Computer People (? about media centre)

[TheProfessor]

I think I want to build a media centre PC to integrate into my home theatre system. I find myself constantly hooking up my laptop to view pictures, listen to music, and watch downloaded TV shows. Moreover, my laptop doesn't have a DVD burner and I want one, so I thought that maybe this would be a good time to tackle this project. Here's the problem, I know nothing about computers. Can a system like this be built slowly over time so as to help ease the financial burden? I want to stress that this would not be used for gaming at all. Just regular e-mail/internet and media type stuff.

Any input would be greatly appreciated.

[DrunknFoo]

If it's a media center driven system the parts required would cost moderately low. You do not need a state of the art video or sound card. For processing power I would recommend anything around 1.8Ghz-2.0Ghz, 512mb of Ram, and any standard dvd burner. The case in question should be for purely cosmetic to go with your entertainment unit. You would however, want to invest in a very large harddrive say 400-500GB to store your media files.

If you're planning to purchase parts brand new, you'll see a starting price of around $550-600

[majic]

the MAIN point of a HTPC is SILENCE!!!

so you should expect to pay some premiums (very minimal) on the quieter components like LOW voltage CPUs and sacrifice a bit of performance with items like passive cooled video cards..

[TheProfessor]

Okay, great info so far. Any good websites I can go to for learning more and how to build one? Are there any decently priced pre-made units?

[Kevin@nextmod]

I know you're looking for a media centre with dvd writer and internet capability. I saw this yesterday at CC and it seems pretty cool and nice and compact.
http://canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=010938&cid=516

Also there is a higher model but cost more.
http://canadacomputers.com/index.php?do=ShowProduct&cmd=pd&pid=011616&cid=516

I'd pick it up for my room if it reads RMVB but too bad it doesn't.

[DrunknFoo]

You can always down/under clock your voltage and cpu clock to allow less heat and power consumption (similar to power saving options in laptops), resulting in a low fan RPM or even a fanless solution.
So say 2.0ghz cpu runs at 1.3volts, you can declock it down to say 1.6 at 1.0 for a quiet solution. You don't need processing power to run a devoted media center pc

Check out
http://www.diy-street.com/forum/forumdisplay.php?f=83
DiY street (formally DFIStreet) Forum for general info

[majic]

not sure what your budget is but if i were to put one together today i'd get:

case: http://www.silverstonetek.com/products-lc17C.htm

looks professional.. enough space inside and should fit with your other devices by the tv

http://www.silverstonetek.com/products/lc17/34-view/LC17.jpg

PSU: Seasonic S12-380 http://www.seasonic.com/pdf/datasheet/01PC/S12.pdf

I'd get the M12 but they don't make them lower than 500W or 600W.. out of the PSUs out there this one is QUIET, EFFICIENT and stable.. the only other i'd consider today is OCZ as their PSUs are rebranded Seasonics ;)

mobo: ASUS M2N32-SLI Deluxe.. of course you can go lower end.. but this gives you plenty of SATA ports and expandability.. get the wireless edition and you can forego all the cables :)

CPU: AMD X2 low voltage cpu
http://www.amdcompare.com/us-en/desktop/

i have a 65W one and at idle it's 18-19C!!!!!!!!!! at full blast it's 31C!!! find one that fits your budget as any of those will do!

http://xs413.xs.to/xs413/07101/x2_lowV.png

RAM: OCZ2P800R22GK - a bit of an overkill :)

I'm an OCZ fanboy.. if you don't want uber duper high end expensive platinum series.. go with gold.. silver or even the value line.. but good ram is important and often overlooked! probably 2x512 is the minimum these days

HDD: Western Digital WD5000KS

i've had a problem with 2 drives (and my dad and i have gone through probably 20+ together over the years) but they must have come from a bad batch and they were replaced.. get 2 of these from 2 different sources and do nightly backups from one to the other and you'll be safe..

whatever drive you get look out for their dB ratings and make sure they use FDB (Fluid dynamic bearings) or similar technologies..

VIDEO: geforce 7600GS

just find one that is passively cooled - massive heatsink - and that has the necessary video outs and you're set.. it'll let you play a few games too :)

BURNER: ANY NEC or maybe this samsung SH-S182M http://www.samsung.com/Products/OpticalDiscDrive/DVDWriter/OpticalDiscDrive_DVDWriter_SH_S182M.asp

but you shoudl be able to get the necs pretty cheap and it's worked MUCH better for me (3520A) than a lightscribe benq (1625) i think

hope this helps :)

[TheProfessor]

That does help, thanks! Truthfully I want to keep costs down as this is just isn't a necessity for me right now. It's more of a convenience thing. I want to be able to make, ahem, back up copies of Wii games and movies so the burner is crucial. I don't even care if I don't get a sound card right away as I'm willing to continue using my MP3 player or computer for the source. So basically I just want to begin with a basic computer and begin adding the components necessary to turn it into a full fledged media pc down the road. Does that make sense?

