http://www.avforums.com/forums/ HTPC discussions at AVForums.com en Sat, 21 Nov 2009 05:43:45 GMT vBulletin 60 http://www.avforums.com/forums/images/misc/rss.jpg http://www.avforums.com/forums/ http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1130092-new-htpc-build-buy.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 21:07:51 GMT Hi all i'm looking to ditch my bt vision box and i'v sold my laptop so i want to build or buy a media pc.Now would you make one or buy one or part make one? Would it be a better idea to buy this PACKARD BELL IXTMX6617 Desktop PC - Save on refurbished PACKARD BELL computers including the PACKARD BELL IXTMX6617 at Dixons and then buy a case and dual tv card.i take it there is no dvb-t2 tv cards at the moment.thanks for all your help. ]]> Home Cinema PCs stephenoakes http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1130092-new-htpc-build-buy.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1130066-htpc-build-located-belfast-any-thoughts.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:31:56 GMT Hello all, looking for some advice from some more experienced users if possible This is a list available from a local supplier mplex.com Just wanted to see what anyone thought ( I know i need win 7 and an optical drive but going to discuss that (student license) Do i need anything more/less -... Hello all, looking for some advice from some more experienced users if possible
This is a list available from a local supplier mplex.com
Just wanted to see what anyone thought ( I know i need win 7 and an optical drive but going to discuss that (student license)
Do i need anything more/less - how would it compare to say scan.co.uk
(I am an IT Helpdesk techie - and have some internal pc experience pci cards/mem but thats it... they will build it)

Coolermaster Extreme Power 460w ATX Power Supply Retail £35.00
Coolermaster Elite 360 Black Midi / Desktop ATX Case No PSU £30.00
AMD Athlon II X2 245 2.9GHz AM3 45nm Dual Core Retail £52.00
Gigabyte GA-MA74GM-S2 AM2+ DDRII HD2100 HDMI DVI D-Sub 6xSata USB/AUD/GbitLan Motherboard £47.00
Kingston 2GB 800Mhz PC6400 DDRII Memory KVR800D2N6/2G £38.00x2 £76.00Sapphire ATI Radeon HD4550 512MB PCI-E2.0 DDR3 HDMI/DVI/VGA Low£35.00TP Link 10/100/1000 Gigabit Ethernet Adaptor TG-3269 £7.50
Coolermaster Z600 Heatpipe Silent Passive 775/AM2+ Cooler £35.00
Logitech Internet Cordless 660 Black USB Optical Desktop Set £20.00
Trust CR-3400 Media Connect Bay Internal 3 Bezel ( 15264 ) £15.00
Samsung 1TB 7200rpm S-ATAII 32MB Hard Drive £65.00
Total: £422.50

my current kit is
42" HITACHI UT42MX70, SONY BDP350, TOSH EP 50 NAD 515, ONKYO 605, SKY HD, lieon hdd recorder, sky mid bb, xbox elite devolo 200 av homeplugs,

I'd also like to be able to send blue ray/hd to the living room from this - wouldnt know the best way to go - one of those western digital things, devolo homeplugs, xbox elite......
any help ? cheers ]]> Home Cinema PCs DES-Lite http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1130066-htpc-build-located-belfast-any-thoughts.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1130061-hd-audio-faq.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 20:27:59 GMT Over the last few months more and more people have been asking questions about HD Audio. Video seems fine but Audio causes a lot of confusion:confused: So here is my very brief (and possibly on occasion not quite the full story) guide to HD Audio both in general and in the murky HTPC underworld... Over the last few months more and more people have been asking questions about HD Audio. Video seems fine but Audio causes a lot of confusion:confused:

So here is my very brief (and possibly on occasion not quite the full story) guide to HD Audio both in general and in the murky HTPC underworld where we all reside ;)

Will start off and do a little background of HD Audio and some scene setting
then onto hardware (both HTPC and AV kit)
then onto software
then the dreaded complicated bit

Over the last 18 months or so I have added a bluray drive to my HTPC. Then I moved on to a Geforce 9400 board with LPCM support and finally where we are now with an Asus Xonar HDAV so I have been through all the options really...

These are some musing I had but not really sanity checked. Please feedback the errors / ommissions so I can keep this up to date.

