i suggest also to compile list of the requirements to get HD Audio Bitstreams....
3 HDMI options via:
a. sound cards
b. ATi 5xxx series video card
c. Clarkdale & chipset solution

in order to enjoy the hd audio. you need to have all requirements.
the source, the hd audio enabled htpc, the good home theater system.

for some ppl, htpc are troublesome as there is many thing to consider when build the system. therefore there is some ppl just get a simple blu-ray player instead of htpc.
but in this thread, is for us to enjoy the process of the htpc building.....

if budget really tight and no plan for upgrade, maybe can just consider normal pc speaker like Logitech 5.1 which is the model come with Digital Connection. sound great.
I guess majority of user now don't spent too much on purchased of blu-ray disc. there is many source we can get like .m2ts or .ts format that capable to gave us TrueHD 7.1 or DTS-HD MA, don't ask where to get as all internet user are smart enough now. ELSE we can get used or second hand blu-ray disc.


IMHO, I will suggest to start with entry level avr, a pair of bookshelf speaker with cheap cable fist. buy a center speaker if still ok.
Second, after funding then buy a floorstander for front then the old, bookshelf move for rear speaker.
Third, funding again then upgrade to get powerful sub-woofer.
Fourth, get the another pair of speaker if you want to have or complete 7.1 channel sound.
lastly, when you have extra money on next 5 or 10 years, no problem to upgrade the decent avr, right...

if the space really not allow, just get entry level avr, contact our forumer here ksp_tech . he sell onkyo 5 channel satellite speaker just RM100. hang it on top the wall. in future just buy a power sub-woofer to place at corner of room. sound great!!!

about sound card, only Asus able to provided HD Audio Bitstream if you need to. but kind of expensive.
for creative, the max can provided is up to DDL 5.1 via digital connection.
IMHO, tested 7.1 analog output still not really met my expectation. some more 4 cable+video cable.
so I still go for HDMI 1 cable settled everything...

anyway, still depend on your combination, all are close related; not just HTPC in order to meet our ultimate goal = "HD World"
unless you don't want about HD but go for only SD time... then no comment.

we're in same boat.....
currently sound card solution still expensive. asus or auzentech with lossless digital output, price still not attractive (maybe the licence from dts or dobly lab are expensive too..). I don't understand why creative still haven't come out to compete on that?

ok, obviously we have 2 options of course.....
either analog or digital. tied with your preferable or budget. you choose for it....

for video, i guess is not a difficult issue as most of IGP can handled well too.
motherboard for htpc famous choice is m-atx i believe.
processor, just get the model with enough power to handled the hd movie. overkill processor is not an ideal as power consumption, noise/heat are the consideration...
but some of user need better mainstream prc as they need to perform convert or rip the movie.
for me, i need a htpc with 24/7 on and some light gaming also... power consumption is important in this case. 400W true power are enough for me.

This post has been edited by djlah: Mar 15 2010, 10:15 PM

generally yes. u should able to get lossless audio without the sound card as the video card itself already contain of the audio chip.
you can always test it, see your denon have the dts-hd ma or truehd light is on or not.
do you have blu-ray disc? or you can test the sample hd audio here:

Original sample (100MB)
http://www.sendspace.com/file/txz7i7

Remuxed by TsMuxer (101MB)
http://www.sendspace.com/file/yx8agd

From film Wanted

so you already make up ur mind? get trueHD/DTS-HD AVR with blu-ray player or get HTPC ?
share with us the specs once you get HTPC

This post has been edited by djlah: Mar 16 2010, 11:20 AM

same situation also. we cannot get slim profile hdmi sound card but now we can get entry level ATi 5xxx that have low profile available. bingo..

already check Zotac GeForce 9300-ITX WiFi Motherboard ?
you prefer intel or amd? for mini-itx, Zotac are quite popular brand.

This post has been edited by djlah: Mar 19 2010, 02:04 PM

that's right. the card did not anything complicated job but most important is the hardware enabled to passthrough. this is most valuable of card as Asus need pay dobly/dts.
why other onboard HDMI unable to do so because of the PAP. this is what we want and always discuss HD Audio Bitstream. and we need HDMI HD AVR.
we don't want the software decode but let the AVR do the job which are better. If you're not planning to have the HD AVR then no point you have passthrough card.

ffdshow+mpc-hc just a software to enable you to read the HD video and HD Audio, other commercial software will be TMT that bundled by Asus.
Asus Slim version card are exactly same with normal Asus PCIe card. Slim just only using PCI and remove all analog feature. cheaper of course.

let's forgot about Asus, dude...... now ATI 5xxx series already can handled, PDVD also can support together. personally still prefer ffdshow+mpc-hc.

---

Added on March 22, 2010, 10:22 pmif you're fine with 5.1 and no plan to upgrade 7.1 or TrueHD/DTS-HD. no need to get external sound card.
for example onboard ATI 4xxx motherboad or NVIDIA nForce 730i / GeForce 9300 Chipset. there are able to do 5.1 already.
if you want low budget, no need to add-on card for that....

TrueHD/DTS-HD MA have both 5.1 and 7.1 standard. it's depend on the movie studio producer.

This post has been edited by djlah: Mar 22 2010, 10:22 PM

yes, you're right. just forgot about optical/coaxial.....if you're interested on TrueHD/DTS-HD MA.
you can add the ATi 5xxx series later when you have TrueHD/DTS-HD capable AVR.
what AVR are you using now?

in this case, just build your htpc with onboard coxial/optical first motherboard to connect your old denon. buy 1 coxial/optical cable. if still expensive for you then downgrade to audio jack-rca. strictly stereo only.

to save cost also, temp. using onboard video. then select your preferred htpc chasis and psu. select the right processor & ram.
hdd and odd easy to take decision. settle!

use this 1st. later add on your ATi 5xxx series card & buy new AVR and also get ready hdmi cable

u buy both 5670 and HDAV1.3 at the same time?
sell your 5670 cheap cheap to me

This post has been edited by djlah: Mar 26 2010, 02:35 PM

if your objective is to pass though and let your avr to handle, totally no improvement if connect this way....

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

like this:

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

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.

ok, let's assume you manage to get from world wide or local. what speaker you going to get?
if you plan to get lg HT964PZ-AM, I can see the duplicate here....

I guess majority of user here will still recommended you just get a htib for very tight budget and no plan for upgrade.
if you have plan to upgrade, may get the amp card (if really dirt cheap with mb) and onkyo 5 satellite speakers. in future, buy a avr to replace the amp card.

as paskal said, no output connection for sub.


-----------------------------------------------------

second question. confused on your setup. you said you're using ma785gt mobo and hd5770 gc. I don't think u gonna make any change rite...
can you confirm and share with wat the amp card you targeting? any picture or spec?

the only amp card from here that everyone can see, need to be bundled with the motherboard as the expansion slot are different. are you confirm ur motherboard can support?



This post has been edited by djlah: Apr 4 2010, 11:22 PM

why u need 2 HDMI ?