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PC Audio HTPC, anyone doing this?

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prasys
post Sep 20 2008, 11:25 PM

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After months of epic battle , I've finally managed to build a HTPC Rig Myself

Casing : God know what mATX Casing. I'll take a picture or you can have a look over at blog. Its over like 3MB of JPEG File. Be warned my dial-up users , so I am not going to hotlink it here

Processor : Intel Pentium Series E2180 @ 2Ghz
RAM : 2GB DDR2 667Mhz
Motherboard : Gigabyte GA31M-S2L (comes with crappy GMA 3100 but who wants that crappy graphics card)
Graphics : XFX GeForce 8500GT 256MB DDR2 with HDMI
TV Tuner (Lol epic story , I bought two - I did manage to get cheapo card to work with MCE. I'll post a guide later on how to get cheapo cards to play nice with MCE) : Hauppauge WinTV 150 Media Center Edition
Keyboard and Mouse : M$ Wireless Keyboard and Mouse (the RM 99 keyboard and mouse)
Display : Panasonic 37" LCD TV (HDMI) (nah its not full HD)
prasys
post Oct 5 2008, 10:47 PM

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QUOTE(djlah @ Oct 5 2008, 10:28 PM)
a noob question here....

everyone know that for sure must have a good PCI or PCI-e Add-On Sound Card to produce better sound output when we connect via analog out.
Sound Card act to decode the digital to analog, play a very important role on HTPC.

How bout if we plan to connect via SPDIF or HDMI, which is the pure direct digital raw output to our AVR.
to be more technical term specify: I did compare regular good sound card did support 192KHz/24-bit audio digital output,
and compare to my build-in motherboard digital output audio support also same 192KHz/24-bit.

My question are: still make any different if we using digital out [compare build-in audio vs add-on. sound card???? (since there is no conversion needed)

any sifu or experienced formers kindly advise me if already audience with finding....thx
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I'm not a sound guru , your Bulit-in Audio card is capable of outputting HD Audio out without any problems. The problem is the sound isn't clear and sharp as a dedicated PCI or PCIe Sound card (i.e a Creative SoundBlaster Xi-fi or those high-end Creative SoundBlaster cards). A dedicated sound card is still a dedicated sound card. Your On board Audio uses your CPU to decode the audio and for some processing needs. Thats about it.

You can get a video card which has HDMI and that has a connector to connect it to your motherboard. So that you can use 1 cable which carries digital sound and digital video together. This should be your ideal setup !
prasys
post Oct 28 2008, 06:27 PM

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QUOTE(thefortyfour @ Oct 28 2008, 06:24 PM)
hi guys, can u guys recommed me vga card that good for blue ray and HD playback? I want to setup a pc that can use for blue ray and HD play back.is it possible?
*
These days onboard graphics card can do , that is from AMD and even Nvidia (the new one). I can't recall its model , but for HD Playback its pretty good.
prasys
post Oct 28 2008, 07:00 PM

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QUOTE(rsangel @ Oct 28 2008, 06:52 PM)
It actually depend on ur diplay too....
my current AMD setting (refer my Sff rig), it can play smooth 1080p MKV file  (using onboard GC) on my 19" Wide... but when i use it on my FUll HD LCD.... all goes wrong... jerky feeling, lag, pixelation ...
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You must understand that MKV file uses CPU rather then GPU. My PC fails to playback any 1080p *Pirate MKV Files* clearly as it needs much more powerful PC. I just use 720p as my TV isn't Full HD and I don't need 1080p (after all 720p is good enough).

Your HD TV is pure HD , meaning that your CPU has to output pixel by prefect which takes up more CPU usage. Graphics card isn't doing anything here. Trust me , just press alt+control+delete and notice your CPU usage when you're playing MKV Files
prasys
post Oct 28 2008, 08:16 PM

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QUOTE(Skylinestar @ Oct 28 2008, 08:14 PM)
if the MKV is properly encoded, it can support DXVA too.
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My graphics card supports DXVA (PureVideo HD). Anyhow , I am asking what decoders do I need to make sure that it passes to my graphics card. It seems that now the software does it instead of hardware.
prasys
post Oct 31 2008, 08:59 PM