Thanks ]]> Home Cinema PCs jameson_uk http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1130061-hd-audio-faq.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129741-latest-nvidia-driver-power-dvd-8-problems.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:40:36 GMT Hi, I regularly use Power DVD 8 ultra (without any Cyberlink updates installed) to watch my Bluray movies. It recently informed me that an updated display driver was required to play back the film. I updated the Nvidia driver to the latest (191.07) and the movie played but the video seemed to... Hi,
I regularly use Power DVD 8 ultra (without any Cyberlink updates installed)
to watch my Bluray movies.
It recently informed me that an updated display driver was required to play back the film.
I updated the Nvidia driver to the latest (191.07) and the movie played but the video seemed to have lost a lot of contrast. I could hardly see anything in dark scenes and shadows were very weird looking.
I experimented by changing the nvidia control panel settings to use the Nvidia video settings instead of application based settings. This worked ok.
So what's gone wrong?? any one else noticed this problem??

P.S Im on XP Sp3, C2D @ 3ghz, 8800GT, with 4gig system RAM. (Basically a gaming rig)
Display is on a 32" HD TV over a DVI to HDMI cable. ]]> Home Cinema PCs byngo http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129741-latest-nvidia-driver-power-dvd-8-problems.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129738-windows-media-centre-freesat-pc-building.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:35:22 GMT Hello,

I'm new to this board but have been reading for the last couple of days.

I currently have a Windows Vista media centre with freeview. It was purchased pretty much as it stands and is good for its purpose, but i'm looking for a new setup for a different bedroom.

I want to have built in freesat, that records this is a must.
I also want to have a remote control, and wireless keyboard. I don't want a monitor, just an output to my 50" LCD TV, so an HDMI slot is a must.

Obviously there doesn't seem to be a shop that does all of the above, so i'm looking to start from scratch and building my own, I've built and repaired the odd PC in the past when i was a kid, but in the last few years, i've just used laptops and my last PC was purchased.

I'm sure any motherboard/CPU will be quick enough, but might consider a smaller board so i can have a small case.

I'm looking for idea's on GFX cards with HDMI outputs, freesat cards that work with windows 7 and any other general info.

Sorry for all the questions on what must be fairly simple stuff but I don't really know where to start and don't want to start if what i want cannot be acheived.

Many thanks.

Ricky ]]> Home Cinema PCs RickyLee53 http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129738-windows-media-centre-freesat-pc-building.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129732-what-resolution-refresh-rate.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:24:23 GMT hi all i have and HTPC with HD 3300 IGP. basically i want to to reduce stuttering when playing ripped 1080p movies, which i think down to refresh rates? my current panel is a Samsung PS-50Q97HD, which is only 720p im connected direct via HDMI at 1360x768 @ 60hz hi all

i have and HTPC with HD 3300 IGP.

basically i want to to reduce stuttering when playing ripped 1080p movies, which i think down to refresh rates?

my current panel is a Samsung PS-50Q97HD, which is only 720p

im connected direct via HDMI at 1360x768 @ 60hz

any advice most welcome. ]]> Home Cinema PCs mickbarlow http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129732-what-resolution-refresh-rate.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129722-ati-radeon-hd-4350-out-stock-what-else.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 13:01:25 GMT Dabs have just emailed me with a long lead time, I thought this card was idea for the price and the fact that it was passively cooled. I read in the FAQ that Nvidia might be a better choice anyway due to 24fps etc. I have decent onboard sound via my motherboard so thats not an issue. What else is... Dabs have just emailed me with a long lead time, I thought this card was idea for the price and the fact that it was passively cooled. I read in the FAQ that Nvidia might be a better choice anyway due to 24fps etc. I have decent onboard sound via my motherboard so thats not an issue. What else is there is the under 50 that would suit?

