cable management relies on how you arrange the cables.
yes it'll fit an ATX mainboard without being too cramped.
that xingmatek is using 12cm fans. which could possible block the cover. the lc17 have enough space to clear a normal atx psu. maybe it'll clear the xingmatek. or even if it doesn't clear it, its only by a small margin.

Ok last question, where did you buy yours from? I checked Garage Sales and there's only like 1 seller in KL. I checked lowyat pricelist as well and only one shop is selling them, not sure if they have stock.

Viewnet

used this guide...finally got bitstreaming working..
http://sunmaiblog.wordpress.com/2010/09/24...aming-hd-audio/

I list all my products and brands, just get an updated pricelist and do your own maths, PC component prices changes every 2-3 months..

You adjust the price and brands, if you put 1TB HDD, then prices goes up, if you use 2GB DDR3 instead of 4GB, then price goes down...

i've pretty much decided on the budget Dell Zino HD (not ideal wish list) with

AMD Athlon II P340 & ATI Radeon HD 4250

i just need someone to help me confirm if this Net top/HTPC can in fact bitstream HD Audio (DTS-MA & Dolby THD) to my AVR. on dell's website, it says "Integrated 2.1 Hi-def analog audio and options up to THX 7.1 digital audio" i hv no idea what this means, especially 'options'

Zino for me the cheapest option for a HTPC cum PC for net surfing & movie downloading + its got option for 12-months Zero-Interest plan

i'm currently using AC Ryan POHD but its unable to bitstream HD Audio (old 1073DD chipset) and very problematic when wan to play BDMV folder. most of my good movie titles are BD-Ripped. every time need to go in the stream folder and manually select largest file to play.

i'm considering a new HDX-BD1 but currently out of budget and my priority now is a new PC for downloading files...but if the Zino HD can do what i need then might KIV the BD1 till further notice

with the Zino HD, what video software is used to watch BDMV titles? is it a no brainer process? like as simple as connecting the Zino HD to an AVR and it'll be able to play HD titles with HD Audio? or does it require me to go for PhD first?

i think the unit comes with preinstalled Power DVD softwares (trials & OEM)

thanks for reading up! appreciate any feedback!

4 series radeon can't do bitstreaming, only multichannel lpcm.

why not check out the newer realtek r055 chipset players? only RM200 a piece. they could do bitstream. plays nearly everything under the sun and you can't mess the codec, works out of the box.

Hi,
What about ASrock mini pc?
http://www.asrock.com/nettop/overview.asp?Model=ION%20330HT

the 330HT is quoted at RM1099 from a local reseller... Between the lowest spec of Zino which runs on AMD Athlon™ II P340 Dual-Core Processor, this 330HT runs on Dual Core Atom, which one is more a value buy?

my main priority is to buy a new PC...plus the rtd 1055 can't do BD-menu (i think)

its a real value for money player but....


thanks for advise...i did consider asrock, and although the quoted price was lower (330HT at RM870) it is a bare bone unit, meaning without HDD, RAM & OS. add those in, its become more expensive than Zino..

[ADDED] btw, i check cpu benchmark for both Atom 330 2 Core & Athlon II P340 and it seem the AMD wins over Atom in terms of CPU Passmark (not that i know what that means really) so is the AMD better than Atom??

if i have a wee bit more budget, i wanna get the asrock core 100...solve all problem.

will go back to the budget book see if i can stretch it little bit more...

This post has been edited by daryl.k: Jan 13 2011, 05:58 PM

Anyone has tried the so-called audiophile Asus Xonar Essence STX for stereo listening?

well it's expected. the atom is never intended for speed. it's designed for netbook and for low power.
know which is your priority.

ya...A.Core HT100 using i3 looks good.. have you got any quote before for the i3 based asrock together with RAM, HDD, etc.?

I've not got an official quote but price of the core 100ht is in lowyat and i just found out the price doesnt even include the processor!!which mean its even more expensive!!

Prices for HDD, RAM, processor can check at lowyat pricelist..so can roughly hv an idea how much de total cost gonna be..

After much considerations, i think i'll go wit the Zino..

and get the HDX-BD1 later..

hi all, need ur advice, i m thinking of getting a notebook as htpc replacement + some mild gameplaying. i m eyeing on a decent nb, the proc is capable of doing intensive motion interpolation (i like 60fps), the discrete gpu could bitstream hd audio as well, got gigabit lan for media streaming, bluetooth for keypad control, anything else is lacking? thks

wah, nowadays there is many model of nb available meet your requirements above. share with us which few models you already eyeing... let's compare and see...

it's Acer @ 2.8K

spec:

ic, make sure the manufacturer provided Forceware 260.xx or newer, else HD bitstream not gonna be happen.
How about HP or Dell ??

noted
hp / dell dun hv sandy yet but i think shud hv wait

This post has been edited by sotong168: Jan 17 2011, 12:52 PM

hi all htpc honor owners, just wondering why most of u had chose to set up htpc pc system over notebook? any complication about nb? thks!

what is the size of notebook will you get? typically notebook only can fit 1 hdd, 17" or above have second hdd option.
I guess most of htpc owner main concern are storage. of course HD playback capable is a MUST. if can spend more, NAS are best ideal.
but NAS pricing quite stable I meant rarely drop crazily.. else, economy way will be always plug and pull the usb ext drive.