Hi guys, I want to setup a HTPC. Appreciate if you can advise and correct me if I'm wrong.

Currently I have:
(1) Full HD LED TV with HDMI input
(2) Zotac Zbox nano AD10 with HDMI output

I'd like to get at least a 5.1 sound setup. I understand that I need to get a decoder or home theater system with HDMI input for audio/video and outputs HDMI video to my TV.

I've seen many home theater system on the market only with hdmi output so I guess that is out of question.

Some more expensive models have both hdmi in and out. They come with 5.1 speaker set. I wonder these are the models I should be looking for? Do they have the ability to decode 5.1 sound from my Zotac HDMI out to the respective speakers?

Please recommend a system with at least 5.1 speaker set if possible. Prefer budget models. Thank you.

Media player like Himedia:

Pro :
Cheaper say <RM400
Lots of android apps
Small Size

Con :
Cannot play PC software
Less powerful

PC
Pro :
More powerful, can upgrade hardware
Can play lots of stuff, lots of PC software there.
Can use for work as well?

Con:
Relatively bulky
Cannot play android
Price.

Hi guys.

I built my HTPC back in 2010. Recently, I added a SSD to my setup and reformatted and reinstalled everything.
I think I messed up my graphichs card. It's a Sapphire HD 5670.
Now it's giving me intermittent sound when playing DTS or Dolby Digital files or Bluray Discs through Power DVD.
2 channel audio has no problems.

I've spent hours on hours trying to see what's available in 2014.
I've lost touch with the new technology out there.

My current HTPC is:

Intel Core2Duo E8400
Asus P5G43t M-Pro
1333 4Gb Ram
LiteON Bluray Combo Drive
60Gb SSD
2Tb HDD.

My intentions is to bitstream DTS HD MA and Dolby TrueHD via HDMI to my Denon amplifier.
I'm reading all new intel processors have this capabilty.
I don't want to change the processor, cos then I would have to change mobo, RAM etc.
So, the cheapest option I think for me is to replace my Graphics card.

What card will give me DTS HD MA and Dolby TrueHD pass through.
I read any card since the 5xxx series or GT430 series will do. These cards are pretty old.
What's a newish card I should use?
Don't use it for gaming, purely for Home Cinema.
Btw, i need a small size card to fit in a micro ATX case....it's an ANTEC Fusion Black.

If you guys have a better solution, please let me know.

Thanks in advance.

I would like a media player. So far my choices are either to setup a HTPC or get a media player like HiMedia.

I would like to know in term of cost, how high would a proper HTPC be? And what kind of hardware is needed. I am used to building PC for myself, but I not sure exactly what is needed for a HTPC

Any advice is appreciated to get me started. Thx