Is that right? Interesting...

I am planning to build a HTPC after I move in to my new apartment (July). Will be installing a projector (considering Sony VPL-HS60, 1280x720 resolution) at ceiling level projecting to 100" size on a drop-down screen, with a 40"/42" LCD TV (considering Sony KLV-V40A10, 1366x768 resolution) on the wall nearby. These two will be my video output devices. My sound output (for anything viewed through projector) will be through the receiver (considering Sony STR-DB798/S) and Bose Acoustimass speakers (7 mounted at ceiling, sub-woofer on the ground).

For viewing DVDs, I plan on viewing via a Sony RDR-HX910 PVR w/ DVD burner. I intend to use the HTPC for these main functions:

1. Streaming video from my server (MPEGs, mostly ripped from my DVD collection) to LCD TV & Projector
2. Streaming audio from my server (MP3s, ripped from my CD collection)
3. Gaming on the BIG screen with 7.1ch surround sound
4. Occassional internet surfing
5. Occassional ripping or burning custom CDs (especially at initial setup, to speed up ripping my CDs to the server).
6. Occassional ripping of DVDs (especially at initial setup, as I put a big chunk of my DVD collection on the server).

Wireless connection to server via 802.11g; am thinking of using Linksys for its SRX capabilities, to maximise speed for the streaming video.

What do you guys think of this setup? I will be discussing this with my interior designer and the AV specialist tomorrow morning.

Hi dirtrun,

I picked Bose, as I already have a 5.1 system that I brought back from the US 7 years ago, so I just need to pick up 2 satellite speakers to complete the set. Plus it's small and easy to fit into the design for my new place. Cost + convenience. No wife, so no need to please anyone but myself

As for Sony, I picked that simply for:
1. Standardization on one brand for HT, eases the interconnection and controlling the whole system. Already have 2 units of Sony 300-CD disc changers, planning on getting the Sony PVR as I think it has the best features of all PVRs I can find in Malaysia.
2. I go for features and ease of use, rather than ultimate AV performance, as I am not too picky on how "high-end" the audio will sound. So long as good enough for me. Most of the time, I don't think I can tell the difference anyway.
3. Budget... some of the really high-end stuff cost more per item than what I plan to spend on my HT system. I reserve my $$ for my PC rigs, that's where I go all out and get the best.

Am thinking of using a Silverstone HTPC casing with VFD/LCD display so the looks will blend with the rest of my HT items. Either that or a Shuttle XPC type rig.

This post has been edited by Traveler: Apr 7 2006, 03:20 PM

Actually the 40" LCD will be on one wall, and the 100" projected image will be on a drop-down screen. Will be discussing this with the interior designer and AV specialist tomorrow morning, to see how viable this is. The AV guy is also supposed to advise on speaker location.

Apartment not that big.. 1600sq ft 3+1 bedroom (very small +1 bedroom, hehe).
Smallest apartment in the building.

Saw this local HTPC ad at Bluedot. Anyone seen the actual device and have further info?

Bluedot M89 at RM4688.

I have an Enlight 3.5" USB internal/external card reader (can fit in a floppy slot) that I bought in LY a couple years back. It's dark grey (almost black) in colour. I'll be looking for more in the future, so I hope they show up in LY again.

AlamakLor - nice looking rig

I'm building a high-end HTPC too, for my new home theatre setup which will be installed within the next month. I'd like to ask for everyone's opinion/advice for my proposed rig.

I'm using this HTPC as:
1. PVR - to record TV/Astro - also with episode guide;
2. DVD player (HD?) and DVD burner to backup or move offline my favourite recorded shows
3. Music player - to stream MP3s from my server (located in another room) over either wired (1G) or wireless (802.11g) network (wired/wireless depends on pre-existing wiring)
4. Video player - to stream MPEGs from my server (as above)
5. Secondary gaming rig - occasionally would like to be able to play games on this rig - and use the projector/big screen LCD as the monitor
6. Secondary internet access rig - occasionally would like to surf on this rig
7. What else can I do with this thing?


