Ongoing changed my htpc project (1 Viewer)

[knutinh]

Since Silverstones lc11m proved impossible to find here in norway (reportedly, they are out of production??), and worries of heat/noise, I switched to another setup. By moving components between my current p4 desktop and a order for new components, I will end up with the following systems:

HTPC:
Silverstone lc16m
Asus p4p800-e dlx
Intel P4 s478 2.8GHz
thermalright XP120
PAPST 120mm 16.5 dB
2x512MB ddr-ram
Samsung p80 120GB
NEC dvd-writer
NorthQ PSU
MSI geforce 6600GT passive cooled AGP
Saphire thetrix ATI 550 analog tv/radio tuner
terratec T2 usb DVB-T tuner
Asus 802.11g usb network
M-audio audiophile 2496

Office PC:
Chieftec BX04
AMD A64 3000+ Venice
Asus nforce4 ultra mobo
zalman cnps 7000b Cu
zalman northbridge passive cooler
2x 512MB ddr ram
Samsung p80 120GB system disk
Samsung p120 250GB media disk
NorthQ PSU
Asus PCI-ex geforce 6600 passive cooled

Hopefully everything will work out. I have MP working ok now with dual tv tuners and the saphire remote. Hopefully, I will work out something with the iMon VFD + remote in the Silverstone. I have read that it is not capable of controlling any other components, and learning remotes cannot control it.

best regards
Knut Inge

 

[Smirnuff]

Hi -

Have you got anything good to say about the 2496? I've been on the verge of buying one for a while.

Also does the OS see this as two distinct cards (all the mention of 2x in the product spec)?

Cheers,
Smirnuff.

 

[knutinh]

I have put together my HTPC now.

GENERAL THOUGHTS:
The case is very sober and symmetric to me.

*VFD display controled by MP
*iMon PAD remote controlling MP
*OK picture using my Sony 29" 100Hz crt (better using my 20" Dell lcd)
*Kan playback HD clips mpeg2/wmv-hd using nvidia purevideo (but is of course limited to the SD resolution of my tv...)
*Digital (dvb-t) and analog tv-tuner function
*running RealVNC server so management can be done from my bedroom office-pc featuring mouse/keyboard and higher resolution

ISSUES/TO-BE-DONE:
*The VFD display is a bit small-ish, considering the big opening in the case. Gets difficult to read at 4m. Bright, thou,
*The remote is cumbersome for keyboard-arrow functions.
*stuttering for analog/digital tv from time to time, not when playing back video files. Changing channels fix the problem. Think it must be a de-interlac/codec problem.
*suspend-to-ram/S3 isnt working properly yet. Want to have 2-second start-up/"power down". Its working from the front panel power button, but the remote seems to force hard power off. Further, the mobo is blinking when in suspended. Not what I want ;-)
*MP bug means that VFD keeps the last display when MP/PC is powered down. Slightly annoying. Norwegian letters arent working either. Plugin error or display limitation?

SETUP:
Media portal
MP Version: 0.1.3.0
Skin: default
Windows Version: XP professional SP2
CPU Type: intel Northwood 2.8 HT
Memory: 1GB dual channel ddr
Motherboard : Asus p4p800-e dlx
Motherboard Chipset: intel 865
Video Card: Gigabyte nvidia geforce 6600GT passive
Video Card Driver: 81.85
Video Card Resolution: 1680 x 1050 @60p (monitor) / 576 x 720 @50i (nvidia custom timings) (tv)
Video Render Type: VMR9 renderless
Video Codec Type & Version: Nvidia purevideo 1.02.177
Audio Card : m-audio audiophile 2496 (digital coax out)
Audio Codec Type & Version: unshure
TV Card1: Terratec T^2
TV Card1 Type: DVB-T
TV Card1 Driver: Beta BDA 2.1.0.10
TV Card2: Saphire theatrix 550 pro
TV Card2 Type: analog PAL cable, hardware MPEG2
TV Card2 Driver: ATI Theater 550 Pro TV Tuner Drivers - 6.14.10.102
PSU: NorthQ 140mm fan
CPU fan: XP120 @ ~5V=890rpm
System fan : 2x80mm @ 5V(1000rpm) / variable
Disk: Seagate p80 160GB (system) + p120 250GB (media)
network: Asus usb 2.0 802.11g adapter
Using Silverstone lc 16m-s with iMon VFD and iMon PAD remotecontrol.

HEAT/NOISECONTROL:
I did some small changes with major improvements:
*turned PSU so that it draw hot air from the case (temp mounted with adhesive tape for now, as screw holes are off). Weird design by Silverstone.
*mounted one HD in each lower front corner. Heat goes up.
*Connected one 80mm system fan to molex +5V (~1000 rpm)
*Connected the other 80mm fan to CPU fan out of mobo, as this is the only software controlled channel of my Asus p4p800. Speedfan is running the show, trying to keep CPU temp at 50C, all other temps at 40C only by adjusting speed of this one fan (starts at 40%, runs down tol 30%)


The result is a 50% decrease in HD temps! CPU and system is decreased by at least 10 degrees, and at the same time the system noise went from noisy to audible I think with a little tweaking and more fan channels software controlled that I could have a near passive cooled system apart from the 140mm PSU fan.

regards
Knut Inge

LINKS:
http://mediaportal.sourceforge.net/
http://www.nvnews.net/vbulletin/
http://www.tv-cards.com/
http://www.htpcnews.com/
http://www.avforum.no/
http://www.avsforum.com/

 

[knutinh]

the 2496 is working very well. I dont know what you mean by 2 different cards, but it offers a hardware mixer that is accessed by several "virtual" cards. Most usefull for pro use I think.

Stable drivers, good sound.

regards
Knut Inge