HTPC Finshed... Hopfully :D

handya · 2008-03-29, 22:15

I started using Media Portal late last year on an old second hand rundown computer with a hauppuage 150card, the idea was to make a pvr on the cheep as i had just got a dvd/hdd recorder and that did not work out too well.
after my demands grew so did the budget

, but i think im done (well i hope im done as i have spent far more than i wanted too

)

my system consists of a back end server, and a front end client with a 40" 1080p samsung, and 5.1 audio, a 1.3Tib raid 5, raid for storage.

Back end server:
TV Cards:
2x Hauppauge WinTV-HVR4000
1x HAUPPAUGE WinTV PVR150
HDD:
160gig time shift drive
260gig rec drive
40gig os drive
Mainboard/CPU:
im not sure

, some amd thing
1gig ram

Front end:
40"1080p Samsung
5.1 amp + speakers
SILVERSTONE LASCALA SST-LC17 (Black) Case
Asus P5S-MX SE mobo
Asus Blu-ray player,
intel core 2 duo cpu,
nVidia 8600GT video card,
1gig ram
40gig hdd,
S/PDIF out for audio (with ac3 filter)
MCE IR with Logitech Harmony 525

Paranoid Delusion · 2008-03-29, 22:39

Now tidy up those cables, cred goes out the window otherwise, how does any decent spouse hoover over those

ps. NICE ONE

handya · 2008-03-29, 23:08

yes, well... i working on that @ the moment

2BitSculptor · 2008-03-30, 06:43

Sweet setup.....

Mobo specs? (inquiring minds need to know)

I just need to know what is working for people... I'm still deciding on the Mobo's and cpu's. I will have a similar setup when I'm done... but using the HDHomerun for my ATSC tuners (and the PVR150 for FM and analog). I'll be adding minimum 500 GB for DVD movie storage. With another 150 for time-shifting, 250 GB for DVR and another 250 GB for my CD collection.

thnx

Chuck

handya · 2008-03-30, 06:55

the front end pc is running on a asus p5s-mx se, not sure what the backend is, i will find out and get back 2 u

Marcusb · 2008-03-30, 08:30

I'm confused about your hard drive set up.
Your client has 1.3tb of storage and your timeshift file is almost as large as your recording drive, but the recording drive is small compared to your client.

I'd recommend expanding your recording drive, then again, if it's big enough for you then you have a great set up.

All in all, I like what you have done

Cheers,
Marcus.

handya · 2008-03-30, 08:49

yeah, 1.3tb is for back/dvds/podcasts/videos and what not, i have a 260gig for recording, and the 160gig is for time shifting, i wanted a separate drive for time shifting and that was the only one i had, abit large but thats fine

when i get more time i will edit and create a fuller description of what i have
cheers

finrudd341 · 2008-03-30, 10:47

Looks a nice setup Handya - I particularly like the backend server approach, which is my ultimate goal - how do you connect between the remote cab and the main setup under the TV? Are you running gigabit connections via switches? CAT5e/CAT6/Fibre etc?

On an aside, on Friday I witnessed a company in Singapore throwing out two new looking full size Comaq racks (expensive, branded 'fancy' racks), both complete with rack mounted keyboards, KVM switches and those fold flat LCD screens that open up as you pull them out of the 2U enclosure...I asked if I could save one..but for 'security reasons' they had to be sent off for scrap. I almost wept.

Gixxer · 2008-03-30, 15:22

really nice setup.

let me ask you a question, how are the hard drives setup as raid 5? via hardware or software?

and in relation to previous question, what OS are u running in the server?

i am doing some research to built my own one

handya · 2008-04-01, 01:31

the connection is just a 100meg cat 5e between front and back end, i can stream 1080p video no problem.

the backend tv server is running on windows xp pro

the file server is a software raid program called "freenas" the only disadvantage with this program is that you cannot grow your raid 5 eg you have to re-format ur drive when you want to add more hdds to the raid, this is y when i upgrade im switching programs

but freenas is still realy good.

