Opinions on my HTPC setup, the whole shebang..

[Obsoleet]

Here's the stuff I'm looking at buying. I probably won't have cable service, just antenna and a HTPC.

TV (Vizio 55")
TV stand
Antenna (already have this)
I'll be using the computer in my signature for my HTPC, running a long HDMI cable to my couch so I can use USB kb/mouse for gaming. I'll be using a Radeon 4870 1GB so I can have audio/video sent thru the HDMI.
I'm getting either this or this for audio. Not sure yet. I like the simplicity of sticking with the vizio audio setups. But I'm open to any suggestions for any of this stuff. I know some people don't like Vizio, but I'm very pleased with the new XVT series, and the price is right.

Two questions
Is there any issue with playing a game like Left 4 Dead in 5.1 if I were to buy the surround attachment and use the Radeon audio pass through? Or will some things be stuck in 2.1 for any reason?
Also I saw on another forum that someone was looking at the Viziowith the Silicon Optics chip (plasma), and said that he needed this for his HTPC because it has "RGB". What is this? Red green blue?? He mentioned a Panasonic that didn't support it.
edit- nevermind, RGB = VGA connector. I don't need that.

I'm still going to be moving, so I want the LCD instead of plasma for the lighter weight.

thanks for the help in my decision here regarding all this stuff, and any info you might have about running a HTPC like I've described for Hulu.com, games, movies, and I'll be buying a bluray drive for my PC as well.

 

[nsafreak]

Overall it looks like a good setup. I'm not so sure how the Vizio audio setup is going to sound though. I don't have anything against the brand at all its just that I haven't heard one of those in action. I have heard a Yamaha soundbar setup similar to the Vizio and it did sound quite good. I'm pretty sure it was also more expensive but if possible you might want to try out the soundbar and see how it sounds before you purchase it. Insofar as the audio question regarding the audio pass through on the Radeon I'm not aware of any issues with it. Although if somebody is aware of an issue I'm sure they'll point it out.

 

[jimbofoxman]

Intel C2Q 9450 @ 3ghz stock vid / Asus P5Q-E / 8GB Mushkin XP2-6400 (4-4-4-12) / 8800GT / 1.4TB Seagate 7200.11 / AC Freezer 7 Pro / Corsair HX620 / Antec 900 / Logitech G3 / Access 600 KB / SteelSeries QcK+ / Dell 20" SIPS LCD / Vista64

Been looking at this HTPC stuff as well. Minus the Dell 20"......got any idea what kinda cost you have into this, rough idea? Not prying, just curioius.

 

[Obsoleet]

~$1,150 or so (today) for the base machine, without my copy of Vista, I got that for free. I put more into it than 1,150 when I built it, RAM has come down from when I bought in April '08. I replaced the motherboard and a power supply I built with it originally so all in all I personally probably have over $1,500 spent on it (the parts failed).