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 HTPC V2, Home Theater PC Setup, HOWTO and Guides

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sKyWiR3pT3lTd
post Mar 13 2010, 08:12 PM

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QUOTE(qwerty79 @ Mar 13 2010, 06:32 PM)
@stan01,

If you have enough time, can you compile list of software usually use in HTPC? Example, Interface=Windows MCE, Codec Pack=K-Lite.
*
Bro, i think your rig is quite sufficient as an example. You can list down your too.. brows.gif

Mine

Acer H233H FULL HD
Gigabyte GeForce 210 512MB w HDMI
WD 160GB
Monster1000HD
MS Wireless 5000 Set
Cooler Master PSU
Cooler Master Tower Casing
Realtek HD Audio ACL888
ATP3 w SW
Windows 7 x64


I've got loads of "ahem" softwares like Cyberlink PowerDVD 9.2520 (Latest), Cyberlink BD Advisor, Corel WinDVD Pro 2010 (Latest release), CCleaner,MS Security Essentials, etc..cant remember leh..

sKyWiR3pT3lTd
post Mar 14 2010, 07:46 AM

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QUOTE(qwerty79 @ Mar 14 2010, 12:45 AM)
@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
*
You're right, but not many GC or SC has capable of HD-Audio streaming yet (DTS-HD MA, Lossless)..nice spec though..
sKyWiR3pT3lTd
post Mar 14 2010, 09:18 AM

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QUOTE
wats the difference between normal audio, n hd audi?? is there a dierence?
can u differentiate it?
(1) (High Definition audio) The latest digital surround sound formats supported by Blu-ray, such as Dolby Digital Plus, Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD (Dolby Digital and DTS). The term may occasionally refer to DVD-Audio and SACD, both of which are high-resolution audio formats that had little market penetration (DVD-Audio and SACD).

(2) (High Definition Audio) A specification from Intel for advanced audio circuits on a PC motherboard. Introduced in 2004 and superseding AC'97, HD Audio provides eight channels (7.1) of 32-bit, 192kHz audio to support Dolby Digital and DTS surround sound formats. It includes automatic jack retasking, which enables the same port to be used for a speaker or a microphone. HD Audio also enables multiple audio streams to be sent to different rooms in the house.

(3) Controller and Codec
Like AC'97, HD Audio is made up of a controller connected to analog/digital codecs by a 5-wire TDM interface called "HD Audio Link." The two subsystems separate the digital controller, which is built into the PC chipset, from the analog circuits, which can be in a chip on the motherboard, a riser card or cabled close to the I/O connectors. For international certification (homologation), modem codecs are often placed on riser cards, which can be easily interchanged. See AC'97 and riser card.

Sourc : PC Mag

This post has been edited by sKyWiR3pT3lTd: Mar 14 2010, 09:19 AM
sKyWiR3pT3lTd
post Mar 14 2010, 04:04 PM

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I think AVR is just absolute unnecessary , desktop 5.1 speakers good enough plugged into SC..
sKyWiR3pT3lTd
post Mar 15 2010, 03:18 PM

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QUOTE(paskal @ Mar 15 2010, 09:45 AM)
desktop 5.1 can't tune the time alignment, LFE attenuation, room equalization, channel calibration.
desktop 5.1 can't tune a lot of things like an avr could, which makes the surround experience much more surreal.
*
Of course AVR can do wonders, we are talking about HTPC , not Home Theater for your living room bro.. icon_idea.gif
sKyWiR3pT3lTd
post Mar 15 2010, 07:59 PM

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QUOTE(paskal @ Mar 15 2010, 07:57 PM)
latest AVR that can decode DTS-HDMA & true-HD could be had for around RM1.5k
pair it with a cheap graphics card (ATI 5670, RM300) that could bitstream HD-audio, you're off with a good combo costing under RM2k
*
Already the HTPC cost us approx 1XXX , now additional 1.5k for DTS-HD MA?. I like peter32's suggestion, get an AVR old ones with no DTS, Dolby should fit the bill..

