'll still be fine without a dedicated GPU? Whether that is having the GPU in the mobo, or included in the Intel i3 Clarkdale, either one will support the true-HD and everything else, right? Are there any problems that you guys anticipate I will have?

So the total will be:

$259 - Speaker system
$110 - Rocketfish
$15 - Tall front speaker stands
$238 - Pinnacle 56 Inch TV Stand with 2 Glass Doors - NEX1210 [link]

= $622

Now that all this is done, I can refocus on the HTPC hardware!

 

[mfenn]

I would expect those speakers to be merely "OK", not anything special. The i3's IGP supports 1080P hardware video decode and bitstreaming of HD audio codecs. The 880G IGP supports 1080P hardware decode but not bitstreaming of HD audio codecs (you can still do LPCM) AFAIK. Bottom line, you don't need a dedicated GPU, and you don't want the extra heat, power, and noise that one creates.

 

[piasabird]

Intel only built the integrated HD Video to meet the standard. Often methods that implement Video and Audio in external products dont implement things according to the standard properly. There may be certain issues with certain external devices you need to check on.

 

[Kenny536]

Piasa - I'm sorry, I don't understand what you are saying. Could you please be more specific.

 

[Kenny536]

Do you guys see any need for an additional blu-ray player in my HTPC if I am already going to have one in my SONY PS3, which will be with the HDTV anyway, since it is needed for the trueHD/DTS-HD decoding. Also, wouldn't I need to buy blu-ray software if I went with a blu-ray player/DVD combo drive? I'm thinking of just going with a $15-20 DVDRW drive and leaving the blu-ray playing to the PS3, just to save $40 - although I know the ps3 can play dvds as well

Here is what I am thinking now - please let me know your opinion on this build for the HTPC:

-Intel Core i3-540 Clarkdale 3.06GHz LGA 1156 73W Dual-Core Desktop Processor BX80616I3540
-ASUS P7H55-M/CSM LGA 1156 Intel H55 HDMI Micro ATX Intel Motherboard
-G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3
-Seagate Barracuda 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal HDD
After combo discount for the 4 above (-$33)
= $300

CASE:

I am thinking this case will be perfect for the price:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16811204037
$70 nMEDIAPC Black HTPC 6000B ATX Media Center / HTPC Case
With that case, there is no need to buy an internal card reader.

PSU:

OCZ ModXStream Pro OCZ600MXSP 600W (Modular)
$63 with promo + $20 MIR

total = $433
- MIR = $413
Should I get this PSU instead?
Link

Am I forgetting anything? I will be using my ps3 as the blu-ray/DVD drive.

Will all these things be compatible with what I want to do? Am I missing any ports that I will need? Will I need anything else?

What about wires?
Besides an HDMI cable, what else will I need?
I was told that I may need an adapter cable from video card to TV? Are they called displayport to HDMI cables?
http://www.monoprice.com/products/subdepartment.asp?c_id=104&cp_id=10428
I am here, but I am not sure which one I need.. especially when they assign genders to the adapters.

Do I need to purchase any other remotes aside from the Lenovo one I purchased? I noticed that has buttons to forward, play, rewind, and things like that along with functioning as a keyboard and mouse. Will I be able to sync all that with my PS3 blurays/DVDs? What about the DISH?

Thanks!

 

[RaiderJ]

I would expect those speakers to be merely "OK", not anything special. The i3's IGP supports 1080P hardware video decode and bitstreaming of HD audio codecs. The 880G IGP supports 1080P hardware decode but not bitstreaming of HD audio codecs (you can still do LPCM) AFAIK. Bottom line, you don't need a dedicated GPU, and you don't want the extra heat, power, and noise that one creates.

Quick question - I'm looking at building a mini-ITX HTPC. Would an i3-based system do all the proper audio outputs over HDMI? I'd like to make sure I'm set for all the current surround formats (does the term bitstreaming cover this?).