Thanks

Lee ]]> Home Cinema PCs smoothy8r http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129722-ati-radeon-hd-4350-out-stock-what-else.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129639-ambilight-momolight-arfx-ambx.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 11:10:18 GMT Anyone have any more up-to-date info on these? Do any of them work with 7MC now? Anyone have any more up-to-date info on these? Do any of them work with 7MC now? ]]> Home Cinema PCs Cafe Racer http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129639-ambilight-momolight-arfx-ambx.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129620-usb-dvb-s2.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 10:56:07 GMT Is anyone making a USB DVB-S2 solution at the moment? Any plans for any of the big manufacturers to start making any? Is anyone making a USB DVB-S2 solution at the moment? Any plans for any of the big manufacturers to start making any? ]]> Home Cinema PCs JonnyO http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129620-usb-dvb-s2.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129452-htpc-av-receiver-audio-issues.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 01:30:55 GMT Hi im new to the forum and would be greatfull for any help. I have a htpc that i made and a Yamaha RXV365 and am having problems with audio, i have the two connected via digital optical and cant seem to get 5.1 working on anything except blu-ray. i have the shark pack installed and ive enabled ac3... Hi im new to the forum and would be greatfull for any help. I have a htpc that i made and a Yamaha RXV365 and am having problems with audio, i have the two connected via digital optical and cant seem to get 5.1 working on anything except blu-ray. i have the shark pack installed and ive enabled ac3 and dts pass through and when i watch a blu-ray movie the receiver changes to dts and plays 5.1 but when i play a dvd or avi file it says pcm and i cant change anything on the receiver, am i missing a setting somewhere? also im running windows7 32bit and using windows media centre

thanks for any help in advance. ]]> Home Cinema PCs pc-dave http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129452-htpc-av-receiver-audio-issues.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129428-another-dts-ma-dolby-thread.html Fri, 20 Nov 2009 00:15:07 GMT Hi guys. I want to clear this subject up once and for all! My system: HTPC: Thermaletake DH202 Case with touch screeen GFM 100 VM-M5 Motherboard with hi def audio support and onboard nvidia gforce graphics AMD Quad core cpu 9500 ATI SAPPHIRE ULTIMATE HD 4650 1GB DDR2 PCI-E... Hi guys.

I want to clear this subject up once and for all!
My system:

HTPC:
Thermaletake DH202 Case with touch screeen
GFM 100 VM-M5 Motherboard with hi def audio support and onboard nvidia gforce graphics
AMD Quad core cpu 9500
ATI SAPPHIRE ULTIMATE HD 4650 1GB DDR2 PCI-E hdmi output
Pioneer 203 bluray player/writer
4gig ram (800)
2tb hardrives
42'Panasonic plasma freesat tv
Denon 1909 av amp.
Windows 7 64bit
Power dvd 9 ultra.And TMT3

As I understand it the only way to get the dolby/dts hd audio formats is
1)A hdmi 1.3 sound card(only 2 availible and are £200)

2)The new ATI 5000 series graphic cards (£120 to £500)

Now bearing in mind I can get normal dolby digital and dts at the moment though my current hdmi ati 4650, with any format,MKV,Mpeg2/4 vob files, even bluray(via TMT) playing through the convieniant Windows 7 MC.

What I am wondering is there no other way around this using my current hardware?
The confusing thing is, if I go into sound properties it sais HTCP supported and birates 32khz right up to 176khz supported.
So why can I not get the hd audio lights to come on my Denon amp!!My amp supports hd audio!
If I have to upgrade to lets say a 5850 ati graphic card will i get the true hd audio formats when I play mkv,mpeg,avchd hd movie files with the M Audio formats encoded?In windows mc or will it be exclusive to TMT and the awful so called power dvd.
The frustrating thing is you can get a bluray player for under a £120!These htpc are 500 to £1000s:( and we have to make them ourselfs!! ]]> Home Cinema PCs Petdroo http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129428-another-dts-ma-dolby-thread.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129410-mkvs-shark-codec-embedded-subtitles.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:40:07 GMT Hi all,

I've been backing up my DVD collection to hard drive using Make MKV, however, during the process I seem to have lost any embedded subtitles. I've made certain to keep any english subtitles when backing up the DVD, does anybody have any suggestions? I've downloaded DirectVobSub, but that doesn't appear to have made any difference, I've enable show only enbedded subtitles in Shark Codecs App Settings too.

Any help would be greatly appreciated! Its the only part of my HTPC set-up im not happy with at the moment!

