Building a HTPC - Page 3

Neuromancer · #21 03-17-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by kikicoco1334

i been wondering about this for a little while now what's up with people building a such heavy duty setup for HTPC? i have never had a "real" HTPC before so i don't really know, my current movie computer is a Atom 330 and it really dose all i need it to do - play movies and still staid around $140 after shipping

HTPC is not just a video playback device. (those you can get for about $100, I use the WDTV Live HD

)

HTPC is also about media storage, media sharing, recording broadcasts, converting formats. Many Audio video nuts also enjoy fine tuning their Video and Audio playback. Which requires a beefy CPU for 1080P and high bit audio.

(FYI, 1080P movies you download, is compressed. BDROMs are 25GB, 1080P movies in MKV are about 8GB, most people will not be able to tell the difference some will complain though).

That does not even include Flash playback (not happening on the ATOM I had). Nor does it include gaming which many people find much more enjoyable in a comfy chair with a 10' UI like console gamers. Because of the generally lower resolution (1368x768 for 720P TVs) an even more powerful CPU is needed to keep the GPU from starving.

All that said, no it is not necessary. My HTPC is a unlocked sempron 140 running on a 890GX with IGP. Handles media serving duties. It will run flash okay, Java apps are another story. That can completely bog down the system and make even streaming impossible.

But as a 2nd PC in the living room, it is handy when the kids are on the house PC, I can pop on the HTPC real quick to check stuff.

I pulled the tuner from my HTPC, so it is really just a media playback/server now. Depending on how H67 turns out and if they release cheaper CPUs with 12EU graphics I might go that route for HTPC

GFDuke · #22 03-18-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neuromancer

Problem might be the TV then.

If you are using FFDshow codec you can override audio output settings, Such as always force AC3, and maybe that will allow your TV to pass the signal through.

I am not up on all the latest techs, I get the stuff working at my house and stop learning LOL

I know audio passthrough is pretty problematic at best with video cards, TV and Receivers though.

I'm not trying to pass through the tv though. I had my HDMI from the 5850 going into my HT reciever then i am using the HDMI out on the reciever to my tv. Maybe i should set it up differently?

Neuromancer · #23 03-18-2011

Sorry I just reread thread and saw you mentioned that.

What model receiver are you using? If it is an older one it might not be compatible. There was some gripes about that a few years back when ATi first started doing it. IE RD740, DHR904 etc

"5850 supports 8 Channel Linear PCM, Dolby True-HD, and DTS-Master"

That said, DDT-HD and DTS-M are passthrough modes NOT going to turn a music file into those formats.

Are you just working with Windows sounds at this point?

If so try DDL and DTS formats and test those in surround mode. (via audio properties in control panel)

I never got to play with Receiver HDMI and am not looking forward to the day when I upgrade my receiver to HDMI, as not all of them will do it. At least according to the many frustrated users I have seen posting about it over the last couple of years.

I will help out how I can with info, since I have read up on it before, but going to a site like AVSforums or maybe even overclockers.com will get you the answers you want.

kikicoco1334 · #24 03-18-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neuromancer

HTPC is not just a video playback device. (those you can get for about $100, I use the WDTV Live HD

)

HTPC is also about media storage, media sharing, recording broadcasts, converting formats. Many Audio video nuts also enjoy fine tuning their Video and Audio playback. Which requires a beefy CPU for 1080P and high bit audio.

(FYI, 1080P movies you download, is compressed. BDROMs are 25GB, 1080P movies in MKV are about 8GB, most people will not be able to tell the difference some will complain though).

That does not even include Flash playback (not happening on the ATOM I had). Nor does it include gaming which many people find much more enjoyable in a comfy chair with a 10' UI like console gamers. Because of the generally lower resolution (1368x768 for 720P TVs) an even more powerful CPU is needed to keep the GPU from starving.

All that said, no it is not necessary. My HTPC is a unlocked sempron 140 running on a 890GX with IGP. Handles media serving duties. It will run flash okay, Java apps are another story. That can completely bog down the system and make even streaming impossible.

But as a 2nd PC in the living room, it is handy when the kids are on the house PC, I can pop on the HTPC real quick to check stuff.

I pulled the tuner from my HTPC, so it is really just a media playback/server now. Depending on how H67 turns out and if they release cheaper CPUs with 12EU graphics I might go that route for HTPC

oh damn i didn't know that!
well my 330 is a dual core with 60GB OS + 1.5TB 2GB of fake gskill pi lol
well... i may just have to rebuild a real HTPC now...

btw what's up with that BDRIP i know they are 25GB and the MKV files you download are 8GB are they much of a diff? and i have seen some of them that's 13GB stuff like that...

Neuromancer · #25 03-18-2011

The MKV rips are more than adequate for me. In fact I usually go with 720P rips as they are usually 4.5-6GB in size.

Some guys can see the differnce, I do not have a 1080P TV though, I do have a $300 1920x1200 res monitor I use, but never tried a true 1080P rip to see if it makes any video quality difference.

90% of the stuff I watch on the HTPC is either TV (1080i anyway) or even anamorphic SD. So, I probably would not even notice true 1080P.

Aficionados though will tell you there is a difference.

Another consideration is converting hte BDRIPs to another format for storage yourself. Doing it yourself ensures full control over the results

kikicoco1334 · #26 03-18-2011

hmmm cuz like i can tell diff between 1080p and 720p on TV oh well...

HITandRUN · #27 03-21-2011

Quote:

Originally Posted by Neuromancer

The MKV rips are more than adequate for me. In fact I usually go with 720P rips as they are usually 4.5-6GB in size.

Some guys can see the differnce, I do not have a 1080P TV though, I do have a $300 1920x1200 res monitor I use, but never tried a true 1080P rip to see if it makes any video quality difference.

90% of the stuff I watch on the HTPC is either TV (1080i anyway) or even anamorphic SD. So, I probably would not even notice true 1080P.

Aficionados though will tell you there is a difference.

Another consideration is converting hte BDRIPs to another format for storage yourself. Doing it yourself ensures full control over the results

I would say you will see quite a difference running 720p vs. 1080p on a 1920x1200 res monitor. I mean unless you blind

My setup is as follows and has been running like this for approx. 4 years. Plays anything like a champ without skipping a beat. Its on the stock Intel cooler and not overclocked. Yeah I know shame on me!

E4300
Asus mini ITX mobo
2 GB of some cheap Corsair ram
WD 1TB + WD 700GB
8800GT
Coolermaster HTPC case
iMON 2.4G Remote Controller
Boxee Sotware
ONKYO HT-S3300
Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1150 TV Card

Neuromancer · #28 03-21-2011

Dukester, sorry forthe OT posts, did you find out what model receiver you are using?

The fact that you are getting audio to your TV (faint though it is) is a good sign

kikicoco1334 · #29 03-21-2011

here is what i have far as tv tuner gos..
i don't anything about them at all lol
any ideas?

WinTV-HVR-1600

WinTV-PVR-250MCE

ATi 550

Asus Combo 210E

Neuromancer · #30 03-21-2011

Not sure about the 3rd, the 1st is definitely good though. WinTV is trash. Might get $5 on ebay for it. NTSC is useless now, OTA is ATSC and even cable went digital (when they swore they wouldn't) )