2008-03-29, 22:15	#1 (permalink)
handya Portal Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 115 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	HTPC Finshed... Hopfully :D I started using Media Portal late last year on an old second hand rundown computer with a hauppuage 150card, the idea was to make a pvr on the cheep as i had just got a dvd/hdd recorder and that did not work out too well. after my demands grew so did the budget , but i think im done (well i hope im done as i have spent far more than i wanted too ) my system consists of a back end server, and a front end client with a 40" 1080p samsung, and 5.1 audio, a 1.3Tib raid 5, raid for storage. Back end server: TV Cards: 2x Hauppauge WinTV-HVR4000 1x HAUPPAUGE WinTV PVR150 HDD: 160gig time shift drive 260gig rec drive 40gig os drive Mainboard/CPU: im not sure , some amd thing 1gig ram Front end: 40"1080p Samsung 5.1 amp + speakers SILVERSTONE LASCALA SST-LC17 (Black) Case Asus P5S-MX SE mobo Asus Blu-ray player, intel core 2 duo cpu, nVidia 8600GT video card, 1gig ram 40gig hdd, S/PDIF out for audio (with ac3 filter) MCE IR with Logitech Harmony 525 Last edited by handya; 2008-03-30 at 06:55.

2008-03-29, 22:39	#2 (permalink)
Paranoid Delusion Super Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: Cheshire UK Posts: 4,993 Thanks: 54 Thanked 121 Times in 119 Posts Country: My System	Now tidy up those cables, cred goes out the window otherwise, how does any decent spouse hoover over those ps. NICE ONE __________________ Ray Check your codecs are fine with Filmerit. XP\Vista known issues FOR FULL SUPPORT PLEASE GIVE USER SPECIFICATIONS AND RELEVANT LOG's as per HERE

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2008-03-29, 23:08	#3 (permalink)
handya Portal Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 115 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	yes, well... i working on that @ the moment

2008-03-30, 06:43	#4 (permalink)
2BitSculptor Portal Member Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: South Central Wisconsin Age: 54 Posts: 137 Thanks: 2 Thanked 1 Time in 1 Post Country: My System	Sweet setup..... Mobo specs? (inquiring minds need to know) I just need to know what is working for people... I'm still deciding on the Mobo's and cpu's. I will have a similar setup when I'm done... but using the HDHomerun for my ATSC tuners (and the PVR150 for FM and analog). I'll be adding minimum 500 GB for DVD movie storage. With another 150 for time-shifting, 250 GB for DVR and another 250 GB for my CD collection. thnx Chuck

2008-03-30, 06:55	#5 (permalink)
handya Portal Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 115 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	the front end pc is running on a asus p5s-mx se, not sure what the backend is, i will find out and get back 2 u

2008-03-30, 08:30	#6 (permalink)
Marcusb Super Moderator Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Melbourne Posts: 1,834 Thanks: 51 Thanked 21 Times in 21 Posts Country: My System	I'm confused about your hard drive set up. Your client has 1.3tb of storage and your timeshift file is almost as large as your recording drive, but the recording drive is small compared to your client. I'd recommend expanding your recording drive, then again, if it's big enough for you then you have a great set up. All in all, I like what you have done Cheers, Marcus.

2008-03-30, 08:49	#7 (permalink)
handya Portal Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 115 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	yeah, 1.3tb is for back/dvds/podcasts/videos and what not, i have a 260gig for recording, and the 160gig is for time shifting, i wanted a separate drive for time shifting and that was the only one i had, abit large but thats fine when i get more time i will edit and create a fuller description of what i have cheers

2008-03-30, 10:47	#8 (permalink)
finrudd341 Portal Member Join Date: Feb 2008 Location: Singapore Posts: 47 Thanks: 7 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	Looks a nice setup Handya - I particularly like the backend server approach, which is my ultimate goal - how do you connect between the remote cab and the main setup under the TV? Are you running gigabit connections via switches? CAT5e/CAT6/Fibre etc? On an aside, on Friday I witnessed a company in Singapore throwing out two new looking full size Comaq racks (expensive, branded 'fancy' racks), both complete with rack mounted keyboards, KVM switches and those fold flat LCD screens that open up as you pull them out of the 2U enclosure...I asked if I could save one..but for 'security reasons' they had to be sent off for scrap. I almost wept.

2008-03-30, 15:22	#9 (permalink)
Gixxer Portal Member Join Date: Aug 2007 Age: 23 Posts: 363 Thanks: 15 Thanked 3 Times in 3 Posts Country: My System	really nice setup. let me ask you a question, how are the hard drives setup as raid 5? via hardware or software? and in relation to previous question, what OS are u running in the server? i am doing some research to built my own one

2008-04-01, 01:31	#10 (permalink)
handya Portal Member Join Date: Sep 2007 Posts: 115 Thanks: 1 Thanked 0 Times in 0 Posts Country: My System	the connection is just a 100meg cat 5e between front and back end, i can stream 1080p video no problem. the backend tv server is running on windows xp pro the file server is a software raid program called "freenas" the only disadvantage with this program is that you cannot grow your raid 5 eg you have to re-format ur drive when you want to add more hdds to the raid, this is y when i upgrade im switching programs but freenas is still realy good.