Shuttle xPC SK41G - Good for a HTPC?

[ndee]

Hey there,
I think a HTPC would be kinda cool, so I wouldn't have to worry about any video format, etc. BUT my question is: how good is the sound output of such a xPC from Shuttle? Anyone built a HTPC with a xPC from Shuttle?

Thanks

 

[Yomicron]

If you are going to build an Home Theater out of an X PC, you probably should purchase a decent sound card to go with it.

Get a big HD, sound card, Radeon AIW, DVD-ROM, a decent CPU and a good deal of RAM.

 

[ndee]

Originally posted by: Yomicron
If you are going to build an Home Theater out of an X PC, you probably should purchase a decent sound card to go with it.

Get a big HD, sound card, Radeon AIW, DVD-ROM, a decent CPU and a good deal of RAM.

Why a Radeon AIW? Is the TV-Out the best? I just hooked up a Toshiba Tecra 8200 Notebook and the TV-Out was quiet decent. Yeah, I was worried about the Sound card too. Hhhmmmm.

 

[Yomicron]

I recommend a Radeon AIW primarily because of the TV tuner, if you are going to build a HTPC, you might as well give it the abilty to be a PVR.

The on board sound might be fine, but at high volumes it may not sound as good.

 

[ndee]

Originally posted by: Yomicron
I recommend a Radeon AIW primarily because of the TV tuner, if you are going to build a HTPC, you might as well give it the abilty to be a PVR.

The on board sound might be fine, but at high volumes it may not sound as good.

Aha, well no. I just wanted to put this computer next to my TV and hook it up with the TV-Out. No need to watch TV on that little box. Do you think the standard TV-Out is ok?

 

[chizow]

Hmm, do you plan on using an external DVD player and receiver for movies and such? Not sure exactly what you want to use the PC for, just to play divx, vcd's, and mpegs on your tv? If thats the case I don't think you'll benefit too much from a nice soundcard. Are you going to send the sound to a receiver?

I think Yomicron was recommending the AIW b/c it will save you a PCI slot if you do decide to make it into a fully functional HTPC with tivo type capabilities.

Chiz

 

[ndee]

Jup, just for divx, vcds and all other kinda movies. Cuz my DVD Player can't play SVCDs. I could hook it up to a receiver or not. I also could just use the speakers of the TV, but that kinda suck. So you would recommend to hook the HTPC up to a receiver? But my concern is the quality of the sound...

 

[Harish]

Hey,

Check out the thread "Advice/Suggestions on building my own entetainment system" It should be on the front couple of pages. I have my setup for my HTPC there. Works nicely as we have talked about sound and video quality along with other issues.

Hope this helps!

 

[ndee]

Originally posted by: Harish
Hey,

Check out the thread "Advice/Suggestions on building my own entetainment system" It should be on the front couple of pages. I have my setup for my HTPC there. Works nicely as we have talked about sound and video quality along with other issues.

Hope this helps!

cool, gonna check that out thanks