Not everyone has the sort of cash to spend bro..but obviously im not against your idea, its far cheaper than HOME THEATER SETUP.. notworthy.gif thumbup.gif
sKyWiR3pT3lTd
post Mar 15 2010, 08:50 PM

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QUOTE(peter32 @ Mar 15 2010, 08:46 PM)
I agree.   Nowadays for a decent price we can get a good featured AVR.

But with RM1.5K, u can get a used THX rated good powered AVR with old specs !  That alone is future proof.  You can upgrade speakers without thinking of underpowered AVR in future.
*
I'll probably gonna get that AVR with THX one for my HTPC.

Gonna give it a go and see if any good..

Thanks for the ideas.. thumbup.gif

This post has been edited by sKyWiR3pT3lTd: Mar 15 2010, 08:50 PM
sKyWiR3pT3lTd
post Mar 15 2010, 10:00 PM

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QUOTE(peter32 @ Mar 15 2010, 08:57 PM)
Wait...

Before u do, remember its not easy to get an audio card that can decode lossless HD audio into analogue and provide a pre-out from the sound card.

But you can easily find any sound card that has digital output, which u can hook it into an AVR.  But that way you will lost the HD lossless feature.

So although my plan is economic, its hard to get a soundcard that does the movie decoding for the time being.  I am still waiting for that to come to our shore....
*
I know..its just my plan..im gonna wait for one too..
sKyWiR3pT3lTd
post Mar 16 2010, 11:55 AM

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QUOTE(rlyp @ Mar 16 2010, 07:50 AM)
yea, like my FAT ps3 cant do bitstream (unlike slim ps3) but i still can enjoy lossless audio if i got a HDMI HD AVR.

PS3 - optical cable - AVR
*
Good day lads,

What AVR youre hooked up your PS3 with Optical? What optical cable you use?
sKyWiR3pT3lTd
post Mar 16 2010, 06:22 PM

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Anyone could suggest , i'm planning to upgrade my GPU from Geforce 210 to GTX275, GTX285, GTX295.

Also, any Speaker system that you guys would like to suggest. Im currently on Altec Lansing ATP3 2.1.

Thanks in advance..
sKyWiR3pT3lTd
post Mar 17 2010, 01:03 PM

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Anyone heard about Lenovo HTPC ? Please look at the specs. USD499

"Lenovo has introduced a new HTPC, the IdeaCentre Q700. The system is comfortably nestled between the size and specifications of a nettop and full-blown HTPC. It should fit in perfectly with your other home theater equipment, and its hardware ought to chew through basic HTPC-oriented tasks.

The IdeaCentre Q700 is equipped with an Intel Pentium E5200 2.5GHz CPU and X4500 integrated graphics, 4GB of RAM, and the choice between a 320GB, 500GB or 640GB HDD. Although it's not available with a Blu-ray drive at the moment, it does come with a DVD burner.


It also houses an HDMI and VGA-out, TV tuner, eight USB 2.0 ports (split between front and back), Firewire, an eSATA connector, a 4-in-1 card reader, 5.1 surround sound outputs, gigabit Ethernet and Wi-Fi connectivity. Models are available with a remote and USB receiver dongle, and all ship with Vista Home Premium 64-bit installed.

Granted, you won't be playing high-end games on max with smooth frame rates but the Q700 crams a lot into its 2.36" x 7.87" x 9.84" box. The offer only looks better when you consider its $499 asking price"
sKyWiR3pT3lTd
post Mar 17 2010, 06:11 PM

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QUOTE(minimize @ Mar 17 2010, 05:21 PM)
GTX295 for HTPC? Wahh.. I though is for hardcore gaming.  biggrin.gif
I'm not sure about Nvidia. But ATI 5xxx series can bitstream HD audio. Maybe u should consider it.
*
GTX275, the least i want to go for, plus its HDMI output , so no coversion required from dvi to hdmi..
sKyWiR3pT3lTd
post Mar 17 2010, 11:31 PM

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QUOTE(paskal @ Mar 17 2010, 06:15 PM)
no idea whether this fits your bill, but maybe you could give EventGhost a try. it supports a multitude of IR receivers
$499 X 3.4 = around RM1.7k
for that price, you could get much much better spec
*
I know rm1.7k we could quote better spec. What im trying to say here is , DIY HTPC is far better and satisfying then getting a branded HTPC.

