Completed HTPC on a shoe-string (1 Viewer)

[Big_Kev]

Hi,

I have recently completed my home theatre setup on a shoe-string budget.

If you keep your eyes open, you can build an acceptable system for very little money.

HTPC:
Dell small format desktop PC - very quiet!
1.7 MHz P4 Processor.
Nvida GForce 7300 graphics card
750mb RAM
120gb IDE Hard Drive.
Compro Hybrid TV Card

This is a low-spec PC, but it runs MP just fine!
Costs:
PC - free - obsolete from work
RAM - free - scrounged from dead G5 MAC
Video Card - $75.00
TV Card - $99.00

HTPC is connected to an EPSON projector and an LCD touch screen - dual display.
Touch screen allows easy operation of the system when you are just playing CDs and dont need the projector - it is also great for controlling the system when the projector is on!
Cost:
Projector - $1750.00
Touch Screen - free - from work - left over from system upgrade.

Sound is via a ROTEL 960 processor and separate 5 Channel Amp.
Subwoofer is a logitech from a surround system (not sure of model - but not a bad unit).
This gets a little complicated, as the subwoofer was disgarded by logitech as not repairable - and the cables were cut etc. The built in amp had died. So I did the rounds of garage sales and fond a small samsung amp with remote for $5.00 that now drives the subwoofer just fine.
Cost:
ROTEL - free - a friend upgraded to a more modern unit. He did not like the complicated operation of the ROTEL - but this did not worry me, as the PC takes care of all the switching functions etc.
Subwoofer - free - from a friend of a friend.
Amp - $5.00

All speakers came from garage sales - it is absolutely amazing what you can find if you are patient and prepared to do the rounds. I found speakers worth hundreds of dollars for just $30.00 total. I ended up with about 10 speakers, and I played arround until I found the best combination of 5.

Projector screen - who says you will never find a 2 metre wide projector screen on council cleanup day! - well actually it was a holland blind 2.2 metres x 1.8 metres drop. I painted it all over with metallic silver spray paint for opacity and gave it a light coat of high quality satin acrylic white paint using a roller to give a tiny bit of texture and let the silver reflect ever so slightly... All up I spent about $40.00 including brackets.

Finally - and most importantly - the Logitech Harmony 520 remote control.
This allows me to have full control of the whole system, with one touch selection to turn on all devices etc. I use Compro2Hip and Hip software to allow full control of MediaPortal via the IR receiver on the Compro card.
Cost - $145.00
Remote Control Relay - $99.00

Total Cost $2213.00 plus time!!!

It is amazing what you can do if you are patient and keep your eyes open.

 

[walkerx]

wow - you call that on a shoestring wish i had over a £1000 to build my own htpc system - mine cost me about £120

2GB Ram - £60
CPU - ripped from older machine (amd 3500+)
HVR1300 - ripped from main pc as not fully supported under vista 64
250GB HDD - ripped from main pc (was spare drive for media)
DVDRW - ripped from main pc (was secondary drive)
Mobo - free (due to a bodge-up at a store i got it from)
Case - £30 (should have been £40 but bought through GC offer)
MCE Remote - £18 - only got this as ir-cable for HVR1300 was damaged
CPU Cooler - £15 - as wanted one that was quiet otherwise would have used one from the 3500+

If purchase anything else then it will be a soundcard for about £50

 

[Big_Kev]

wow - you call that on a shoestring wish i had over a £1000 to build my own htpc system - mine cost me about £120

2GB Ram - £60
CPU - ripped from older machine (amd 3500+)
HVR1300 - ripped from main pc as not fully supported under vista 64
250GB HDD - ripped from main pc (was spare drive for media)
DVDRW - ripped from main pc (was secondary drive)
Mobo - free (due to a bodge-up at a store i got it from)
Case - £30 (should have been £40 but bought through GC offer)
MCE Remote - £18 - only got this as ir-cable for HVR1300 was damaged
CPU Cooler - £15 - as wanted one that was quiet otherwise would have used one from the 3500+

If purchase anything else then it will be a soundcard for about £50

Aussie dollars = £935, but I certainly take your point!

I guess it is all relative... I have often been told that to have a system with a projector on a 100 inch screen with full 100watt per channel THX certified surround sound all linked to one remote usually would cost over $10,000.

As you have shown, home theatre does not need to be expensive. There is plenty of good hardware to be found that is ideal for a dedicated HTPC.

My biggest expense was the projector - $1750.00. Still much better value than a large LCD or Plasma (and MUCH bigger picture). But projectors don't suit everyone's situation.

I suppose I am trying to say that with a little imagination - and not always listening to people telling you what you can't do - home theatre does not have to be mind blowingly expensive! And its a whole lot of fun too.

Regards
Kev

 

[walkerx]

I agree has been fun building my htpc - people couldn't believe how much i spent, but yes if had bit more cash then I myself would go for better kit which would cost more money, and would reach around £2000+ mark

but the wife would go potty if i spent that kind of money now...

it's hard enough me trying to persuade her that we need a hdtv with hdmi inputs