Comments on: Going HD: Part 2 (HTPC)

By: How To: Build a Microsoft Windows 7 and Intel Core i7 PC using a Shuttle SX58H7 SFF (Part 1) — PaulStamatiou.com

Thu, 22 Oct 2009 05:35:32 +0000

[...] not initially intended to be a replacement for the HTPC I built and wrote about last year, it seems like this new computer has become my primary media [...]

By: GlideTV Introduces Navigator – first “Couch Mouse” — PaulStamatiou.com

Tue, 13 Oct 2009 13:38:20 +0000

[...] might want to subscribe to the RSS feed for updates on this topic.So you’ve built a fancy new HTPC, with a custom case that fits perfectly into your home theater setup, but without fail you’re [...]

By: Review: Boxee Media Center (or Going HD: Part 4) - PaulStamatiou.com

Review: Boxee Media Center (or Going HD: Part 4) - PaulStamatiou.com — Mon, 09 Mar 2009 07:03:20 +0000

[...] updates on this topic.When I wrote that I couldn’t live without my Vudu box, I already had a Linux HTPC hooked up to my TV and still thought Vudu rocked. Why was that? There was no easy interface for me [...]

By: Going HD: Part 2 (HTPC) - PaulStamatiou.com - V’s Link & Photo Blog

Going HD: Part 2 (HTPC) - PaulStamatiou.com - V’s Link & Photo Blog — Mon, 02 Feb 2009 11:00:44 +0000

[...] Going HD: Part 2 (HTPC) – PaulStamatiou.com. [...]

By: Matt Smith

Matt Smith — Tue, 06 Jan 2009 05:08:51 +0000

So far, I’m running an older Compaq with boxee. Works great for what I need, although I could definitely use more flexibility. I’d like to use it as a DVR too, by running RF out of my Comcast HD STB – but its board only has one PCI-E slot (graphics card), so there’s no room for a decent tuner card. I tried a USB tuner stick, but the quality was awful, especially with HD.

By: Speerdo

Speerdo — Mon, 01 Dec 2008 01:32:39 +0000

I built my new HTPC last spring and just this friday got the same blu-ray drive as you at Best Buys black friday sale for $99.

Upon testing out blu-ray on my dual-core 2GB setup, I realized that my onboard video just can’t handle blu-ray when played from the drive. If I rip it to my HDD via AnyDVD HD, it seems to play alright, but not perfect…lots of dropped frames.

I’m assuming that a new video card w/ HDMI will solve the problem. Probably another 2GB of RAM won’t hurt things. I’ve been looking at the 4300 and 4500 series of ATIs new HD cards.

Oddly enough, I can play downloaded HD videos just fine via WMP11, but when I try and play MKV files in Vista media center, the picture lags. It’s a shame. I’m hoping a new video card will fix all my issues.

By: Holiday Giveaway: 1.5TB of Seagate Drives - PaulStamatiou.com

Holiday Giveaway: 1.5TB of Seagate Drives - PaulStamatiou.com — Thu, 27 Nov 2008 16:43:24 +0000

[...] in my cloud life article below, and the bulk of my video files and movies are stored on my HTPC which has 2 750GB Seagate drives. I don’t worry about my MacBook Pro’s solid state drive dying on me, but I’m more [...]

By: Mike

Mike — Sat, 15 Nov 2008 22:10:09 +0000

Paul,

What resolution do you have your computer set to? I’ve tried multiple ones, and many of them had serious overscan problems (apparently a common problem with nvidia). I used the nvidia Desktop Manager to “resize the HDTV Desktop” (which changes the resolution), and ultimately the one that is working the best is 1128 x 648. I’ve also increased the windows font sizes and set the changed the DPI to 120%. It’s not bad, but not great either (about the same as my old s-video connection).

I think I’m going to put down some money on a better video card with hdmi output.
I’m currently debating whether or not to go with a passive cooled one or a beefier fan cooled one. Here’s the two I’m considering:

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814125250

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814131124

Thoughts?

