@stan01,

If you have enough time, can you compile list of software usually use in HTPC? Example, Interface=Windows MCE, Codec Pack=K-Lite.

@sKyWiR3pT3lTd

I think HTPC need to be as low power consumption as possible with enough processing power to play all kind of format. Currently, some HTPC fans are looking for HD-audio capable system although I think it still not a mainstream and will cost a lot.

With my pc spec, I can play all type of format without any hiccups but the same for most pc system. In term of power consumption, my spec is not good enough and actually cost a lot. So, now looking for cheap and good system for HTPC.

3-4 months ago, I planned to build AMD system around 785g chipset but have to hold because at the same time I heard about Intel i3. I'm so attracted to i3+H55 combo because it capable of output HD-Audio, better graphic compare to G45 and higher energy efficiency. Here is my expected spec:

Processor : Intel i3 530
Mobo : Asus P7H55D-M PRO or Gigabyte GA-H55M-U2DH
Memory : 2GB 1333 DDR3
HD : WD Green 1Tb
Audio : Integrated
Video : Integrated

I plan to set up slowly my full HT within this 2 years. Right now, I haven't experience TrueHD and even now, I still haven't try Blu-Ray. Actually, HD-Audio is not so important to me right now but because realizing that in the near future this audio format will be use as a norm like current DTS, I try to build a HTPC with HD-Audio capable.

A few months back when AMD 785g is the only cheap yet powerful HTPC solution, I have no choice but to buy Asus HDAV 1.3. AMD 758g can play hd-video smoothly but lack of HD-Audio and only output 5.1 audio so adding a souncard is better option.

For intel set up, because I can get cheap mobo as low as RM150, I think ATI HD5000 series is better option. Asus HDAV 1.3, last time I checked cost more than RM500 and ATI HD5000 more than RM300. But luckily, now Intel came out with their product line capable of bitstreaming HD-Audio and I have the patient to wait.

I try to use as few part as possible inside my HTPC and as cheap as possible without sacrificing its processing power. (Actually can get lower end DUAL CORE G6950).

I haven't bought the items yet becoz need to sell my current spec first. But here my estimated price:

Processor : Intel i3 530 --> RM 400
Mobo : Asus P7H55D-M PRO or Gigabyte GA-H55M-U2DH -->RM400
Memory : 2GB 1333 DDR3 --> RM170
HD : WD Green 1Tb --> RM285
Audio : Integrated
Video : Integrated
Other part use my current spec.

So total around RM12++.

If include all part (psu+casing+dvd-rom) can reach RM16++.
*Still looking for 2nd hand part to reduce the price.

I think with this spec, I can use any HDTV for display.


BTW, to any audiophile, for HD-Audio, do I need AVR to produce the sound? Because from my reading, HD-Audio need HDMI output so unless there is speaker that accept input through HDMI, we need the AVR. Right?

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Added on March 14, 2010, 3:21 pmYup, when I read all around the net, sometimes I thought why do I need to go though all the hassle? Why not just buy a blu-ray player or ps3? But like you said, I love to enjoy the building process while try to get as cheap as possible setup.

The cheapest AVR capable of True-HD I believe already cost RM1.4k not include speaker setup. HT really an expensive hobby. Also not include the BluRay disc.

This post has been edited by qwerty79: Mar 14 2010, 06:07 PM

@stan001

Nice work!

HTPC is a cheap solution if you want have a universal Home Theatre. With HTPC, you can play VCD, DVD, Blu-Ray and can play all kind of format available on the planet. But still, decent HT setup is far more better than HTPC with the cost of money. If not, those AVR, speaker, amp and all those HT equipment maker will gulung tikar.

For me, HTPC is one part of the HT. Instead of buying multiple player (DVD, Blu-ray etc), we can have all-in-one player. The most important we built it ourselves part by part!

Currently, I have bought all the part I mention in 1st page. Now in the process of installing.

BTW, anyone here now any free software for remote key mapping? I bought a cheap remote with IR blaster and it can control navigation of MCE quite well. Some button need to be change like fast forward/backward.

Just finish configure Shark007 Windows 7 codec + its x64 components on my freshly installed Windows 7 x64.

Actually, I don't know what is the problem with my current setup because the same codec I installed in my Acer 4740 (i5 430m laptop), it work just fine without any configuration. However, with my i3 530 system, WMP failed to play the video. It just show green screen with sound at the background. So after playing with a few setting, this is the best setting I have. I don't know if it use hardware acceleration or not but my cpu utilization barely reach 20%.