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Anyway MPC : Home Media thingy does the trick , but I want Windows Media player to use the GPU rather then the CPU for this case. I am looking for a DirectShow filter that would do the trick , any recommendation !
prasys
post Nov 8 2008, 10:41 PM

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QUOTE(kelvinyam @ Nov 6 2008, 08:15 PM)
I'm considering purchasing a Studio Hybrid as HTPC. I have a LCD TV that accept HDMI, so that will be the link between the TV and the Hybrid. Since the TV speaker sounds lousy, I want to connect the Hybrid's SPDIF to a speaker (Edifier S2.1D) that accept digital audio signal. I also have a karaoke amplifier that only accept analogue audio signal, which I'd connect the Hybrid's analogue audio out to it.

Hybrid HDMI --> LCD TV
Hybrid SPDIF --> Edifier S2.1D
Hybrid Analogue Audio --> Karaoke amplifier

So these are my questions:

1. When HDMI is connected, can I still have audio signal out from either SPDIF or analogue?

2. If I want to switch audio signal output from SPDIF to analogue (and vice versa), do I need to reboot the PC? (I have no experience with Vista), or is it just a few clicks in the audio properties?

Base on info from forum, Dell Studio Hybrid uses GM945 chip set motherboard.

Thanks.
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Its not recommended though , but its up to you to use that.


1. It depends , usually HDMI carries video and as well as audio (provided that the cable from the VGA Card has been hooked with your audio card) , else it just carries video (like mine). aS FOR AUDIO , you can have both but you can only select once at a time. Again it depends how your sound card handles this. Not too sure about Dell

2. Its possible with Vista. You dont have to reboot , just switch and it would work tongue.gif
prasys
post Feb 16 2009, 01:46 PM

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QUOTE(Kelv @ Feb 16 2009, 01:42 PM)
The HTPC normally sells in package or DIY?
What's the average price? 1.5k budget possible for the rig?
I wanna use it to watch downloaded movie and some gaming.
Plan to hook it to my house 37" LCD TV.
Please advise, thank you.
*
Well Acer/HP sells them in packages. They call it as the multimedia PC , it has TV Tuners , Remote control , wireless keyboard and mouse and it just works with ASTRO (if you have)

You may want to assemble yourself - That is what I did. All I wanted is well a HDMI capable graphics card , a processor which can take media files and light gaming , and not to mention a TV Tuner which can record my astro shows and stream it via the Internet

RM 1.5k is possible , but however don't expect to play some serious gaming in 1080p (if its full HD) , 720p may be possible

Keep in mind that I am assuming that you're not going to buy Media center capable stuff - i.e keyboard and remote which would work with Media center. If you plan to use windows media center , then its recommended to get a Windows MCE compatible keyboard and remote (I am using one which came along with TV Tuner and my wireless keyboard)

Added on February 16, 2009, 1:47 pm
QUOTE(ericmaxman @ Feb 15 2009, 08:53 PM)
My HTPC has come, but I used lots of recycled hardware

Pentium D 820
1Gb Corsair XMS2
80GB SATA2 Seagate
Gigabyte 965P-DS3
LiteOn 20x DVD Write

The noise generated from the CPU cooler is enough to destroy the ambiance. I will also put a TV tuner into the mix.
*
Add 1GB of RAM

Add TV Tuner - get Hauppague MCE-150 if you plan to record ASTRO shows and use Windows Media Center !



This post has been edited by prasys: Feb 16 2009, 01:47 PM
prasys
post Feb 16 2009, 02:32 PM

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QUOTE(ericmaxman @ Feb 16 2009, 01:56 PM)
TV tuner will be "obtained" from another rig of mine.  brows.gif
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Plan to link it with ASTRO eh ?
prasys
post Mar 8 2009, 11:39 PM

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I think Nvidia cards don't allow pass-through nor they do have onboard sound card to process it up. This is why people go for ATI cards. Correct me if I am wrong but I am using an nVidia card and its only able to output video via HDMI (Its GeForce 8500GT) as for Audio , I have to connect it from my sound card directly to my amp !
prasys
post Mar 10 2009, 09:36 PM

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QUOTE(terencetoo @ Mar 10 2009, 09:20 PM)
Done, by googling for a few hours ....
my 9800 GTX+ DK comes with SPDIF cable where i have no idea what is that...so

manage to get a rough idea how to start from scratch...