I'd like to have a single HDMI cable from my HTPC to my receiver. The receiver would then strip off the audio, passing the picture onto the TV. I was previously looking at getting an AMD video card to do all my audio/video outputs - but I'd be happier with an onboard setup if it's just as functional for media purposes.

 

[Kenny536]

CPU/MOBO Combo:

Intel Core i3-550 Clarkdale 3.2 GHz
+ ASUS P7G55-M PRO

- $220 Newegg


Hard Drive:

Western Digital 1.5 TB Caviar Green SATA Intellipower 64 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive WD15EARS by Western Digital

- $60 Amazon


PSU:

Ill just go with the non-modular PSU, 30$ after MIR.
Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

- $30 Newegg


RAM:

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333

- $44 Newegg


DVD Burner:

LG DVD±RW SuperMulti Drive Black SATA Model GH22NS50B

- $16 Newegg

= $370

Now that I think about it, perhaps I should get the blu-ray player for $40 - only $24 more. Since the PS3 will not be able to rip blu-rays, and the blu-ray player on the PC will. Unfortunately, it is sold out now, but I will just wait until it is back.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106325

So that would make the total $354.

Will I need to use a TV tuner card for anything? Integrating the DISH satellite to the HTPC? Is that possible? Or is the TV tuner card just for recording DISH programs on to the HTPC?

I apparently have the following stuff lying around from a couple years back:
extra wireless adapter, tv tuner card, and a NVIDIA eGeforce-8600GTS

I can put the first two things to use, any need for the dedicated GPU? Just unnecessary clutter, right?

Lastly, I'm thinking of integrating bluetooth as well, but I doubt that comes with the motherboard. I'll just go with a USB bluetooth receiver for cheap.

 

[mfenn]

Quick question - I'm looking at building a mini-ITX HTPC. Would an i3-based system do all the proper audio outputs over HDMI? I'd like to make sure I'm set for all the current surround formats (does the term bitstreaming cover this?).

I'd like to have a single HDMI cable from my HTPC to my receiver. The receiver would then strip off the audio, passing the picture onto the TV. I was previously looking at getting an AMD video card to do all my audio/video outputs - but I'd be happier with an onboard setup if it's just as functional for media purposes.

Yes, bitstreaming is what you want. You will be able to do a single HDMI connection with any of the current Intel or AMD integrated graphics chips.

CPU/MOBO Combo:

Intel Core i3-550 Clarkdale 3.2 GHz
+ ASUS P7G55-M PRO

- $220 Newegg


Hard Drive:

Western Digital 1.5 TB Caviar Green SATA Intellipower 64 MB Cache Bulk/OEM Desktop Hard Drive WD15EARS by Western Digital

- $60 Amazon


PSU:

Ill just go with the non-modular PSU, 30$ after MIR.
Antec EarthWatts Green EA-380D Green 380W Continuous power ATX12V v2.3 / EPS12V 80 PLUS BRONZE Certified Active PFC Power Supply

- $30 Newegg


RAM:

CORSAIR 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333

- $44 Newegg


DVD Burner:

LG DVD±RW SuperMulti Drive Black SATA Model GH22NS50B

- $16 Newegg

= $370

This looks pretty decent. You got rid of that stinky OCZ PSU and Seagate HDD. I would make sure that that Corsair RAM is 1.5V though.

Now that I think about it, perhaps I should get the blu-ray player for $40 - only $24 more. Since the PS3 will not be able to rip blu-rays, and the blu-ray player on the PC will. Unfortunately, it is sold out now, but I will just wait until it is back.
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16827106325

So that would make the total $354.

Will I need to use a TV tuner card for anything? Integrating the DISH satellite to the HTPC? Is that possible? Or is the TV tuner card just for recording DISH programs on to the HTPC?

You could use the TV tuner to get OTA HD signals, but integrating it with your current Dish setup is likely to be a PITA. Better to just get one of their DVRs IMHO.

I apparently have the following stuff lying around from a couple years back:
extra wireless adapter, tv tuner card, and a NVIDIA eGeforce-8600GTS

I can put the first two things to use, any need for the dedicated GPU? Just unnecessary clutter, right?

