Please verify my design:-)

[evgeninikolo]

Hi,

Like most of you, I am fascinated from the Media Portal software. I've tested it on my desktop computer (however without any DVB cards) and I'm pretty happy with it. Now I would like to build my first HTPC. Here is the configuration I'm thinking of:

Case: SilverStone LC-14BM
Power supply: ???
Mobo: Intel DG965WH
Processor:Intel® Core™2 Duo E6600
Processor Cooler: ???
RAM: Kingston 1 GB KVR800D2N5/1G
DVB-C tuner: TwinhanDTV Ter-CI (3030 Mantis)
DVB-S tuner: TwinhanDTV Sat-CI (1034 Mantis)
HDD: Some quite PATA or SATA or SATA2
DVD: Some DVD-ROM
CI Cryptoworks Modul: ???
WLAN PCI: ???
Keyboard: ???
Operating System: Windows Vista

I have a sattelite dish Kathrein BAS 62 and I am planning to by a DiSEqC-compatible motor. Also I would like to receive a digital cable signal.

My TV set is a HD-Ready LCD TV from Samsung (sorry I don't know the model) with VGA and component connectors.

My AV-Receiver is Onkyo 674E

So, what do you think? Does anybody have some experience with those components?

[NLS]

my only comment is why use VGA or component and not (much better) DVI

[smnnekho]

Originally Posted by NLS

my only comment is why use VGA or component and not (much better) DVI

Samsungs usually arent capable of 1:1 pixelmapping on HDMI (and neither on DVI-->HDMI). that means its at least not easy (if not totally impossible) to get a nonoverscanned and clear pc-picture on its display except with VGA.

besides... i cant see why DVI(or HDMI) is much better than VGA? tell you that: not seeing any difference in fact.

the only thing is the HDCP support (imho)

[evgeninikolo]

Originally Posted by NLS

my only comment is why use VGA or component and not (much better) DVI

Well, to be ohnest that was also my concern - wether VGA is better or worser than HDMI/DVI.

I decided to use VGA because the mother board that I have chosen does not have DVI and to my oppinion the onboard video controller is good enough. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

[NLS]

I saw major change when I switched from VGA to DVI.

In fact I see it everyday with my other two (ie. not the HTPC) computers since I use two monitors that are connected to DVI on one and DVI on the other and again on VGA on both (Why not use one monitor for each computer? Well my second monitor is really a spare I might even remove in the future and after all I have a single keyboard/mouse and switch anyway). Believe me there is a clear difference between VGA and DVI display (it is clear when you switch maybe ten times a day between VGA/DVI on the same monitor).

Ah and add to that, that the system (well the Gfx card) skips a whole digital to analog step and even performs faster (I have seen this beyond doubt back when I had a far less powerful system - the switch to DVI... made it display faster, was really obvious in HD playback).

...but yes I understand your pixel mapping problem, which is much more important (if the pixels don't fit the panel the effect is much worse than the difference between VGA and DVI). Thankfully I didn't have that problem (I took care to get a nice 1920x1080 progressive, 1:1 pixel mapped HDMI TV).

[NLS]

Originally Posted by evgeninikolo

Well, to be ohnest that was also my concern - wether VGA is better or worser than HDMI/DVI.

I decided to use VGA because the mother board that I have chosen does not have DVI and to my oppinion the onboard video controller is good enough. Please correct me if I'm wrong.

It is not bad, but DVI is better and a nice PCIe fanless card won't hurt.