At first, I just try to enable "Use FFDshow DXVA codec" and it play wonderfully with very low cpu utilization (hardly reach 10%) but if subtitle is enable, the picture behind the subtitle will be jagged.

BTW, if compare to my old e8400 system, current system is much colder than before. The CPU temp is only 35C for current if compare to 50C for e8400. Plus, it only running using stock HSF.

This post has been edited by qwerty79: Mar 19 2010, 01:23 AM

Intel DG41MJ is using intel G41 chipset, the same chipset use in current intel lower-end mobo. It utilize Intel GMA X4500. This intergrated graphic accelerator doesn' support HD video so most HD video will be process by the processor, not X4500. I own one before (G41M-ES2L).

If you plan to play HD video (h264,1080p files) and planning to use the integrated graphic, then go for DG45FC but the price much more expensive than H55 chipset mobo which is more superior (sadly, hard to find mini-itx version).

What your budget?

Mini-itx will cost a lots more than micro-atx.

AMD is good choice if you want build cheap htpc specially with it 785G chipset. If you couple with AMD Athlon II X2 250, it already capable of playing 1080p movies. Processor you can find around RM200 or below but for mobo RM3++.

Most probably you will not using hd bit streaming and you may forget about it. It need AVR to decode it, and an AVR cost almost the same as HTPC and usually higher.

Like above suggestion, AMD Athlon II X2 250 is good enough or you can get Phenom II x2 550 and unlock it core to get quad.

Like you, I planned to build cheap HTPC months ago and I stumbled on the unlocking idea from some forums. I still don't have any experience on the unlcoking part so don't know about the stability or the success rate, but as far as I know, with a good chipset like 785g, you can unlock several processor like AMD 140 and 550BE. Please google "Phenom 550 unlocking" and you'll find lots of articles.

So many. Why not build a NAS?

Currently I'm using i3+h55 but still haven't test the HD audio because no avr to test. For 1080p video, it can play the video smoothly with my cpu utilization barely reach 20%.

Of course not using i3+h33 as a NAS. It will be over powered. Atom is a good option but sadly most atom board only have 2 sata port.

785G come with Integrated Graphic Processor optimized for HD video. However, it is unable to pass uncompressed multi-channel (8 channel) LPCM audio over hdmi and also can't pass TrueHD or DTS-HD audio over its HDMI output, either. So, if 5.1 audio channel is enough for you, I believe this is a good AMD mobo chipset.

You also include an AVR in your masterplan so I assume you want to take advantage most of Blu-ray technologies. In that case, either you buy cheap mobo and buy ATI 5000 series or go all the way to i3+h55/h57. Both combo can provide you with good support for HD video and also HD audio bitstreaming.

AFAIK, coax and optical can't carry the high def audio on plain dts and dolby digital.

This I quote from AVForums.com
"Due to bandwidth issue, both can only support stereo pcm. Normal DD/DTS is fine over optical/coax but the HD audio tracks such as uncompressed 5.1 pcm/dolby TrueHD can only be carried over HDMI or (5.1/6.1) analogue output. "

Asus have one model Asus HDAV 1.3 which cost around RM500. But this card, if I'm not mistaken also can't decode HD audio instead like Ati 5000 series and i3+H55, it just passes the signals through to your A/V receiver.

I'm sorry that I give you wrong explanation before. I mean 5.1 is via audio analogue connection not through hdmi cable. 785g only support 2-channel LPCM.

For HD audio details, better you ask in Audiophile because lots of sifu there.

I'm not certain. May be I got confuse with the slim version.

So, Asus HDAV 1.3 doesn't do hardware decode of HD audio?

That's why I said Asus HDAV 1.3 doesn't decode the HD audio instead it passthrough the audio and let the AVR do the decoding.

Yup, I'm not those audio-ware poeple because my pocket is not big enough .

If you are not into game, i3+h55 is enough. No need to buy ATI 5xxx.

Please refer to previous page. You can use software decode to get output from your pc speaker.

Any video/audio improvement if connect like that ?

I think, HDAV 1.3 most suitable for built in graphic because it also can enhance video and combine video and audio into one single hdmi cable. But if a graphic card already capable of combining both and support hd audio bitstreaming, so it will be redundant.

I also bought that remote and it works pretty well with Win 7 MCE. The most important part is the receiver because currently I use my universal remote to learn some of the usually command button and it works! But still need to find a good and free software to map for other command button in normal environment (not in MCE).