My new HTPC Setup

walkerx · 2007-06-24, 12:26

Finally got around to building an htpc, specs are

Biostar TA690G AM2 Motherboard
AMD AM2 3500+
2GB Corsair DDR2 (800mhz)
1 x 250GB HDD SATA seagate
1 x DVDRW SATA nec
Hauppauge HVR-1300

I'm plugging into a standard tv, as i ain't got hdtv, also currently using onboard sound but will be getting a dedicated sc with built in digital spdif

Rememember to install the k-lite codecs to enable playback of divx/xvid

THDBASED · 2007-06-24, 16:56

How do you like that board? Any problems, is it working nicely with MP? I was thinking about buying this board too since I read it has better on board GFX then 6150 nvidia ones...

walkerx · 2007-06-24, 17:22

had problems with it under vista 32 bit - the r300 (x1250) kept hanging after about 1 hour - also kept reporting an error with the apci-irq not assigned to pci 7

put xp-sp2 back on with media-portal and it works brilliantly - using the s-video output as only old standard tv at mo - also can't locate the spdif adapter for digital so only using stereo output - sound is fine for films, mp3 etc but as all this machine is going to do then will surfice until get dedicated sound card with optical/coax digital out

on boot-up of board until gets to windows welcome message its all black and white, as though transmitting in ntsc format, even though set for pal - but once windows drivers kick in get full colour

i will try to post an image up of media portal running - using the blue-two black theme as reports problems with project mayhem on startup

THDBASED · 2007-06-24, 19:38

Thx...is it fast enough to play SD TV?
Screenshot would be nice yes...

walkerx · 2007-06-24, 21:53

i'm just watching normal digital tv (freeview)

and it's perfect, played back divx, xvid, dvd's and mp3 (256k) all without problems

also recordings without problems

been moving mp3 from old machine to this, while watching tv and had no problems

haven't set up analogue fm though

petzlux · 2007-06-25, 10:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by THDBASED

Thx...is it fast enough to play SD TV?
Screenshot would be nice yes...

I got a Athlon 3500+ and can watch SDTV, but also HD content, x264 and so on no problem.

walkerx · 2007-06-25, 14:41

Quote:

Originally Posted by petzlux

Quote:

Originally Posted by THDBASED

Thx...is it fast enough to play SD TV?
Screenshot would be nice yes...

I got a Athlon 3500+ and can watch SDTV, but also HD content, x264 and so on no problem.

I think THDBASED was wondering more about the actual board, seeing uses onboard devices to play the video output, but yes it's perfect for SDTV

for reference - vista rating without installing drivers = 1.0 (32bit), after installing drivers it went upto 3.2 for 2d, and 3.0 for 3d

walkerx · 2007-06-27, 21:32

well as promised here's some shots of my media centre setup - not brilliant but works perfectly

Viewing DVB-T

TV Menu

Front View of Media Box

Media Box after completing build

Just to prove how good this setup is, tonight I recorded something from analogue tv, not digital and watched a vcd movie on cd at same time - i then went and checked the recording and it was perfect. So if anyone wants to know yes it's a fast enough combination

2007-06-24, 12:26	#1 (permalink)
walkerx Portal Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 66 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Country:	My new HTPC Setup Finally got around to building an htpc, specs are Biostar TA690G AM2 Motherboard AMD AM2 3500+ 2GB Corsair DDR2 (800mhz) 1 x 250GB HDD SATA seagate 1 x DVDRW SATA nec Hauppauge HVR-1300 I'm plugging into a standard tv, as i ain't got hdtv, also currently using onboard sound but will be getting a dedicated sc with built in digital spdif Rememember to install the k-lite codecs to enable playback of divx/xvid

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2007-06-24, 16:56	#2 (permalink)
THDBASED Portal Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 464 Thanks: 65 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Country: My System	How do you like that board? Any problems, is it working nicely with MP? I was thinking about buying this board too since I read it has better on board GFX then 6150 nvidia ones...

2007-06-24, 17:22	#3 (permalink)
walkerx Portal Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 66 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Country:	had problems with it under vista 32 bit - the r300 (x1250) kept hanging after about 1 hour - also kept reporting an error with the apci-irq not assigned to pci 7 put xp-sp2 back on with media-portal and it works brilliantly - using the s-video output as only old standard tv at mo - also can't locate the spdif adapter for digital so only using stereo output - sound is fine for films, mp3 etc but as all this machine is going to do then will surfice until get dedicated sound card with optical/coax digital out on boot-up of board until gets to windows welcome message its all black and white, as though transmitting in ntsc format, even though set for pal - but once windows drivers kick in get full colour i will try to post an image up of media portal running - using the blue-two black theme as reports problems with project mayhem on startup

2007-06-24, 19:38	#4 (permalink)
THDBASED Portal Member Join Date: Jan 2006 Posts: 464 Thanks: 65 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Country: My System	Thx...is it fast enough to play SD TV? Screenshot would be nice yes...

2007-06-24, 21:53	#5 (permalink)
walkerx Portal Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 66 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Country:	i'm just watching normal digital tv (freeview) and it's perfect, played back divx, xvid, dvd's and mp3 (256k) all without problems also recordings without problems been moving mp3 from old machine to this, while watching tv and had no problems haven't set up analogue fm though

2007-06-27, 21:32	#8 (permalink)
walkerx Portal Member Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 66 Thanks: 0 Thanked 2 Times in 2 Posts Country:	well as promised here's some shots of my media centre setup - not brilliant but works perfectly Viewing DVB-T TV Menu Front View of Media Box Media Box after completing build Just to prove how good this setup is, tonight I recorded something from analogue tv, not digital and watched a vcd movie on cd at same time - i then went and checked the recording and it was perfect. So if anyone wants to know yes it's a fast enough combination