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<blockquote data-quote="Tancor" data-source="post: 349788" data-attributes="member: 83237"><p>Hi all,</p><p></p><p>I'm contemplating updating my HTPC. I currently have a:</p><p></p><p>HP Z556:</p><p>3.0 GHz P4 630 w/ HT</p><p>Intel 915P Chipset</p><p>NVidia GeForce 6600 w/ 128m ddr PCI-E x16</p><p>512m ram, max 2gig</p><p>2x NTSC Tuners</p><p>1x ATSC tuner</p><p>Intel HD Audio 7.1 Surround Sound w/ 5.1 out S/PDIF, 7.1 preamp out</p><p>250gb 150 serial ata</p><p>DVD SuperMulti drive</p><p></p><p>I currently don't use the tuners, I'm in a bit of a valley so ATSC is a waste for me, and I'm having a tinsy bit of trouble getting it to IRblast out the channels for Dish network.</p><p></p><p></p><p>I'm contemplating one of 4 options:</p><p></p><p>1) Keeping what I have as it's "good enough" although the fan is a bit loud at times.</p><p></p><p>2) Custom build a HTPC - not sure of configuration I'd want, but probably either a multi core system w/ ATI HD series video card, 2gigs of ram, etc. price based upon components</p><p></p><p>3) Buy a HP Z560 - an upgrade of the Z556, Pentium D 3 GHz (dual core), HDMI output, 300gig 300 Serial ata, nvidia 7600 256mb, 1gig ram (max 4), same quantity of tuners - supposedely quieter then the 556 ~$750</p><p></p><p>4) Sony Vaio VGX-XL2 - Pentium D 2.8Ghz (dual core), HDMI output, 320gig (via 2x 160gig satas in raid 0, 1 extra bay for another hd), 1gig ram, nvidia 6600 128m ram, 1xntsc, 1xatsc tuner - supposedly extremely quiet operation. ~$350</p><p></p><p>I had considered the MSI media live, but I've heard about problems with the power supply and that the included cpu cooler sucks.</p><p></p><p>What's important to me:</p><p></p><p>HDMI connection for both audio and video (which is a problem with my Z556, I can get a DVI to HDMI cable, but still stuck with seperate audio)</p><p>Quality playback of video files, including HD video files</p><p>Bluray in the future would be nice (possibly via external drive), but not mission critical as I do have a PS3 I can use to play bluray discs.</p><p>Noise level of the unit (my current unit gets kinda noisy under heavy load - although as I am getting a new tv stand which is much more open, that noise level might be reduced due to better air flow)</p><p>System Stability and compatibility with MP (the 556 (and assuming the 560 as well) is fairly compatible with MP - the only things I've had trouble with have been the irblaster and the VFD on the front)</p><p></p><p>Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Honestly, it may be just silly of me to consider changing out what is currently working. All systems at this point would either be XP MCE2005 or XP Pro.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Tancor, post: 349788, member: 83237"] Hi all, I'm contemplating updating my HTPC. I currently have a: HP Z556: 3.0 GHz P4 630 w/ HT Intel 915P Chipset NVidia GeForce 6600 w/ 128m ddr PCI-E x16 512m ram, max 2gig 2x NTSC Tuners 1x ATSC tuner Intel HD Audio 7.1 Surround Sound w/ 5.1 out S/PDIF, 7.1 preamp out 250gb 150 serial ata DVD SuperMulti drive I currently don't use the tuners, I'm in a bit of a valley so ATSC is a waste for me, and I'm having a tinsy bit of trouble getting it to IRblast out the channels for Dish network. I'm contemplating one of 4 options: 1) Keeping what I have as it's "good enough" although the fan is a bit loud at times. 2) Custom build a HTPC - not sure of configuration I'd want, but probably either a multi core system w/ ATI HD series video card, 2gigs of ram, etc. price based upon components 3) Buy a HP Z560 - an upgrade of the Z556, Pentium D 3 GHz (dual core), HDMI output, 300gig 300 Serial ata, nvidia 7600 256mb, 1gig ram (max 4), same quantity of tuners - supposedely quieter then the 556 ~$750 4) Sony Vaio VGX-XL2 - Pentium D 2.8Ghz (dual core), HDMI output, 320gig (via 2x 160gig satas in raid 0, 1 extra bay for another hd), 1gig ram, nvidia 6600 128m ram, 1xntsc, 1xatsc tuner - supposedly extremely quiet operation. ~$350 I had considered the MSI media live, but I've heard about problems with the power supply and that the included cpu cooler sucks. What's important to me: HDMI connection for both audio and video (which is a problem with my Z556, I can get a DVI to HDMI cable, but still stuck with seperate audio) Quality playback of video files, including HD video files Bluray in the future would be nice (possibly via external drive), but not mission critical as I do have a PS3 I can use to play bluray discs. Noise level of the unit (my current unit gets kinda noisy under heavy load - although as I am getting a new tv stand which is much more open, that noise level might be reduced due to better air flow) System Stability and compatibility with MP (the 556 (and assuming the 560 as well) is fairly compatible with MP - the only things I've had trouble with have been the irblaster and the VFD on the front) Any suggestions would be most appreciated. Honestly, it may be just silly of me to consider changing out what is currently working. All systems at this point would either be XP MCE2005 or XP Pro. [/QUOTE]
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