Nice, if it has eSATA connection then I will go for it...

IMHO, KL series is tower case... I wouldn't want that for my HTPC. I will always go for the sleekness of LC series and it's in desktop form.

I'm still trying to look for this

[URL= http://global.aopen.com/products_detail.aspx?Auno=2926]Link to the Official Website[/URL]

I looking for this HTPC casing, it look great... But I can't find it in Malaysia....

thank TS for the great information....

very nice HTPC. most of HTPC are desktop.
will you guys like also tower as HTPC?

like this:

Ya it's a great casing. I've attached a picture showing how the 5 HDDs are fit in. I still have space for 2 more HDDs.


Kianwee is a genius mind reader. My thoughts exactly.

Yonggoh: The LCM20B-M may be over kill to you, but I wouldn't want to see a tower case in my setup. Also I need something that looks good enough to sit next to my Pioneer AVR.




This post has been edited by shuto1: Mar 30 2010, 09:19 PM

helo all htpc sifu.need some guidance here.pls help.i'm building htpc/gaming rig.i'm using ma785gt mobo and hd5770 gc.i'm gonna connect the hdmi from the mobo to an lg42pq30 while the gc hdmi to my lcd monitor.i'm confused right now on how to set up the speaker.i notice there's an output behind the mobo.can ijust plug the satellite speaker directly to the speaker output or i need to buy amplifier card?
mobo>rca>speaker or mobo>rca>avr>speaker?
thanks in advance.

This tower casing is great but for me it still look like PC. Not HTPC.

that is one sexy case!
never knew an ATX case could be no bigger than an AVR.
all ATX system that i've ever came across are big big tower that looks awfully too big next to the tv

Taukeh, how much is the case? Where did you get it?
I could be building another htpc sometime next month.

Thinking of building one too with my newly acquired and unopened icy dock. How muchie for the budget? shuto1's HTPC looks good. Sleek would be good.

mobo <HDMI> AVR <HDMI> LCD TV

what is the speakers & AVR you're using now?

This post has been edited by djlah: Mar 31 2010, 08:31 AM

The HTPC case design goes opposite to the geek's CPU ideal design. HTPC tends to be low key, where simplicity is the luxury, unlike the gamer CPU that comes with LED lights, fans, overall intimidating look.

The best analogy is the design of minicompo with 1000Watt wording splashed across the speakers, and an audiophile Hifi that comes with only 2 huge dials, with only one LED light to indicate that its 'on'. Its quite a different set of ball game.

Furthermore, just like in a cinema, any light that blinks below the screen is a distraction, so is the fan noise. Thats why HTPC is so low key in design.

Btw, the distraction can be a pain. My htpc blu ray drive blinks when I ran it. Still thinking of using a black tape to cover it.

for htpc users, what method you use to back-up your media files?

i was thinking to use freenas on an old P3? any views on this.

hey bro! where did u get the icy dock and how much?

which model?

i need storage solutions also!

thanks for the info djlah.i haven't bought the speaker yet.i thought of eliminating the avr n go direct from
mobo to speaker.is it possible?if i were force to buy avr,i will opted for lg htib for example HT964PZ-AM.
i'm kind of on tight budget.don't want to spent to much on av system but i like to watch movie a lot.

it's impossible to connect speaker direct to mobo because no amp to power it. unless you buy computer pc speakers.
if you're in tight budget, no need to buy a avr. go as you opted, get a HTiB system.

If you are going for HTiB, and you want to hook your PC or HTPC to it, then make sure the HTiB has the input for it. For an example, not all GPU can push audio through HDMI, and if you are using such GPU, then you will need another audio input on the receiver.

thanks for the advice guys.well,i've already check the lg HT964PZ-AM.
at the back of the receiver,there's 3 hdmi.1 is input,1 output and another 1 is just hdmi.(i refer at the website).
djlah,i saw in utube where this guy from amd teach u how to built htpc.
i saw him installing a amplifier card to the mobo.i try looking for it at garage
sale but nobody carried it.that's mean it possible right?i just need to find that
amplifier card right?thanks in advance guys.really appreciate it.

I maybe been living in a cave for too long, I have never heard of a PCI amplifier card before...pardon me. However, I do know that there are active speakers (with build-in amp) on the market, half the size of most of the floorstander. You can connect it straight to your sound card. It's just like an oversized PC speakers. My dad is using it in his bedroom, and it sounds good too. I mean if you compare with normal PC speakers.