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 HTPC V2, Home Theater PC Setup, HOWTO and Guides

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kopking10
post Apr 29 2010, 08:56 AM

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From: Kay Ell


Guys, i am planning to build a htpc, would you guys look at my list.

Video:
32" LCD HDTV

Audio:
Maybe Pioneer Home Theater System (Is it possible to connect the wires to HTPC??? )

HTPC:
Processor = AMD Athlon II X2 250 3.0Ghz
Mobo = Gigabye A785GMT (Integrated HDMI)
Ram = Corsair DDR3 Ram 2GbB
HDD = 1TB Western Digital
DVD-Rom

Casing = ?? Please advise and where to get
S/card = ?? Do i need one
Graphic Card = ?? Do i need one since the Mobo already have.

I hope to connect the audio to those HOME THEATER from pioneer my existing. Is it possible with my setup?

THanks for all the help!
kopking10
post Apr 29 2010, 03:13 PM

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From: Kay Ell


QUOTE(netherlord @ Apr 29 2010, 01:25 PM)
1. Whats your pioneer HT model, need to know what inputs you have to pass audio to it.

2. From the spec of the HTPC i can say the specs is enough to handle most HD content but iam not sure about BDMV and BD iso as those are more CPU intensive rather than GPU.

3. For casings i think you have to either browse from the net or go to low yat plaza yourself cause aesthetics is really a personal thing. What i like maybe not up to your taste.

4. For soundcard i think your spec already are capable for passing 5.1 DD/DTS to a receiver thru HDMI/SPDIF but if you want to pass 7.1 lossless DTS-MA/DD TrueHD thru HDMI i think you need something like a Asus Sonar HDA 1.3 ( http://www.dvhardware.net/article27745.html ) which is around RM700 ( Needs TMT Player to passthru thou ).

5. If you want better performance from your HTPC, of course another better Graphic Card will help, plus if you get the higher range of card like ATI 58XX series you can skip using the Sound card as it is capable of doing a 5.1 or 7.1 passthru (but the cheapest one i could find atm is around RM900) or take a look at this http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1179134 which explain alot on how to pass audio thru ATI 5XXX series card.

Hope my explanation is good enough  icon_idea.gif
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1. Havent really look into the models yet. What inputs should i look for?

2. In order to run BDMV and BD iso, what are the minimum CPU spec that u recommend?

3. I cant agree more.

4. For sound, im glad to maintain 5.1 at the moment.

5. Ill stay with the integrated graphic with the mobo then.

With much said, i really appreciate your answers, Netherlord. However, I am still open for more suggestions. THANK YOU!


kopking10
post May 2 2010, 07:57 AM

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From: Kay Ell


QUOTE(netherlord @ Apr 29 2010, 10:56 PM)
1. Havent really look into the models yet. What inputs should i look for?
ANS: Well depends whether you have an existing old Pioneer which accepts SPDIF / Coaxial connection or you planning to buy a new one with HDMI, all supports 5.1

2. In order to run BDMV and BD iso, what are the minimum CPU spec that u recommend?
Ans: Like what Bart-man suggested, a Core 2 Duo or Athlon II X2 should be sufficient but try and get i3 to future-proof your mb should you plan to later on upgrade to a better proc.

3. I cant agree more.
ANS: There are many nice cases for HTPC design but most of them are quite costly unless you go for those normal ATX. Price ranges from RM300 - RM700 for those really nice ones like Silverstone and Coolermaster

4. For sound, im glad to maintain 5.1 at the moment.
ANS: Then your MB SPDIF and HDMI should be sufficient to output DD / DTS to your chosen HT AVR

5. Ill stay with the integrated graphic with the mobo then.
ANS: Do note you need to do some tweaking to the On-Board ATI GPU in order to fully utilise it for HD playback, take note on the model and driver, and also get the latest codec to ensure smooth playback.

If you provide what the on-board GPU is i might be able to scrounge up some guide in how to set it up for HD playback.  biggrin.gif

All the best to your HTPC build  rclxms.gif
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thanks netherlord and many others, went Lowyat yest. got quoted for i3 and still within budget but the catch is the Audio. Sales guy from Desa HT Kepong on Ground floor recommended me to use YAMAHA AVR - rx-v365 combo with ns-p280 satelite w/ sub. With a budget of 1.5k for a decent sound system? Shoould i try luck on 2nd hand or any recommendation?
kopking10
post May 4 2010, 08:50 AM

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From: Kay Ell


Why not go a step up and get Yamaha RX-V465 or similiar range product? (Pioneer VSX-819 or Onkyo SR507) cause they support 5.1 and also DTS/MA and DD TrueHD. Having those might be able to help you save on upgrades later (AVR are very costly to upgrade).