Thanks

Ben ]]> Home Cinema PCs Ben21 http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129410-mkvs-shark-codec-embedded-subtitles.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129401-htpc-virgin-builder.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 23:22:11 GMT Hello all, After visiting this forum on and off for a while now I have finally decided to take the plunge and have a go at building a HTPC. Being a wannabe geek, and a poor one at that, I thought it would be a good idea to share my adventure on this forum, especially if I make a complete... Hello all,

After visiting this forum on and off for a while now I have finally decided to take the plunge and have a go at building a HTPC.

Being a wannabe geek, and a poor one at that, I thought it would be a good idea to share my adventure on this forum, especially if I make a complete pigs ear of it!

Anyway, items that I've got already:

Silverstone LC17 black
Gigabyte MA780G-UD3H
2 X 1GB Corsair DDR2 800mhz
Windows 7 premium

Just ordered AMD Phenom II X3 705E 2.5 GHz Triple Core Processor

Can't make my mind up which hard drives to go for, either WD or the Samsung.

Also unable to find a good Blu-ray drive. I was after the LG GGW-H20L but it seems difficult to get hold of.

Once I start putting it together I'll post some pictures.

Wish me luck :thumbsup: ]]> Home Cinema PCs kayjayel http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129401-htpc-virgin-builder.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129273-htpc-appliance.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:34:29 GMT Hi,

Long time lurker, first time poster here.

First, thanks to the excellent FAQ and some other good posts on here, I've just taken the plunge and built my first HTPC.

The idea is to replace the families trusty Tivo which has given several years service and has been a fantastic gadget. Sooner or later the hardware must fail and the £120/yr subscription fee seems like dead money when it could be spent on a new toy.

I'd installed 7MC and a freeview tuner card on a mini-tower PC a few weeks ago to test it out, and more importantly to make sure it was "wife friendly". As it turns out the slide show seems to be "Killer App" on 7MC as far as my family are concerned :thumbsup:

Anyway, this is the spec I went with:

Asus M4A785D-M PRO AM3 Motherboard
AMD Athlon II X2 235E Dual Core CPU -
2x 1GB Kingston ValueRAM 800MHz DDR2 Memory Stick
Antec New Solution Series 2480
1TB Western Digital Caviar Green 3.5" Hard Disk Drive
LG GGC-H20L BD-ROM
KWorld PC160-2T - Dual DVB (T) tuner
A Dell/Phillips MCE Remote from Ebay.
An old 160GB SATA Maxtor as a system disk

It all went together very easily, although the Motherboard fit is very tight. The 2480 is an excellent case to work on. I have onlly used one of the exhaust fans as the 45w CPU does not generate much heat at all. Both CPU and Motherboard report temeratues around 30 degrees c. The case is not silent, but is very quiet - the fridge in the next room seems louder.

I'm still in the process of getting Windows 7 configured correctly. The BD-ROM came with PowerDVD 7.3 which seems to work fine with Windows 7 and outputs DD 5.1 to my amp with no problems - unlike some posts I have read.

Once I'm happy with the set-up, my plan is not to tinker with it, just create a backup and treat it as an "appliance" which carries out a limited set of functions day after day. It remains to be seen if I can manage this of course :grin:

Thanks again for all the fantastic information on this forum - I couldn't have got this far without you :clap: ]]> Home Cinema PCs Boro David http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129273-htpc-appliance.html http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129269-silverstone-gd02-mt.html Thu, 19 Nov 2009 20:32:25 GMT I'm taking the plunge into the world of Home Cinema PC's and was thinking of building a system with the Silverstone GD02-MT Has anyone used it or got any comments about it? It wil be under the TV and I have been instructed it must look reasonable!!! I don't need to do gaming on it so it will just be for films, music and photos etc.
I have been trying to decide on other components and was going to put the Gigabyte GA-MA785GMT-UD2H but am unsure which processor to use - any thoughts?
- Is a 5200 or 7200 rpm hard drive better in an HTPC?
- The GD02 MT only takes a slim optical drive does anyone know of any decent ones?

Many thanks ]]> Home Cinema PCs TimFox http://www.avforums.com/forums/home-cinema-pcs/1129269-silverstone-gd02-mt.html