The both have the native hdmi port. I know you can get a DVI to HDMI adapter, but I can’t seem to find a clear answer on whether or not sound can travel across a DVI to HDMI adapter. Happen to know?

Great article by the way!

By: Paul Stamatiou

Paul Stamatiou — Fri, 14 Nov 2008 22:40:57 +0000

@Mike – wow that’s quite unfortunately. I’ve been pleased with a fairly crisp image coming from the HDMI. The only difference between us that I think would matter is the HDTV but you say you get it working better via SVideo.. odd. Not sure what to say. :-/

By: Mike

Mike — Thu, 13 Nov 2008 04:39:58 +0000

I just built a new budget HTPC as well (old one died). I too bough the Foxconn M7PMX-S, primarily for the reasons you mentioned (cheap, hdmi). I’ve got an e2200 installed in it along with 2 Gigs of Ram. The case, drives, PSU, were all things I had lying around. I was excited about the hdmi, since my last video connection was through S-Video. From what I read, it was destined to be better. Problem is, it isn’t. Damn. I tried for hours trying to find the right resolution, DPI combination, but the screen is just fuzzy. It’s connected to a 62in rear projection HDTV. The S-Video on my old HTPC (which was just a laptop) was much better. Bummer. Did you have any luck with it?

By: Nicholas Polydor

Nicholas Polydor — Tue, 11 Nov 2008 01:35:03 +0000

Paul, I’m curious as to why you didn’t buy an AMD 780G or GeForce 8200-based system, or even an off-the-shelf Acer x1200 or x3200 ?

By: Luke

Luke — Wed, 29 Oct 2008 00:44:17 +0000

I don’t get HDCP, it appears it only punishes users who legally purchase movies! The movie industry don’t encourage us to move from torrents to paid content when all the paid content basically screw us. Similar issue with older HD tv we had, didn’t support HDCP so Apple TV or Bluray would not play HD.

Anyway, DRM problems could fill many blogs.

By: craig198

craig198 — Wed, 13 Aug 2008 14:20:20 +0000

i was planning on using the same motherboard for my htpc! glad I stopped here and took a gander. looks like I need more HP then I originally thought. I too will go with the 45nm cpu. as far as hdcp you could also rip your bluerays with dvd hd fab no? Im assuming that last statement.

you guys recommend any sexy cases to house this puppy?

I was going to go with the Creative Sound Blaster X-Fi Xtreme Audio Sound Card – PCI Express x1 – 24 bit with toslink optical in/out.
http://www.lagoom.com/Creative_Labs_Sound_Blaster_X-Fi/30SB082000000/partinfo-id-575404.html

By: Martin

Martin — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 19:44:57 +0000

Thanks for this post! I saw a lot of worrying results when searching for Foxconn and Ubuntu/Linux compatibility, and I happen to be looking at exactly the same mainboard as you.

By: Going HD: Part 1 - PaulStamatiou.com

Going HD: Part 1 - PaulStamatiou.com — Fri, 27 Jun 2008 01:48:54 +0000

[...] Going HD: Part 2 (HTPC) is now live. No one has saved this post on del.icio.us. Why not bookmark it? Raise your hand if [...]

By: KarlZ

KarlZ — Wed, 25 Jun 2008 01:59:22 +0000

Just about finished my htpc-from the ground up and if you plan right, the case is not too ugly-my entire media empire is built into a bookcase-but a real htpc case would blend right in…
Here are the top tips I’ve learned from bitter experience:
AnyDVDHD is a must-I’d actually forgotten what drm means!
Vista will cause you problems you don’t need-There are great XP Pro OS that come with 64-bit drivers that seem to use 1/3 the resources which I find helps with 1080p file playback
The best GPU you can afford-directx10 for vista but ok for any OS and consider cooling options even if you’re not a gamer
A simple tv card finishes it off-Leadtek are cheap and good and the pvr utility is easy-if you have the slot, buy 2 for pip,watch and record etc.
htpc gives you all media in 1 device-I love reading email with a coffee in the a.m. then 1 click to the weather channel-the wireless kb tucks away and the table has a mouse and 1 remote!

