First Antec HTPC build

[ShoopNL]

Hi,

In January 2008 I finished building my first HTPC.
Before that I was using an XBOX, with XBMC (Soft modded) to watch movies and series.
But this XBOX is not capable of playing (real) Full HD
I had set myself the following goals for the HTPC.
- Able to play Full HD (till p1080) on my FLatTV.
- Silent (goes for all components), because it will be placed in living room
- HTPC software supporting NL language.
- Upgradeable if the future.
- Able to receive Radio + Television via analog cable (something the XBOX also cannot do)
- Able to burn DVD dual (HD or Blue ray is to expensive right now)
- Able to connect with internet
- 7.1 audio output possibilities
- Casing should fit with current style of other audio compononts (Black case/blue display, wireless keyboard)
- Costs 600,- euro or less.

After studing/reading (for about 2 weeks) different formus and websites about (building) HTPC's,
I figured out the Hardware and Software, within my goals.

Hardware
Case: Antec Fusion Black (430 W)
Motherboard: MSI, K9AGM2-FIH (HD video/audio/internet integrated)
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2,BE-2350, Socket AM2, Boxed
Cooling: Scythe Ninja Mini
Memory: Kingston KVR800D2N5K2/2G, 2048 MB, DDR2, PC6400, 800 MHz, 2 x
Harddisk: Samsung Spinpoint T166, 320 GB, 7200 RPM, 16 MB, SATA II
CD/DVD player: Samsung SH-S203B,OEM, Black, Serial ATA150
TV/Radio: Asus My Cinema-P7131
Keyboard: Logitech diNovo Edge, Black, Silver, Retail
Display: Philips, Flat TV, 32PF7411

Software
OS: Windows XP
Media software: MediaPortal 1
Codex: I used what was delivered with software

All components I ordered via internet, and were delivered within 0ne week at my home.
Except for the Case, It appeared to be out of production and replaced by the Antec Fusion V2.0.
Which is only available in Black/silver and did not comply with my other audio component style.
After searching and calling arround to some shops I found one last Antec Fusion black (old model),
Which I had to pick up, but I got it (within my price range).

Building up took about 4 hours. The only problem I ran into was with the power supply of the case.
It comes with only one S-ata power connection, and I needed 2 (HD + CD/DVD player)
Luckily I was having a converter laying around that came with some old Highpoint s-ata controller I bought a few years ago.

I added a few pictures, from:
- The build up
- First test enviorment
- Placing in living room (this is not at my home, because I am residing somewhere else for my work till end of august 08)

Some results after using it for a month now.
- HD and Audio works great, however running full p1080 shows some interlacing lines, when there is lots of action/movement on the screen
- Extremely quiet (just do not here it, even with the default system fans inside)
- Temperature stay's below 30 degrees Celsius all the time.
- Display of Case is notworking correcly, it seems that my TV remote is interfering with my IR reicever in case then the display goes on tilt, have not been able to solve this.

MediaPortal experiance
- The TV series plugin works great, this really shows great
- The TV/Radio card is badly supported, it runs, but I do not get the quality as with the original software
- Photo's show slowely (but this can be because I am using a hardwired network drive, WD mybook which is not fast, currently I am looking to see if I can tweak that drive)
- Currently I cannot play directly from .ISO files (which I can via XBOX), I saw there is something in the config with deamon tools, but I need to try.

I am thinking about upgrading to Mediaportal II, but I am not sure if this is smart.

Please let me know what you think of my system.

(Update 09 AUG 08)
Finnaly I moved back to NL and was able to install my HTPC at it's designated position, at home.
See the new pictures below.
I also reinstalled the PC, it is still in eperimental phase, in october 2008 there is a Full HD (LCD) beamer planned.

[jerbob92]

Hi, i'm from the netherlands to soo...
Looking at the hardware i think you have looked at [ Hardware.Info ] - 100% Hardware!
It's a very nice system and i'm thinking of the same configuration... but i want the Antec Fusion V2.
I think you should wait for mediaportal 2 because it is not finished yet?

Jeroen

[ShoopNL]

Hi Jeroen,

I only got some specific hardware details from hardware.info site.

the main Idea for my system I got from this site:
Tweakers

The Antec Fusion I have is really quiet, even with the standard built in fans.
The case fans have a 3 speed selection, I have them set at Low.

Luckily there is a light on the front, that shows that it is ON.

[jerbob92]

Ok, i was thinking that because most hardware is recommered by hardware.info like:

Case: Antec Fusion Black (430 W)
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2,BE-2350, Socket AM2, Boxed
Cooling: Scythe Ninja Mini
Memory: Kingston KVR800D2N5K2/2G, 2048 MB, DDR2, PC6400, 800 MHz, 2 x
Harddisk: Samsung Spinpoint T166, 320 GB, 7200 RPM, 16 MB, SATA II

Only the harddisk was recommered 500 GB, but i like the system and when my wallet allows it i will buy kind of the same sytem and be happy with mediaportal, hope at the time Mediaportal 2 is finished!

The only thing is:
We have what we call in The Netherlands "Digitenne" and i have to buy a FloppyDTV and with a CAM module it is so exspensive, all together it is 200 euro, is there an alternative?

[ShoopNL]

I know Digitenne (Tried it from KPN, but quality was horible), currently I use CanalDigital via sattelite, this is cheap and good quality, half the price of digitenne.

I have choosen for the 320Gb harddisk, because I have a WD MyBook (750Gb), on my network, which is fast enough for watching movies, and is already a big storage space. The Samsung I use to boot and run OS + watching HD stuff

If you check this forum
it has an interesting HD specification, which is very quiet, alos the MB is very intresting, the whole price of his HTPC is about 350,- euro

[jerbob92]

Ok, well the quality isn't bad at all for us
And i also need to buy FloppyDTV so become 550...
And i can only work in the summer so i can buy the system in august.
Is Mybook really fast enough for streaming?

[ShoopNL]

The WD MyBook works good for stream normal Video, doing audio and watching pictures,
However if you run HD material for watching it is on it's limit and the drive should not be used for anything else then watching.
That is why I move HD material to my local drive.
Currently I have a 100Mb network (limited by my switch).
It is possible to change to 1Gb, but I am not sure if this will improve performance.

For FloppyDTV it doe not look like there are many alternative's available.
That is to bad, who know's you can get some second hand via E-bay or Marktplaats.

[jerbob92]

Well i think 1 gbit will not really help with the speed on your network!
And in august i think the prices have dropped and maybe some others than FloppyDTV have been made.
I had a better look at the pictures and the speakers are to cry!

[SwingSultan]

really looks great and even the cables are neatl in order to ensure airflow. but im very suprised that the amd 690g handles 1080p at all. afaik it only accelerates 720p. have you tried blue ray discs? i have heared that some copy protections require an extra gpu with your cpu.

[jerbob92]

Well do you have an blue ray drive? it is very exspensive
Can i ask one thing? What did it cost with the screen included?