Hi,
In January 2008 I finished building my first HTPC.
Before that I was using an XBOX, with XBMC (Soft modded) to watch movies and series.
But this XBOX is not capable of playing (real) Full HD
I had set myself the following goals for the HTPC.
- Able to play Full HD (till p1080) on my FLatTV.
- Silent (goes for all components), because it will be placed in living room
- HTPC software supporting NL language.
- Upgradeable if the future.
- Able to receive Radio + Television via analog cable (something the XBOX also cannot do)
- Able to burn DVD dual (HD or Blue ray is to expensive right now)
- Able to connect with internet
- 7.1 audio output possibilities
- Casing should fit with current style of other audio compononts (Black case/blue display, wireless keyboard)
- Costs 600,- euro or less.
After studing/reading (for about 2 weeks) different formus and websites about (building) HTPC's,
I figured out the Hardware and Software, within my goals.
Hardware
Case: Antec Fusion Black (430 W)
Motherboard: MSI, K9AGM2-FIH (HD video/audio/internet integrated)
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2,BE-2350, Socket AM2, Boxed
Cooling: Scythe Ninja Mini
Memory: Kingston KVR800D2N5K2/2G, 2048 MB, DDR2, PC6400, 800 MHz, 2 x
Harddisk: Samsung Spinpoint T166, 320 GB, 7200 RPM, 16 MB, SATA II
CD/DVD player: Samsung SH-S203B,OEM, Black, Serial ATA150
TV/Radio: Asus My Cinema-P7131
Keyboard: Logitech diNovo Edge, Black, Silver, Retail
Display: Philips, Flat TV, 32PF7411
Software
OS: Windows XP
Media software: MediaPortal 1
Codex: I used what was delivered with software
All components I ordered via internet, and were delivered within 0ne week at my home.
Except for the Case, It appeared to be out of production and replaced by the Antec Fusion V2.0.
Which is only available in Black/silver and did not comply with my other audio component style.
After searching and calling arround to some shops I found one last Antec Fusion black (old model),
Which I had to pick up, but I got it (within my price range).
Building up took about 4 hours. The only problem I ran into was with the power supply of the case.
It comes with only one S-ata power connection, and I needed 2 (HD + CD/DVD player)
Luckily I was having a converter laying around that came with some old Highpoint s-ata controller I bought a few years ago.
I added a few pictures, from:
- The build up
- First test enviorment
- Placing in living room (this is not at my home, because I am residing somewhere else for my work till end of august 08)
Some results after using it for a month now.
- HD and Audio works great, however running full p1080 shows some interlacing lines, when there is lots of action/movement on the screen
- Extremely quiet (just do not here it, even with the default system fans inside)
- Temperature stay's below 30 degrees Celsius all the time.
- Display of Case is notworking correcly, it seems that my TV remote is interfering with my IR reicever in case then the display goes on tilt, have not been able to solve this.
MediaPortal experiance
- The TV series plugin works great, this really shows great
- The TV/Radio card is badly supported, it runs, but I do not get the quality as with the original software
- Photo's show slowely (but this can be because I am using a hardwired network drive, WD mybook which is not fast, currently I am looking to see if I can tweak that drive)
- Currently I cannot play directly from .ISO files (which I can via XBOX), I saw there is something in the config with deamon tools, but I need to try.
I am thinking about upgrading to Mediaportal II, but I am not sure if this is smart.
Please let me know what you think of my system.
(Update 09 AUG 08)
Finnaly I moved back to NL and was able to install my HTPC at it's designated position, at home.
See the new pictures below.
I also reinstalled the PC, it is still in eperimental phase, in october 2008 there is a Full HD (LCD) beamer planned.
In January 2008 I finished building my first HTPC.
Before that I was using an XBOX, with XBMC (Soft modded) to watch movies and series.
But this XBOX is not capable of playing (real) Full HD
I had set myself the following goals for the HTPC.
- Able to play Full HD (till p1080) on my FLatTV.
- Silent (goes for all components), because it will be placed in living room
- HTPC software supporting NL language.
- Upgradeable if the future.
- Able to receive Radio + Television via analog cable (something the XBOX also cannot do)
- Able to burn DVD dual (HD or Blue ray is to expensive right now)
- Able to connect with internet
- 7.1 audio output possibilities
- Casing should fit with current style of other audio compononts (Black case/blue display, wireless keyboard)
- Costs 600,- euro or less.
After studing/reading (for about 2 weeks) different formus and websites about (building) HTPC's,
I figured out the Hardware and Software, within my goals.
Hardware
Case: Antec Fusion Black (430 W)
Motherboard: MSI, K9AGM2-FIH (HD video/audio/internet integrated)
CPU: AMD Athlon 64 X2,BE-2350, Socket AM2, Boxed
Cooling: Scythe Ninja Mini
Memory: Kingston KVR800D2N5K2/2G, 2048 MB, DDR2, PC6400, 800 MHz, 2 x
Harddisk: Samsung Spinpoint T166, 320 GB, 7200 RPM, 16 MB, SATA II
CD/DVD player: Samsung SH-S203B,OEM, Black, Serial ATA150
TV/Radio: Asus My Cinema-P7131
Keyboard: Logitech diNovo Edge, Black, Silver, Retail
Display: Philips, Flat TV, 32PF7411
Software
OS: Windows XP
Media software: MediaPortal 1
Codex: I used what was delivered with software
All components I ordered via internet, and were delivered within 0ne week at my home.
Except for the Case, It appeared to be out of production and replaced by the Antec Fusion V2.0.
Which is only available in Black/silver and did not comply with my other audio component style.
After searching and calling arround to some shops I found one last Antec Fusion black (old model),
Which I had to pick up, but I got it (within my price range).
Building up took about 4 hours. The only problem I ran into was with the power supply of the case.
It comes with only one S-ata power connection, and I needed 2 (HD + CD/DVD player)
Luckily I was having a converter laying around that came with some old Highpoint s-ata controller I bought a few years ago.
I added a few pictures, from:
- The build up
- First test enviorment
- Placing in living room (this is not at my home, because I am residing somewhere else for my work till end of august 08)
Some results after using it for a month now.
- HD and Audio works great, however running full p1080 shows some interlacing lines, when there is lots of action/movement on the screen
- Extremely quiet (just do not here it, even with the default system fans inside)
- Temperature stay's below 30 degrees Celsius all the time.
- Display of Case is notworking correcly, it seems that my TV remote is interfering with my IR reicever in case then the display goes on tilt, have not been able to solve this.
MediaPortal experiance
- The TV series plugin works great, this really shows great
- The TV/Radio card is badly supported, it runs, but I do not get the quality as with the original software
- Photo's show slowely (but this can be because I am using a hardwired network drive, WD mybook which is not fast, currently I am looking to see if I can tweak that drive)
- Currently I cannot play directly from .ISO files (which I can via XBOX), I saw there is something in the config with deamon tools, but I need to try.
I am thinking about upgrading to Mediaportal II, but I am not sure if this is smart.
Please let me know what you think of my system.
(Update 09 AUG 08)
Finnaly I moved back to NL and was able to install my HTPC at it's designated position, at home.
See the new pictures below.
I also reinstalled the PC, it is still in eperimental phase, in october 2008 there is a Full HD (LCD) beamer planned.
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