Connect my SPDIF cable from onboard motherboard --> VGA...from there set the Bios (default- SPDIF) to HDMI...walla sound it there...deliver through DVI ---> HDMI port.

"BUT" another strange thing is:

1) When using DVI --> Analog. My LCD shows crisp and define Text form the words.

2) When using DVI --> HDMI. The words not as defined as using Analog input. The text looks kind of wired. I mean not as define as it used to be.

I really hope u guys understand what i mean.

Anyone overcome this problem?

Thanks
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Are you using full HDTV or HDTV Ready

When you use DVI to HDMI , and if your TV has overscanning enabled , its going to overscan. So texts do look blur anyway. Disable overscan (if you have a full HD TV and it will look just fine)

or just increase the text size like I did to compensate for overscan !
prasys
post Mar 18 2009, 04:58 PM

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QUOTE(Sony Trinitron @ Mar 17 2009, 09:20 PM)
guys i wanna setup a htpc but was wondering when i connect to my kuro 50" will the text looks cacat? it is a large display but not full hd though... just 1366x768 i think
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Yes , your TV will overscan if you're connecting via HDMI/DVI. If you use VGA , your TV wouldn't overscan
QUOTE(budakhops @ Mar 17 2009, 10:45 PM)
guys... what kind of mce remote did u guys use?? thinking of getting a mce remote... but niclasteoh said out of stock...
got 1 guy in garagesales want to sell his xtra remote @ rm100.. do u think its worth it??
*
Seems to be worth the money , if you have TV Tuner already installed


QUOTE(mADmAN @ Mar 18 2009, 04:19 PM)
mind giving me a link to the product?? wanna see the pic and specs...

googling didnt bring any results..

or just pix of it is fine too... thanks

oh n... USB or PS2 connection?
*
I've it in my blog.

http://prasys.co.cc/2008/10/my-new-genuis-mediacruiser-810/

Its Genuis Mediacruiser 810. Karhoe recommended it ! Read it and take a look for yourself

I bought it for RM 279 , its not RM 99 (correction)

This post has been edited by prasys: Mar 18 2009, 05:07 PM
prasys
post Mar 18 2009, 05:46 PM

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QUOTE(g5sim @ Mar 18 2009, 05:06 PM)
thats the problem. i was rushing and didnt note the the model number or snap a photo of the damn thing. There were so many of them. I willl go there again and take down the model number

i saw a mouse, the keyboard, a remote and a USB adapter. I assume the USB thingy is the infra red adapter for the keyboard/mouse/remote smile.gif

Added on March 18, 2009, 5:19 pm

can u detach the remote control from the keyboard?

http://www.genius-europe.com/en/produktdet...0&ID=25&ID3=325
*
Nope you can't !

QUOTE(mADmAN @ Mar 18 2009, 05:36 PM)
i take it this is the unit??
user posted image

i have to admit...it does look sexy... but at RM280 it is quite pricey...

also looks kinda big...was hoping for something smaller like the one i have below...one where the "mouse" is integrated to the keyboard unit.

gonna read up on a REVIEW i found after i post this

anyway...how well does it work with XP Pro? coz thats what im using for my HTPC/download/surfing rig..
thanks...hope to get the info soon... where the shop by the way??? kinda hard to find Genius product these days what with A4Tech, Logitech and Razer dominating the market.
im currently using this
user posted image
its a cheap RM38 keyboard with integrated cursor control which i bought from the big shop on the 4th floor of LYP (not thundermatch..harga runtuh or something like that)... sadly..no more in stock. i did manage to buy an extra 1 just in case biggrin.gif

the cursor control on my unit has spoilt..coz its a plastic thingy beneath the rubber... so i had to fix it... by replacing the plastic thing with a screw and now it looks like this laugh.gif
user posted image
i still have another brand new unit...but would really like to have other alternatives...mainly because.... its infra red.. so line of sight is a must...but the range is impressive... 7 metres! but i really do hate the line of sight thing... n kinda need other options just in case...

