MSI Media Live based

[carthol]

I am thinking of building a HTPC starting with a Barebones from MSI. Specifically the Media Live box : http://www.msicomputer.com/product/p...Live&class=npc

I'm considering putting a AMD Athlon 64 x2 4400+, with Corsair XMS2 2x1GB 800MHz (or whatever decent ram is on sale the week I buy it), and a Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1600 for the input solution. I think that card will allow me to use Media Portal with a clear QAM Digital HD Cable signal.

It will be running Windows XP SP2.

Has anyone ever done a setup like this? Or any suggestions? I'm fairly new to this but as far as I can tell this should work, and should cost less than $500.

Thanks!

P.S. The WinTV box has a IR Blaster on it...anyone ever used it before? Is it fairly easy to setup with MediaPortal?

[Krazz]

Have you built a lot of computers in your days? I have built a few HTPC's now (I build custom computers as a job) and I just want to warn you that it isn't easy building computer in a chassi like that one (low form factor) and get it to be silent at the same time as you want that kind of power (CPU, RAM, GFX).

Further more, I don't think that the PSU included in that case will handle a X2 4400+ for a long period of time. My choice would be a Intel Core Duo (socket 479).

If you decide to go on with your project, I'd gladly help you with ideas or what not. Please post as many pictures and links as you can.

[carthol]

Thanks for the help.

I actually have built many computers (maybe 30 or 40 total). I was thinking that using that case would be a stretch, but it does include a full size PCI slot, so that made it decent. Also, I figured since the processor was only 65W it should be ok with the PSU. Also, since I'm using the onboard graphics that won't be a drain on the power.

Although, this is my first HTPC project, so I can't say I'm experienced on that topic. I only picked that case because it was cheap, small (and apears to be low noise). Do you have a suggestion for something like this that would be better? I've read through most of the fourms, but I haven't found any cheap boxes that I like.

My biggest problem is that I am just now learning about the TV transmission standards and how it all works. It seems that it is much easier to get this stuff to work everywhere in the world execpt in the US. I am using Qwest Digital Cable, and I would like this HTPC to replace the STB that came with the system. Any suggestions on how to do that? As far as I can tell it is just impossible unless I get lucky and all of their HD stations (and SD I suppose) are transmitted in the clear.

Maybe to get started I should just get a USB TV box allong with a IR Blaster or something? (Currently, I only have a laptop, so I have to build the whole system to use a PCI solution. The box I have in mind: http://www.aver.com/mpd/hybrid_ultra...e_feature.html. If I won't be able to eliminate my STB then this might be the only way I can go. This way I could use the Component Video to get the signal allong with Optical Audio into my laptop. Is that a better way of doing it?

[Krazz]

I don't know your potential when it comes to what you can do with the case (box). But it will be very tricky to get a regular X2 4400+ CPU working quietly in that case (my opinion). The problem with it, as I see it, is that the case is too low. This will make it hard to get a cpu cooler in there that can do the job as well as stay quiet.

Regarding the tv-transmissions in the US I can't help you. Sorry!