The wireless card is probably useful, but I would probably forget the TV tuner (as mentioned above). That 8600 is so sold that the Intel HD graphics probably has better video decode support.

Lastly, I'm thinking of integrating bluetooth as well, but I doubt that comes with the motherboard. I'll just go with a USB bluetooth receiver for cheap.

Yes, one of those mini Bluetooth adapters is the way to go for this.

 

[Kenny536]

Yes, the RAM is 1.5V. Why is that important?
I can look into OTA HD, now that I don't need to buy anything extra for that. Although I'm still not exactly sure how it works, but Slugbait gave me a link that may help clear the confusion. Just to clarify, are you saying integrating the TV Tuner with my Dish in order to get OTA HD will be a PITA? The DISH guy is actually coming over this week to install the HD Dish.

Thanks!

 

[mfenn]

Yes, the RAM is 1.5V. Why is that important?
I can look into OTA HD, now that I don't need to buy anything extra for that. Although I'm still not exactly sure how it works, but Slugbait gave me a link that may help clear the confusion. Just to clarify, are you saying integrating the TV Tuner with my Dish in order to get OTA HD will be a PITA? The DISH guy is actually coming over this week to install the HD Dish.

Thanks!

1.5V RAM is important because anything else puts additional strain on the Intel memory controller and may lead to a shorter life.

OTA stands for "over the air" aka. terrestrial broadcasts received by an antenna aka. normal TV that your grandparents used. Satellite and cable TV are not OTA. Your TV tuner (assuming that it's recent enough to be HD) will let you tune into OTA signals, but will not help you with your satellite TV.

 

[Kenny536]

Tried putting the PC together tonight. I think I may be doing something wrong. After finally putting everything in the case and plugging everything in through the PSU - I am not getting any power. The only thing I see that turns on is the Standby LED Powerlight on the motherboard. I really don't want to take everything out and troubleshoot it - but that is the only thing I can think of right now.

 

[Kenny536]

Okay fixed it.
I didn't know that I had to hook up the power switch from case. In the desktop I built 2 years ago, flipping the PSU switch would turn everything on, at the very least the CPU fan, but I guess it is different in this one.

I have another problem though, of course.
Now my problem is that the CPU fan is unbearably loud for some reason. Could this be something to do with the motherboard or the cpu fan not being secured in the case? I thought they were pretty secure but something is definitely wrong. Also, one of the case fans is making a slight ticking noise - it is annoying even by itself even when i unplug the cpu fan - not sure why bc the other case fan right next to it is perfectly silent.

 

[mnewsham]

Okay fixed it.
I didn't know that I had to hook up the power switch from CPU. In the desktop I built 2 years ago, flipping the PSU switch would turn everything on, at the very least the CPU fan, but I guess it is different in this one.

I have another problem though, of course.
Now my problem is that the CPU fan is unbearably loud for some reason. Could this be something to do with the motherboard or the cpu fan not being secured in the case? I thought they were pretty secure but something is definitely wrong. Also, one of the case fans is making a slight ticking noise - it is annoying even by itself even when i unplug the cpu fan - not sure why bc the other case fan right next to it is perfectly silent.

Check for wires in fans, also is this stock hsf? If not it might have adhesive strips to put on the heat sink where you mount the fans so they don't rattle.

 

[mfenn]

Okay fixed it.
I didn't know that I had to hook up the power switch from case. In the desktop I built 2 years ago, flipping the PSU switch would turn everything on, at the very least the CPU fan, but I guess it is different in this one.

I have another problem though, of course.
Now my problem is that the CPU fan is unbearably loud for some reason. Could this be something to do with the motherboard or the cpu fan not being secured in the case? I thought they were pretty secure but something is definitely wrong. Also, one of the case fans is making a slight ticking noise - it is annoying even by itself even when i unplug the cpu fan - not sure why bc the other case fan right next to it is perfectly silent.

