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 HTPC V2, Home Theater PC Setup, HOWTO and Guides

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twtang
post May 28 2010, 02:13 PM

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QUOTE(firestater @ May 28 2010, 11:15 AM)
My humble entry level setup
p7h55m-i3-stock hsf(not bad)-2gb ram-1tb ram-powerlogic allegra 500
+
Samsung 40"
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Samsung HT (optical)
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XBMC ( abit headache to personalize) & Boxee (nice online stuff)

» Click to show Spoiler - click again to hide... «

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Bro,

where did you get your casing, very nice.

Can share?
twtang
post Jun 25 2010, 02:25 PM

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Hi,

I am new to HTPC too. Just have my HTPC done.

Mobo: MA4785TD-V-EVO
CPU: AMD Phenom II X2 555 BE
RAM: 2GB Kingston
Hdd: Western D Green 1TB
Software to playback: XBMC

Recently when I play back the rmvb movie, very laggy.

Any advise?
twtang
post Jun 28 2010, 01:24 PM

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QUOTE(wenhui100 @ Jun 28 2010, 01:19 PM)
Yoh ... i think remote is a big issue man ... does anyone know where to get a compatable xmbc remote control?
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Try this:

http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=896317&hl=
twtang
post Jul 9 2010, 12:36 PM

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QUOTE(AjkR06 @ Jul 9 2010, 07:50 AM)
BDROM drive and BD prices now are still expensive for me...
better I wait until the price are getting more affordable, and at that time, will consider to change to BD...  tongue.gif

Added on July 9, 2010, 7:50 am

Wah... rclxms.gif  Ok... Thx for your feedback.

Added on July 9, 2010, 7:54 amOhh..
BTW, may I know which TV capture card are good for HTPC.

Currently I'm using leadtek winfast one.... it's kinda cheap TV card (bought it for about RM140 on last January),
only have FM, Analog TV, Composite and S-video input....

And I have heard that some TV card offered something that called IR-BLASTER. It can control the Astro TV channels through HTPC remote control. It's that true? And can suggest me some good TV card for HTPC...? notworthy.gif
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Hi,

but so far is there a way to record Astro B.yond?
twtang
post Jul 14 2010, 04:48 PM

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QUOTE(temppei @ Jul 14 2010, 04:40 PM)
i'm getting two of these.
http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=1482489&hl=

smile.gif smile.gif

good itx mobo with all the bells and whistles for a small htpc.
*
wow, this is poison !!!

Cheapest M-ITX mobo ever...only support intel proc right?
twtang
post Jul 14 2010, 05:25 PM

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QUOTE(temppei @ Jul 14 2010, 05:14 PM)
kianwee,
solid for most smile.gif

nice review : http://www.bit-tech.net/hardware/motherboa...rboard-review/1

http://www.hardwaresecrets.com/article/953
got me hooked.

twtang, cheapest h55 itx board i've scouted so far. smile.gif
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Too poison...but I have had my HTPC built up recently and worried about M-ITX PSU for special made SFF casing, very hard to find spare parts.

PC Spec :
CPU - AM3 Phenom II X3 720BE
MB - Asus M4A785TD-V EVO
RAM - Kingston KVR1333 DDR3 2GB
HDD - WD Green 1TB
VGA - Internal ATI Radeon HD 4200
Casing - XQBox 800
Speakers - Using my Yamaha RX v457 Home Theater
Monitor -Samsung 40" LED TV
Remote - Packet Bell Remote Control
Keyboard Mouse - Logitech Wireless Keyboard + Mouse
Wifi - Dlink Dongle.

This post has been edited by twtang: Jul 15 2010, 10:00 PM
twtang
post Jul 16 2010, 10:06 PM

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QUOTE(stan001 @ Jul 15 2010, 12:31 PM)
Hi, I just notice you have ALMOST the same same setup as mine....

