Canada
Hi all,
My theatre room has my HTPC where I'm running TVServer/MP, I will eventually be moving TVServer to a standalone server doing TVserver, filesharing, on a RAID0+1 array. However, in a few weeks I'll be moving my wife's 50" SXRD A3000 to our upstairs. So I'm trying to build a future "friendly" (they're never futureproof) HTPC for streaming TV, Movies, etc using Mediaportal to out to my 1080p SXRD upstairs.
My requirements:
1. Cheap as possible <$300
2. Reasonably quiet
3. As little power consumption as possible
4. 1080p output via HDMI
5. multichannel LPCM via HDMI (for Blu-ray when drives get below $100)
Current parts I've specced out:
Mobo: Asus M3N78-EMH HDMI (Nvidia 8200 chipset) - ~$100
Case: In-Win BL640 (Not out yet in NA may have to settle on BL631) - ~$55
CPU: AMD BE-2400 (2.3Ghz dual core 45W low power CPU) ~$100
RAM: 1GB DDR2-6400 generic ~30
HD: Have something lying around. Don't need large or fast drive since most activity will be over network
DVD Drive: Again, recycle a drive for DVD playback.
Total: ~$285
For Blu-ray, just need to throw in a LG Blu-ray drive but I have one in my main HTPC downstairs so it's not needed. TBH, I'd probably just rip Blu-ray to my server and stream it. Using a gigabit Wireless N WRT350N, was originally going to use N on this HTPC but cost for N adapter is not worth it, rather run the cable which is actually not too bad since it's along the same wall. My major concerns with this setup is whether the Mobo will boot on the PSU that comes with the BL640 case. Someone mentioned that their board didn't boot on a Seasonic S12 II 330. Was considering a Sempron Dual Core 2300+, but it looks like it won't be as power efficient and doesn't seem to be much cheaper. I think by the end of April you may be able to get away with ~$250 for the above setup using a Sempron dual core once prices settle.
I'd love to run diskless for heat/noise/geekiness purposes and I've been researching ATA over Ethernet. Unfortunately, there are no AoE targets for Windows and my server needs to be Windows for TVserver. I could run another server, however I don't want another server sucking electricity running all day, one's more than enough. Plan to run XPsp2 using nlite to strip unnecessary stuff out. So right now, I'm just waiting for the mobo and case to be released. According to prelim tests the above hardware should be able to play Blu-Ray/ H.264 1080p material without issues. I have no illusions that this will work properly day 1, but by the time I need these features I'm hoping the drivers/codecs mature enough to at least match what the prelim tests have shown.
My theatre room has my HTPC where I'm running TVServer/MP, I will eventually be moving TVServer to a standalone server doing TVserver, filesharing, on a RAID0+1 array. However, in a few weeks I'll be moving my wife's 50" SXRD A3000 to our upstairs. So I'm trying to build a future "friendly" (they're never futureproof) HTPC for streaming TV, Movies, etc using Mediaportal to out to my 1080p SXRD upstairs.
My requirements:
1. Cheap as possible <$300
2. Reasonably quiet
3. As little power consumption as possible
4. 1080p output via HDMI
5. multichannel LPCM via HDMI (for Blu-ray when drives get below $100)
Current parts I've specced out:
Mobo: Asus M3N78-EMH HDMI (Nvidia 8200 chipset) - ~$100
Case: In-Win BL640 (Not out yet in NA may have to settle on BL631) - ~$55
CPU: AMD BE-2400 (2.3Ghz dual core 45W low power CPU) ~$100
RAM: 1GB DDR2-6400 generic ~30
HD: Have something lying around. Don't need large or fast drive since most activity will be over network
DVD Drive: Again, recycle a drive for DVD playback.
Total: ~$285
For Blu-ray, just need to throw in a LG Blu-ray drive but I have one in my main HTPC downstairs so it's not needed. TBH, I'd probably just rip Blu-ray to my server and stream it. Using a gigabit Wireless N WRT350N, was originally going to use N on this HTPC but cost for N adapter is not worth it, rather run the cable which is actually not too bad since it's along the same wall. My major concerns with this setup is whether the Mobo will boot on the PSU that comes with the BL640 case. Someone mentioned that their board didn't boot on a Seasonic S12 II 330. Was considering a Sempron Dual Core 2300+, but it looks like it won't be as power efficient and doesn't seem to be much cheaper. I think by the end of April you may be able to get away with ~$250 for the above setup using a Sempron dual core once prices settle.
I'd love to run diskless for heat/noise/geekiness purposes and I've been researching ATA over Ethernet. Unfortunately, there are no AoE targets for Windows and my server needs to be Windows for TVserver. I could run another server, however I don't want another server sucking electricity running all day, one's more than enough. Plan to run XPsp2 using nlite to strip unnecessary stuff out. So right now, I'm just waiting for the mobo and case to be released. According to prelim tests the above hardware should be able to play Blu-Ray/ H.264 1080p material without issues. I have no illusions that this will work properly day 1, but by the time I need these features I'm hoping the drivers/codecs mature enough to at least match what the prelim tests have shown.