[EvilEric]

Sound and power/heat shouldn't end up being too much of an issue for you.

Notice is generated by fans. Clean yours and replace it when it gets noisy and you won't have any problems.

what I have seen people do before is use removeable drives in external boxes to store media. That way you can easily transfer material from your main computer to the "media center".

[DrunknFoo]

Majic, that's overkill for a media center. =D But if his intentions are to play games on it then it would be fine.

Also, you might want to consider a hot swap harddisk option to store your backed up movies on

I would recommend Seagate or Fujitsu if you order online for a harddrive, both are reliable and operate very quietly

[TheProfessor]

I recently purchased a LaCie 250GB external USB 2.0 hard drive, is there any way I can work that into the equation to help save money?

[majic]

Majic, that's overkill for a media center. =D But if his intentions are to play games on it then it would be fine.


well .. :)

i agree on mobo and ram.. that's why i gave alternatives.. it really depends on his budget.. he did say no gaming.. so half the ram and get a value line of mobo saving about 200 and 100 bux respectively.. the rest is in line with what he wants

i prefer to have a reliable HD (why all my stuff is mirrored).. the 500GB can be substituted for 320GB or 400GB since they are better for $/GB.. last thing you want to skimp out is a PSU.. case - it's all in the eye of the beholder in the end.. :D and video *IS* low end :)

[bubba1983]

media centre pc's FTW!!

all i need is a damn lcd tv, and im set!!!

hope you make this work well!1

[majic]

I recently purchased a LaCie 250GB external USB 2.0 hard drive, is there any way I can work that into the equation to help save money?

yes, buy a 40/80GB WDC hard drive so you can use it as your OS/programs disk and then the 250GB as the multimedia one.. trust me.. 250 ain't enough though.. 1.3TB here ;) and 95% full.. :bang

[TheProfessor]

I think it may very well be enough, my wife and I have survived on our 40GB for about four years now and we still have 6GB free. I only bought the external to back up our important files!

[sharky]

I use www.gbpvr.com - Excellent package and free!

Pick up a Hauppauge 150 and a MediaMVP and you have my system.

[TheProfessor]

I use www.gbpvr.com - Excellent package and free!

Pick up a Hauppauge 150 and a MediaMVP and you have my system.

Well I'm still trying to digest all of this info, but can you tell me where you got the above and roughly how much it cost?

Thanks in advance.

[sharky]

gbpvr is a free application - you can download it from the site. Works on win2000-xp (still in testing for vista).

To be able to record from sat/cable you need a capture card for your PC - I use the Hauppauge 150, but others exist. gbpvr forums will tell you what the compatible capture cards are.

http://www.ncix.com/search/?q=hauppauge&minprice=Min.+Price&maxprice=Max.+Price

Price is about $120 for the capture card (CDN). Make sure you choose the model with the IRblaster if you need to change a satellite tuner or digital cable box.

Once you have the PVR working you have to figure out how you want to do playback to your tv, or if you just want to playback to your PC. You can get a video card that can output to a TV and then use something like powerstrip to make it work properly - or you can do what I do and use a MediaMVP player ($120), and use this box to be the interface over your network between your PC and your TV.

Check out www.byopvr.com for more fun stuff

[majic]

i have a hauppage 150.. so don't go buy a new one!!! :D

[majic]

sage tv is another 'media center' style component that has been getting wicked reviews... (alternative to windows MCE)

[sharky]

oh ya - and buy a big hard drive!

[wtom]

hard drive - as large as you can afford!

[bluntman]

Why not buy a Mac Mini?

[TheProfessor]

Why not buy a Mac Mini?

You know, I was thinking about it only because it would match the Nintendo Wii, but I think they're out of my price range.

[bluntman]

$679 for the low-end Mini with a 60GB hard drive and no keyboard and mouse. Ouch! Nevermind.

[majic]

click (http://www.tigerdirect.ca/applications/searchtools/item-Details.asp?EdpNo=2902958&sku=P450-7896&CMP=EMC-EMAIL2006&SRCCODE=CANEM778)for a passively cooled vid card.. i don't like MIRs but that's a decent card..

OR you can get a much better ATI one (http://shopati.ca/product.asp?sku=3130802) (refurb tho).. this one might be a bit louder but the drivers should keep the fan noise to the minimum..

[TheProfessor]

I think I might be out of my league trying to put together a system myself. I'm going to have to do a ton of research first as I have no idea about any of this stuff. I think I'll definately do it, but it will take time so it's done right.

[majic]

what's the budget?

i think that is the #1 thing you need to establish.. second.. will you use it as a PVR or just mainly some playback/music/web surfing..

the latter option will be MUCH less expensive (less HD, less processing power, etc etc) shoot me an emaila nd i can price out some other more 'value' components..

[TheProfessor]

Well I have a PVR already from Rogers, and while it would be nice to be able to give it back and save the money, unless the HTPC can work just as well, I would rather just keep the PVR. As for budget, I was thinking something along the lines of $400-500 to start, and I would be willing to spend more down the line. That's why I asked if I could build this in stages, and what parts I would need now vs. what I could do without but add later.