On the speakers side i think the Yamaha NS-P280 are sub standard speaker set. Its okay to use them for the moment (cash constrains maybe?) but you'll be looking for upgrades very soon. Maybe give the Onkyo SKF-330 a try? Pucca selling them for RM100 for 5 speaker set and so far no complain from the buyers.

On the subwoofer side i think you can get a pretty cheap nice one by searching the LYN forums, Mudah.my or Hifi4sale blog (will include the links later).

I think its best you go check out some other brands for comparison as there is alot of selection out there.

Pucca's Onkyo Speaker Thread --> http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=1341807&hl=

Mudah.my --> http://www.mudah.my/

Hihi4sale --> http://hifi4salesmalaysia.blogspot.com/

Hope i did not complicate things for you but i think you should really find a set that you prefer and fully satisfy with, rather than go into impulse buying and regret later. Just my 2 cents biggrin.gif
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[/quote]

thanks, really appreciate ur effort, i have also came across one of ur thread that u were setting up HT system as well. Mind telling me what AVR u chose in the end? TQVM. How much is the pioneer VSX-819, RX-V465, Onkyo SR507 or Marantz 5003 which i came across. For Marantz 5003 only cost around 1.3k i can still grab Puccas Sat speaker rm100 and still make myself within 2k budget.
kopking10
post May 5 2010, 08:43 AM

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From: Kay Ell


QUOTE(netherlord @ May 4 2010, 10:11 AM)
thanks, really appreciate ur effort, i have also came across one of ur thread that u were setting up HT system as well. Mind telling me what AVR u chose in the end? TQVM. How much is the pioneer VSX-819, RX-V465, Onkyo SR507 or Marantz 5003 which i came across. For Marantz 5003 only cost around 1.3k i can still grab Puccas Sat speaker rm100 and still make myself within 2k budget.
I'm using Pioneer VSX-919AH-K with Onkyo SKF-330 and Infinity Servo SSW-10 Subwoffer. All in all cost me RM2250 (RM1800 for AVR, RM100 for Speaker, RM350 for Sub)
All are 2nd hand except the speaker (might get another set to make it 7.1). Always remember to test 2nd hand units or ask for 5-7 days of personal warranty if the original warranty is over for testing period.

Last i asked, Yamaha RX-V465 was RM1.5K in Legend Jalan Klang Lama, i guess you should allocate RM1.5K to 1.8K for all the choices mention above. Yamaha, Pioneer, Onkyo are the more popular brands while Denon and Marantz are available at more specialized shops (Popular as in shop carrying them). Try to look around Harvey Norman to get an idea on how much those are, but they usually come bundle with speaker set so you have to dig abit deeper for the AVR price.

I been to Desa HT in Kepong and got quoted RM1.8K for Onkyo SR507 with an Onkyo Subwoofer (forgot the model).

To whichever model you chosen, i hope that your fully satisfied with your purchase. Never regret and make the best of what you got  biggrin.gif .

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Couldnt agree more, studied on some of the models. And yeah Pioneer 919AHK has 7.1 ch as well as Marantz SR5003 that narrows down compared to Yamaha RX-V465...thing is price is little steep for new models and will be looking for a 2nd for those who are upgrading. Speakers wise Pucca's speaker is one of the target and sub i think i cant go wrong with KEF.


QUOTE(paskal @ May 4 2010, 10:26 AM)
Marantz SR5003 at RM1.3k is a good buy. i though it's at RM1.8k like pioneer vsx-919
RM1.3k with DTS-HDMA/TrueHD decoding and 7.1 preout is  thumbup.gif
RX-V465 if you like yamaha sound signature.
Pioneer VXS-819 if you like pioneer sound signature.
Denon 1610 if you like denon sound signature.
Marantz SR5003 if you like marantz sound signature.
and then there's also onkyo and harman kardon. smile.gif

they all sound different from each other.
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Marantz for RM1.3k is used and has already been sold!!! too late...anyways i am planning for August. THanks for all the comment s and opiionion will get back for an update!

kopking10
post Dec 15 2010, 03:55 PM

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From: Kay Ell


Guys, I am noob at HTPC. Hence, pls give a slight recommendation for RM1500 budget on PC setup. I will pair with 40" LED Tv and 5.1 speakers

I play:
1) Movie - MKV 720/1080
2) Games - No a fanatic but home the setup are able to support

Pls recommend me the spec. TQ.

This post has been edited by kopking10: Dec 15 2010, 03:57 PM
kopking10
post Dec 16 2010, 08:59 AM

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From: Kay Ell


QUOTE(minimize @ Dec 15 2010, 08:05 PM)
Get Dell Zino.  smile.gif
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yes went n have a look at it last nite...easier package. thanks for those who has helped. I have gotten the spec i required.

Btw, i have a set of 5.1 home theater speaker NOT pc 5.1. May i know how to connect to PC since they are running the black n red cables?

 

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