also this uses 2xAA Batteries

one good thing about it is the PS2 connection...so i can press the "power" button on the keyboard to turn my PC on or off (after enabling the option in the BIOS)...this wont work with USB
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It doesn't do well. It only favours Media Center 2005 or Vista MCE. Well , it would load up the driver just fine but then your media keys wouldn't even work (i.e Record , Live TV , Record TV , My Music and so on). If you're using XP Pro , then its not worth it to get this keyboard

Anyway , yes I can wake my PC from sleep (S3 sleep/hibernate). However it doesn't work if you're powering it from cold boot. You'll still have to press the power button in the PC manually !
prasys
post Mar 18 2009, 08:16 PM

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QUOTE(budakhops @ Mar 18 2009, 05:58 PM)
@Prasys
currently i dun watch tv often... usually just the avi & mkv i dl'ed from the net... so no need for a tv tuner...
rite now i dun know which one to choose... buy from niclasteoh (currently no stock) or just buy from the other forumer...
at lowyat plaza can get cheaper?? for this type of remote??
*
Yeah

Anyway it will work. Don't worry bout it. My Windows Media Center Remote (which was designed for MCE 2005 , works with windows 7 and Vista)

Its universal. So if it works with Vista , it will work with Windows 7 !

Windows 7 is after all Vista 2.0 !
prasys
post Mar 19 2009, 11:10 AM

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QUOTE(mADmAN @ Mar 19 2009, 10:17 AM)
oh....mine works from cold boot biggrin.gif
but anyway...thanks for the info...have to look elsewhere....

im kinda searching more like the one im using right now..... dont really need extra features except the volume and mute button.
*
Then a simple Wireless keyboard would do anyway

Mine only works from S3 Sleep. It doesn't boot from Cold Boot. I think I'll have to mess with the BIOS

Anyone knows any other good alternative besides crappy My Movie. Its freakin' bloated
prasys
post Mar 19 2009, 01:43 PM

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As long Windows Media Player can playback Real Media files , then yeah Windows Media Center can play'em back

You need to make sure that windows media player can play those files

Decided to stick with my Movies for now . Later I'll post a screenshot of all the movie collections
prasys
post Mar 20 2009, 12:18 AM

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QUOTE(Matrix @ Mar 19 2009, 11:19 PM)
Skylinestar: I tried ur Salami combo thingy, it works but...

1) I only get 'half picture' due to the orientation of the vista mce photo frame, anyway to make it show everything instead of half?
[attachmentid=856624]

2) I can only get it to work at the folder level b4 the actual mkv file...the mkv file is still blank.
[attachmentid=856625]

Any solution?? rclxub.gif
*
My personal recommendation would be to use MyMovies

Although its bloated. It does a great job

As for me , I usually burn mkvs in DVD. Saves up my hard disk storage
prasys
post Mar 23 2009, 06:54 PM

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Moving this to Home Entertainment Section

I think this thread belongs in Home Entertainment instead of here @ Hardware section to due to the fact that we talk more on how to build one and how to set it up with our TVs and amp
prasys
post Mar 23 2009, 09:37 PM

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QUOTE(Skylinestar @ Mar 23 2009, 08:02 PM)
i mean where they keep the keyboard in the shop sweat.gif
i always scout around sricomp, the area where they sells mouse/keyboard/accessories (opposite the pci/usb/card reader area), hoping to look for cheap mce remote or keyboard but never find any.
*
Garage Sales would be the best option for you

I've seen remotes for like RM 100

Finding MCE remote its bit hard , very hard to find one which is cheap. Its all like RM 150+

Added on March 23, 2009, 9:38 pm
QUOTE(ericmaxman @ Mar 23 2009, 07:01 PM)
But then there is already one here, eh?
*
It will be merged soon , I think !



This post has been edited by prasys: Mar 23 2009, 09:38 PM
prasys
post Mar 27 2009, 04:45 PM

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I dont know why some of you use that Other media software thingy for VMC

Recently I found OML (Google it up , its in google source and its open source). Its a good replacement to that crappy MyMovies thingy as we all do know the fact that MyMovies is basically a bloatware

I like the way as it has a good database tool as opposed to others. Its able to import directly from Amazon , etc with all the details or alternatively from MyMovies (MyMovies has lots of movies in complete information which I like)

Works well if you have MKVs burnt in a DVD or external drive ! Does a great job in that
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This post has been edited by prasys: Mar 27 2009, 04:46 PM
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