Spec Opinions

[barryrs]

Hi guys, newbie here.

I’m looking at building myself a HTPC and after lots of web browsing I have come up with the parts list below.

1. Elonex Scaleo Barebone -with onboard Graphics / Sound / LAN - Wireless Keyboard, Media Remote and Heatsink included - 250W PSU
2. SKT775 Heatsink
3. Samsung HD502IJ SpinPoint F1 500GB Hard Drive SATAII 7200rpm 16MB Cache - OEM
4. 2 x 1GB DDR PC3200 400MHz 184pin Ram
5. Intel Pentium 4 631 3GHz Socket 775 800MHz 2MB L2 Cache OEM Processor
6. Hauppauge WinTV Nova-T 500 Dual digital DVB-T PCI TV Tuner card
7. Optiarc AD-7201A 20X DVD±RW/RAM LightScribe IDE Black Bare Drive

I was just wondering if any of you experts could take a look at what im proposing and give me any advice on where I may have gone wrong, if i have forgotten anything or if indeed I have got it right.

Im only looking at building a relatively low end unit that will be used to watch TV, play DVD’s and music in the lounge so I don’t want anything to complicated.

The only real thing im undecided on at the moment is the operating system but will probably end up with Vista.

Thanks

[barryrs]

Following the above post i decided to go back to the drawing board and put some more thought into the build

I’ve finally got most of the components together for my new HTPC build and thought i would share it just in case any of you are interested.
The case was a difficult decision as I struggled to find one in black with a built in IR receiver but finally settled on the Antec Fusion Remote Black.

The next big thing for me was that I wanted an all in one solution that encompassed everything into one compact case but unfortunately it seems that a built in amplifier was out of the question.

Well after lots for web searching I case across this motherboard and sound card combination by MSI - Media Live DIVA 5.1

As you can see this motherboard is designed specifically with the HTPC in mind and wait for it………. This comes with an amplified sound card capable of running a 5.1 passive speaker surround sound system.

The only down side is that this is not available in Europe so after finding a supplier in the USA willing to ship to the UK my order was placed.

The AMD 64x2 dual-core processor was recommended for use with this motherboard so that’s what I have gone with.

I have just 2GB of ram for it at the moment but the motherboard supports up to 8GB so there is plenty of scope to increase this.

I have just a bog standard DVD-RW drive in black to match the case but this may be upgraded to a blueray drive if I think its worth it in the future.

I have had a problem with the Hauppauge WinTV Nova-T TV card that I picked up off ebay a few weeks ago at a bargain price.
The motherboard only has a pci-e slot available so this one will have to go back on ebay.
Serves me right for buying it before i had decided on the mb i guess

I currently have a 250GB hard drive that I will use as the master hard drive and will install an additional 1TB hard drive in the near future.

So that just leaves me to sort the software out once its built which will more than likely by windows vista.

[atm]

barryrs.. hi hows things progressed with your build? I to have found that the MSI Board is the daddy with the AMP and looks like the way forward for me as i dont want a Receiver in the lounge. Couple of questions though please.

1, current status on your build? sucess i hope!
2, does any standalone sound card have the built in amp that this does or is the MSI unique?
3, can i just plug these Logitech Z-5500 THX Certified 5.1 Speaker System (970115-0120) staight into the speaker outs in the MSI card? I actually dont think i can as these speakers are run from the sub i think.
4, if thats the case what are my options for speakers? Assume the that card will only every do 5.1 and if in future u want 7.1 the only way to acheive that is via the Pre out to another AMP? or as those speakers mentioned above are run from the SUb would that count.

oh dear i really want to crack on with this build as the mrs has given the green light however have so many questions..

hope u can help and many thanks
atm