Acer too, offering such HTPC at higher cost , seen last was RM6999, which absolutely commercial branding price..

Better still DIY prices.. whistling.gif
sKyWiR3pT3lTd
post Mar 18 2010, 01:20 AM

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Stan001, hope you dont mind im sharing the information for those users watching Blu-ray on HTPC

CyberLink Corp. today released CyberLink PowerDVD 10. Enabling Full HD and 3D Blu-ray playback, CyberLink PowerDVD 10 features TrueTheater 3D technology, upgrading the movie experience with 3D movie playback for DVD discs and video files. Meanwhile, the improved version of TrueTheater HD, optimized for the latest CPU/GPU acceleration technologies, enables the upscaling of both DVD movies and video files to HD. A "Mark II" update is scheduled for release this summer which will add Blu-ray 3D playback and 2D-to-3D video file conversion to their software.

With the initial release of PowerDVD 10, consumers will enjoy Blu-ray movies, plus the new features of CyberLink's advanced suite of TrueTheater technologies: TrueTheater 3D, TrueTheater HD, TrueTheater Noise Reduction, and TrueTheater Stabilizer.

Referring to PowerDVD 10 as a major milestone for CyberLink, Alice H. Chang, CyberLink CEO declared: "We're not just talking about an incremental shift in quality; PowerDVD 10 represents a new era of media entertainment, offering the best 3D and HD experience you can enjoy on the PC."

"We've upgraded playback quality for video files and music too, turning PowerDVD 10 into a unique universal player that enhances the visual and auditory experience for all kinds of media," said Alice H. Chang.

In addition to new playback features, PowerDVD 10 enables new online experiences, with more features for sharing movie reviews and live comments to social networks on Facebook, Twitter and MoovieLive.com.

CyberLink PowerDVD 10 offers the following features:

Blu-ray Movies in 3D:

* Blu-ray 3D, including comprehensive support for various 3D playback hardware, ensures exceptional playback quality for the soon-to-be-released Blu-ray 3D format. (A free "Mark II" upgrade will be made available to existing PowerDVD 10 Ultra users to enable Blu-ray 3D features.)
* Improved optimization for Intel Core Family Processors, NVIDIA CUDA and ATI Stream, delivers smooth playback for high-definition content by leveraging the power of the latest hardware acceleration technology.
* Lossless HD audio, including support for HDMI 1.3a, offers pure 8-channel Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD audio via a single cable.
* Fast Blu-ray loading enables consumers to access their Blu-ray movies on the PC up to four times faster.
* DVDs in 3D and HD
* Advanced Cyberlink TrueTheater 3D technology lets consumers transform their existing 2D DVD content into a 3D experience.
* HD upscaling for DVDs, using CyberLink TrueTheater HD technology, sharpens the image quality of standard definition content for playback on high-definition TVs and monitors.
* Enhanced Videos and Music
* Quality-enhancing TrueTheater Technology for videos improves the playback experience for video files, including real-time correction of home movies using TrueTheater Stabilizer and TrueTheater Noise Reduction. PowerDVD also includes TrueTheater HD, TrueTheater Motion, and TrueTheater Lighting for upscaling and enhancing video files too.
* TrueTheater Surround for music allows PowerDVD users to customize their playback experience according to their home theater hardware and personal taste, with a range of settings for optimizing audio playback.
* Extensive file format support enables playback of even more movie types, including QT, MOV, RM, RMVB, FLV, MKV, and 3GPP, and support for subtitle formats including smi, ass, ssa, psb, srt and sub.
* Refreshed universal player interface integrates access to movies, videos and music files, without compromising the traditional simplicity of the PowerDVD interface design.
* Playlist features allow consumers to easily create video and music playlists of their favorite media.

Movie Reviews and Live Comments

* MovieMarks offer a brand new way for PowerDVD users to bookmark, write and share movie reviews, by adding comments and descriptions to bookmarks of key movie scenes.
* Sharing MovieMarks on MoovieLive.com is a new feature allowing reviewers to upload their reviews to PowerDVD's online community MoovieLive.com. MovieMarks can be downloaded and shared.
* Short Comments allow users to post live updates to Facebook, Twitter and MoovieLive.com as they are watching their movie.
* PowerDVD Movie Page provides direct access to the latest content on MoovieLive.com, with links to recent movie reviews, trailers, and product tutorials, more in-depth movie information, and the ability to post live comments to Twitter and Facebook.