If the HSF isn't mounted properly, then yes the fan can spin up to be very loud because the CPU will be getting too hot. Check your temps, (should be in the 30's C in while sitting in the BIOS). If they look OK, your BIOS probably has a way to adjust the fan profile.

As for the case fan, if there are no obstructions, it sounds like you just have a bad fan. Luckily that's a quick and simple thing to replace.

 

[zagood]

CPU fan - go into Hardware Monitoring in the BIOS, enable Q-Fan Control. Adjust to your liking.

Case fan - check to make sure there aren't any wires meeting the blades. Take out of case and see if it makes the same sound when you're holding it. If it does, it's defective. Contact the case manufacturer for a replacement.

 

[0roo0roo]

Well if it isn't mounted right it would be pretty severe. Make sure the bios is set to control the fan speed, and if it is still too loud, change the fan speed settings, the starting speed and the rate of increase on temp can be changed generally, lower it big time. Default settings can be very loud. They are set to make sure a dumb user won't burn their cpu. I doubt the fan is not mounted, it will literally wobble if you push on the hsf if it werent secure. and even then the fan is mounted to the hs, not the mb, it wouldn't make more noise.

Ticking fan, you have to replace it with a nicer model unless its literally touching some wires.

 

[Kenny536]

Okay I have everything running now.

The two issues I bought up earlier sort of fixed themselves. The CPU fan isn't too loud anymore - I think it is just for a bit initially when booting up. And the case fan just stopped making noise, don't know why.

I have everything up and running and everything is great so far, no issues with the HTPC, AV Receiver, surround sound, or anything.

One thing I do need to test the TRUEHD/DTS HD Audio, haven't gotten to that yet.

Next thing I need to decide is if I want WMC or XMBC. Also ordering NetFlix for them.

Lastly, I want the HTPC to do webcam chatting. I don't know if this will work, but what I want to do is have two bluetooth microphones. One near the couch (15 ft from the TV), and one in the kitchen (25 ft from the tv). And obviously a web cam on top of the TV.
I would like it so the person can speak freely without having a headset or anything on, just speaking into the bluetooth mic in the kitchen or living room, and the person's voice on the other end can come through the surround sonud. I'm guessing there may be noise interference and feedback issues though.

Any thoughts or opinions on this? Anyone heard of people doing this before? Or anyone know any good deals on webcams/bluetooth mics?

Thanks!

 

[mnewsham]

Okay I have everything running now.

The two issues I bought up earlier sort of fixed themselves. The CPU fan isn't too loud anymore - I think it is just for a bit initially when booting up. And the case fan just stopped making noise, don't know why.

I have everything up and running and everything is great so far, no issues with the HTPC, AV Receiver, surround sound, or anything.

One thing I do need to test the TRUEHD/DTS HD Audio, haven't gotten to that yet.

Next thing I need to decide is if I want WMC or XMBC. Also ordering NetFlix for them.

Lastly, I want the HTPC to do webcam chatting. I don't know if this will work, but what I want to do is have two bluetooth microphones. One near the couch (15 ft from the TV), and one in the kitchen (25 ft from the tv). And obviously a web cam on top of the TV.
I would like it so the person can speak freely without having a headset or anything on, just speaking into the bluetooth mic in the kitchen or living room, and the person's voice on the other end can come through the surround sonud. I'm guessing there may be noise interference and feedback issues though.

Any thoughts or opinions on this? Anyone heard of people doing this before? Or anyone know any good deals on webcams/bluetooth mics?

Thanks!

You would need to select the mic you would want to use each time as i dont think most webchat programs allow more then one audio recording device. If you were to use two however, and there was a delay with one of the mic's then you would get an echo sound. It might be better to get a wireless headset.

 

[mfenn]

You would need to select the mic you would want to use each time as i dont think most webchat programs allow more then one audio recording device. If you were to use two however, and there was a delay with one of the mic's then you would get an echo sound. It might be better to get a wireless headset.

My thoughts exactly.