CPU (720 BE) /mobo/memory/casing.. even the Home Theater & keyboard/mouse also SAME brand!!!!

Don't you have heat issues with yr casing.. mine put inside the TV cabinet, very bad air circulation I have to put a 4" fan blowing cool air into the tv cabinet and change my CPU cooler to Zalman CNPS 8700 LED or else the stock cpu cooler runs at full speed 6000rpms...
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Stan,

I was referring to your blog as reference. But, going to change my CPU back to 555BE.

I put my HTPC in the TV cabinet too, but my cabinet door the glass broken last time, so air ventilation still Ok. I feel strange about your CPU fan spinning at 6k all the time? Mine is weird, normally about 4k rpm, but sometime it will be 5500rpm non-stop don't know why and I have to reboot only solve the problem.

I plan to install a fan behind the cabinet, do you think it is more logical to blow cool air in or suck hot air out?

By the way, my XBMC still lagging on play certain mkv, some time got jerky and square square box. Don't know why.
twtang
post Jul 29 2010, 12:49 PM

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QUOTE(echoesian @ Jul 29 2010, 12:36 PM)
How much and where to buy?
*
Bro,

I am using XQbox as well, but instead I buy this remote controller from this dude and it works well with XBMC and Windows Media Center.

http://forum.lowyat.net/index.php?showtopic=896317&hl=

Let me know if you want XQBox, I am selling my XQBOX.
twtang
post Aug 5 2010, 09:17 AM

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QUOTE(stan001 @ Aug 4 2010, 05:08 PM)
If you have time, there are another 126 pages on HTPC V1 on the first posting... happy reading..

Remember, HTPC is different from a normal PC or gaming rig... need a balance between aesthetics, CPU power, size , cooling and noise...
Aesthetics - have a "nice" chassis as it is in the middle of the living room, looks more like hifi that PC chassis with LED displays

CPU power - need medium power in case you need to do a lot of video encoding or video conversion to other formats

Size - usually smaller chassis but more I/O slots at the front panel ( memory card readers , video / audio input , USB ports )

Cooling & noise - should stay cool ( if inside a tv cabinet ) and low fan speed to prevent annoying noise while watching tv / playing music
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Hi,

This is very good feedback, but there is a question always being asked by people:

Why do I need a HTPC if I can opt for media player, like WD media player etc which can also deliver the same purpose?
twtang
post Aug 5 2010, 01:16 PM

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Thanks guys, the purpose of asking the question is to give more options and some thought to user who are in between building HTPC or buying a ready made HD player.

I would like to add one more:

I build my HTPC to serve as a download machine and can play whenever I want. That is the beauty.
twtang
post Aug 6 2010, 09:01 AM

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Hi Stan001,

I have my HTPC on 24 hours because it is a downloading server ! hehe.

It is connecting to my LED TV and I have the freedom of using XBMC or Windows 7 media center. Meaning, both of the applications allow me to playback mkv movies.
twtang
post Nov 17 2010, 04:00 PM

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QUOTE(cougar richard @ Nov 17 2010, 02:07 PM)
Guys, I have important questions which need the answer from you all.

I am thinking of building an core i3 system.
so my question are:

1. Is there any lagging when play back High Bit Rate Full HD video with i3? like cpu utilisation max out...

2. Is there any problem so far with the picture quality, audio quality, and HD audio bitstream with i3 Integrated GPU?

3. Is it ALL Video can do DXVA on i3 IGP SMOOTHLY?

Thank you guys..
*
Hi,

I am using i3 540 and


1. Is there any lagging when play back High Bit Rate Full HD video with i3? like cpu utilisation max out... : Won't, everything works perfect.

2. Is there any problem so far with the picture quality, audio quality, and HD audio bitstream with i3 Integrated GPU? - No problem at all

3. Is it ALL Video can do DXVA on i3 IGP SMOOTHLY? - Never try

So far, playing 1080p mkv file no issue at all.
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