By: David Moore

David Moore — Tue, 24 Jun 2008 02:15:26 +0000

@Paul, with an HDCP compliant Gcard is there any need for you to worry about AnyDVD?

By: Paul Stamatiou

Paul Stamatiou — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 07:42:19 +0000

@Michael – thanks for stopping by. As for the Vista issue, I meant that I would need another video card that supports HDCP to play DRM’d blu-ray titles.

By: Rial S.

Rial S. — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:44:22 +0000

After reading some of your twitter updates on the endeavor, I’m definitely going to wait on BluRay for a couple of generations down the road (firstly, so I can afford it) until it’s at least working partially in Linux.

Your media server, do you have SlimServer running on it? It’s excellent for streaming a music collection. The latest versions (at least those available on Ubuntu Hardy) can handle a 300GB+ music collection MUCH better than early versions. For other media, one of my friends highly recommends http://orb.com/

By: Michael Wei

Michael Wei — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 06:17:10 +0000

I’m on the same boat as MarkMS – my PS3 has been great as a pseudo-htpc. It has blu-ray, can network with my computer, can run linux. The only problem i’d say is that it can’t play mkv’s smoothly, plus the internet browser is very limited.

Nice setup but whats up with that case? i know you’re going for budget, but a normal atx case is kind of unsightly next to your beautiful samsung, isn’t it? There are a lot of htpc cases that would fit better under about $100. Small price for keeping your setup slicker i’d say. Or SFF cases i think would look good too.

Also what are you talking about when you say that with Vista you need another display? I don’t see why you would need it at all. With a video card that supports HD (like one of the newer ATi’s with Avivo/UVD), can’t you boot right onto the tv?

By: Paul Stamatiou

Paul Stamatiou — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:34:46 +0000

@Frank – Mac Mini wouldn’t have been cheaper and this setup has considerably more power and storage. That and a blu-ray drive for Mac Minis would be very expensive at $1000:

http://store.fastmac.com/product_info.php?products_id=338

However, you’ve now made me consider an external drive enclosure and use the Blu-ray drive on my Mac. Then again my Air doesn’t have the power to play the movie although it might be able to rip it after a few hours.. BTW, Mactheripper does blu-ray?

By: Frank 'viperteq' Young

Frank 'viperteq' Young — Mon, 23 Jun 2008 00:05:33 +0000

I’m curious Paul: Instead of going the whole route of building a PC from scratch to serve as your HTPC, why didn’t you just buy a Mac Mini, upgrade the CPU and use MacTheRipper to rip your Blu-Ray titles and display on the plasma using a DVI-to-HDMI cable? Seems like it would have been cheaper, easier to deal with and allow you to do everything that you were already doing on the previous setup (setup of Samba share, SSH, etc.)……..

By: Paul Stamatiou

Paul Stamatiou — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 17:37:55 +0000

@David – I didn’t plan on going the HDCP route as I originally intended for the Ubuntu route, so I didn’t care for HDCP support at the time. I’m currently tinkering with AnyDVD as recommended by Stelian, hopefully that works.

By: Daniel Andrade

Daniel Andrade — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 16:34:41 +0000

I wrote a post on my website showing how I’ve built my HTPC. There is no BlueRay, but till now it’s amazing. It’s running windows xp, and the things you can do you manage your files is using FTP (I have transfering files on windows network), where you have more control on what you’re doing. You can also install a VNC server, to have visual access to your computer from anywhere. About that SSH thing, there is Cygwin, I don’t like so much, it’s not the same, but you can try it! For video player, GOM Player for windows is te best I’ve ever used.
Now I just neet more storage. I think i’ll get a 2TB WD external drive soon ^^
Keep on writing, i’m exited about this post! :)

By: KVOG

KVOG — Sun, 22 Jun 2008 14:56:56 +0000

Your best choice for a proper HD graphics card, is the new AMD HD 4850. It’s single slot, so it won’t cost you in space, and it has all the horsepower you’ll ever need and then some…