Support for Windows 7:

* Touch support allows users to navigate features by touch, including their Movie Collection via PowerDVD's FancyView interface.
* Ambient Light support offers compatibility with hardware featuring the power-saving feature of the latest notebooks.
* Support for Windows 7 music library features enables easy creation of music playlists and track management directly from within PowerDVD 10.

Product Availability

Cyberlink PowerDVD 10 is now available online, supporting the following languages: English, French, German, Italian, Spanish, Chinese (Simplified and Traditional), Japanese, and Korean. Boxed versions will be available soon in retail stores worldwide. CyberLink also offers OEM versions to PC and peripheral manufacturing customers.

* CyberLink PowerDVD 10 Ultra 3D: $99.95
* CyberLink PowerDVD 10 Deluxe: $69.95
* CyberLink PowerDVD 10 (Standard): $49.95

Upgrade versions for previous PowerDVD versions are available starting at $29.95.

Note: Consumers who have purchased PowerDVD 10 Ultra 3D can upgrade their software for free to enable Blu-ray 3D playback and 3D video file playback. Available this summer.

This post has been edited by sKyWiR3pT3lTd: Mar 18 2010, 01:21 AM
sKyWiR3pT3lTd
post Mar 18 2010, 09:41 AM

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QUOTE(paskal @ Mar 18 2010, 05:33 AM)
but still there's no support for HD audio bitstream.
a waste of money IMHO to buy a HDMI enable card, and still have to buy another card that supports HD audio streams in the future (when there is solutions to buy just one card)
*
At least to utilize the Picture quality for movie playback. Sound doesnt matter at the moment.. brows.gif whistling.gif
sKyWiR3pT3lTd
post Mar 18 2010, 02:04 PM

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QUOTE(wkw7889 @ Mar 18 2010, 02:00 PM)
I'm using a Dinovo Mini.
It's great.
*
How much did that cost you?
Is it using a Blue tooth / Wireless to sync to your machine?
sKyWiR3pT3lTd
post Mar 18 2010, 05:39 PM

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QUOTE(paskal @ Mar 18 2010, 05:33 PM)
no offence, but that is a failed logic.
you do know there's a graphics card that support both HDMI and HD bitstreaming. why you still wanna get something that lack one over the other?
rclxub.gif You're right, its just needs a better software to decode.. whistling.gif

sKyWiR3pT3lTd
post Mar 20 2010, 07:01 AM

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QUOTE(paskal @ Mar 20 2010, 06:38 AM)
the cheapest gpu that could do hd audio bitstreaming is the ati 5450. do check if it's available now in stores. last time i check it's not yet in the market, but already released overseas.
other choices is the ati 5670 or the ati 5770. cheapest should be RM300.

but if budget is really limited, then you might as well let the cpu decode and just run the internal graphics
*
Hello mate,

Good morning.. woke up so early today eh? Going to work? Btw, IYHO , do you think ATI GPU are better than NVIDIA GPU's?.

I'm considering of migration to ATI instead of my current GeForce 210, to ATI GPU, but haven't got a clue which i should go for..

Please shed some light.. icon_question.gif
sKyWiR3pT3lTd
post Mar 22 2010, 06:15 PM

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QUOTE(paskal @ Mar 22 2010, 06:06 PM)
i think it's done on the software side, by a decoder like the ffdshow audio decoder.
go into ffdshow audio decoder config, check the codes page.
by default ffdshow uses libavcodec to decode trueHD stream.

i might be wrong though, since i've never played any truehd stuffs on mine.yet.
*
You're absolutely right, use MPC-HC and FFdshow using libavcodec build 3267 to decode TrueHD stream
sKyWiR3pT3lTd
post Mar 28 2010, 06:10 PM

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Awesome HTPC setup. This must have cost you fortune. thumbup.gif
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