[midnightfxgt]

Been a while since I looked into building a HTPC. I am going to need to sit down and figure mine all out.

I have a Home Theatre in a box. This one: http://www.futureshop.ca/catalog/proddetail.asp?logon=&langid=EN&sku_id=0665000FS10072322&catid=

With only 1 Audio input (RCA). What is the best way to connect this to the PC? I have a couple ideas... but any suggestions?

I am also going to look into a capture device/Video Card. Not for a while, but do people recommend an All-in-Wonder type card, or seperate card for each?

Thanks :bana
John

[majic]

Well I have a PVR already from Rogers, and while it would be nice to be able to give it back and save the money, unless the HTPC can work just as well, I would rather just keep the PVR. As for budget, I was thinking something along the lines of $400-500 to start, and I would be willing to spend more down the line. That's why I asked if I could build this in stages, and what parts I would need now vs. what I could do without but add later.

the problem is, unless you have parts lying around that you can recycle, you can't really buy in stages..

you will need a mobo (150), ram (150), cpu (200), psu (120), and a hard drive (reuse an old one or get a low capacity for < 100) to start (you can borrow an optical drive from another pc or you can buy my plextor 708 :)

the $ figures are just ballpark and of course you can sacrifice a little here and there..

case you can replace later to make it pretty, video card you can add later but you'd need either a current (pci-e) vid card or onboard video.. the latter will add to the cost and heat of the system and later you won't use it..

[majic]

ok.. canadacomputers

CPU: (the first is cheaper but sold out)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+ (65W) Dual Core Socket AM2 Windsor 2.0GHz, 2x512KB Cache, 2000MHz HT, 90nm, Retail Box $140.69

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4000+ (65W) Dual Core Socket AM2 2.1GHz, 2x512KB Cache, 2000MHz HT, 65nm, Retail Box $175.86

MOBO:
Asus M2NPV-VM Socket AM2 nVidia GeForce 6150 + nForce 430 Chipset Dual Channal DDR2 Integrated GeForce6 GPU DVI-D & RGB Output 4x SATA Gigabit Lan HD Audio Firewire micro-ATX $103.26

my gf has this in her pc.. it does get HOT, the northbridge (responsible for the onboard video) is nutty but a few low spinning fans and you're ok.. it comes with a bracket for 720p/1080i component HDTV as shown here http://www.asus.com/products4.aspx?l1=3&l2=101&l3=0&model=1138&modelmenu=1

http://www.asus.com/999/images/products/1138/m2npv-vm_hdtv.jpg

RAM:
OCZ (OCZ2P8001GK) DDR2 PC2-6400 Platinum 1GB (2x512MB) Dual Channel Kit $125.61

you can always add another pair like that later..

PSU:
SEASONIC S12 550W SLI/CF SSI ATX Power Supply (550HT-F3BLR) $129.99

waaaaaaaaay more than enough juice!


HD:
Western Digital (WD2500KS) Caviar 250GB SATAII 7200RPM 16MB Buffer (OEM) $90.44
Western Digital (WD3200KS) Caviar 320GB SATAII 7200RPM 16MB Buffer (OEM) $112.55
Western Digital Caviar (WD5000KS) 500GB SATAII 7200RPM 16MB Buffer (OEM) $170.84

they all are 34-36c/GB so can't go wrong with either

[midnightfxgt]

Hey Maj.... take a stab at mine :P

[majic]

ahaha.. no thanks.. :)

not looking to do the setup you have so i can't tell you waht's good or bad for that :(

ok ok.. maybe when i get bored :D

[majic]

save ~40 on the above CPUs (this one is for $15 off now)

http://www.ncix.com/products/index.php?sku=22709&promoid=1001

[majic]

found some alternatives in an article while i was browsing.. err working

http://www.hardware.info/en-UK/pcadvice/bpifa5thag/viewconfig/

it's a BUDGET PC not a HTPC but some components will be interchangeable..

AMD Athlon 64 X2 4200+.. they say 89W but just get the 65W one

memory.. generic.. just get a value line of kingston/ocz and you'll be fine if you don't want to pay premium on the ram

MSI K9N Ultra - 6 sata ports.. high def audio.. cool.. and they say they like it so it's all good :D

MSI RX1650XT-T2D256EZ.. hmm better than a passively cooled 7600GS? a tossup? i'd but whatever is available in canada (cheaper of course)

WDC HD - size just depends on your budget..

Samsung SH-S182D.. i've heard good things about this DVD-/+RW drive so you're good..



so what's the progress on the media center pc? :D

[TheProfessor]

The progess is that it's not really going anywhere right now. I know that I need to do a lot more reading and researching before beginning this project. I will do it probably over the summer though, as even my wife thinks it'll be a good addition to the HT.

[majic]

oh ok..

i guess u can just keep playing wii games ;)

[TheProfessor]

Hell yeah!