Proposed Specs:
Casing: Silverstone LC-18 (integrated 7" LCD screen) - love the LCD screen, but price tag is very hefty!!! About RM2.6k. Are there any other casings out there with integrated LCD screens that are cheaper? I've looked but can't seem to find any.

CPU: Athlon AM2 X2 3800+ with Zalman CNPS9700 LED cooler
Mobo: Asus AN2N32-SLI Wireless
GPU: XFX 7600GT - to add another 7600GT in SLI if I want to do more gaming on the big screen
TV Tuner: Hauppage WinTV-PVR-500 MCE (dual tuners, so I can watch one channel while recording a 2nd channel)
Video output to:
1. Sony VPL-HS60 projector (100" target screen) [already purchased]
2. 40+" LCD screen (Toshiba, Sony, Samsung?) - will get this later
3. integrated 7" LCD screen (if I get the Silverstone LC18)
Sound card: Creative X-Fi Elite Pro
Sound output to:
Yamaha RX-V2600 plus 7.1 Energy Take 5.2 speaker setup [already purchased]
HDs: 3x Seagate 320GB HDs (depends on casing's availability to have multiple HDs without overheating - the LC18 can hold 5 HDs or 3 HDs with spacing in between)
Others: dual DVD-RW or maybe just one DVD-RW now, adding a Blu-Ray/HD-DVD later when they become more widespread, 3.5" multi-card reader
OS: Win XP Pro/MCE
PSU: Silverstone ST60F Modular PSU (600W) - 600W enough? - including future expansion (2nd GPU for SLI, 2nd optical drive, maybe 4th & 5th HD)
Keyboard/Mouse: Logitech Cordless Desktop MX5000
Remote: Logitech Harmony 890 or 1000 Advanced Universal Remote
Software: to be determined

Have I missed anything? I'll be ordering parts in the next few days, and will post pics here.

Thanks

My home theatre setup cost about 30k for receiver, projector, screen, speakers, installation & cabling, automation equipment for lighting and equipment control, and a few odds and ends. I'm adding my own HTPC, old 300-disc CD changers (have 2), Roku Soundbridge, LCD TV (to be purchased later, waiting for higher spec), and HD/Blu-ray DVD player (also later, when I have better feel on which format will win out).

I dont know about Astro Max, as I would prefer to concentrate on having all my shows recorded on the HTPC so I can archive them later either to DVD or to my server. I had thought of only 1 astro decoder, with the 2nd source coming from the TV antenna.

Yeah RM2K+ for a casing is absurd to me too. Which is why I am looking for an alternative. I really want an integrated LCD screen about 7" or so in size, and I don't need it to be a touchscreen. But I can't seem to find any cheaper alternatives. I've found a couple other designs but they all seem to be about the same price + shipping to KL.

Am also looking at some sound absorbing material like Akasa's stuff, to add on the inside of the casing to quieten things down. Was also considering watercooling the rig, but decided it would be simpler to just use a quiet CPU cooler like the Zalman.

Is that right? I bought a magazine recently with a very good article on setting up a HTPC, and I think they used a dual tuner (Hauppage), BeyondTV, etc. I seem to have misplaced it however... can't seem to find it.

I can use BeyondTV to support dual signals:

So I guess based on what everyone is posting is that currently the best OS for a HTPC setup is still XP? Vista is still not quite there yet with problems running other software?

What about choice of tuners? I was thinking of the Hauppage WinTV PVR-500MCE but they had all sorts of hardware problems that may have only just been rectified (unconfirmed) - read that on the Snapstream forums.

Well I might just have a 2nd decoder soon, so I'm considering it. My mobo is cramped enough already with 2 video cards (3 output devices) and a sound card. I am not sure if I can get 2 tuner cards in, so I'm considering a dual tuner card.

I wonder if Malaysia will get digital TV anytime this decade? I remember RTM testing some new broadcast standard (was it digital?) a year ago.

You could:

1. Build a NAS rig from old/cheap parts and hook up a bunch of HDs, but this requires some networking (with a switch or direct via a crossover cable).
2. Buy a few external HDs (either the ready-made ones or the HDs + external enclosures) and hook them up via USB/eSATA/Firewire.