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Need advise on how to upgrade to HTPC

#1
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8/29/08 at 8:01am
  • Joined: October 2000
  • Post Count: 18
Been a long time since I have posted on this site, but here goes:

I have a Denon 3801 receiver, Sony KP61-HS10 TV and assorted game systems and DVD players.

I want to add a pc to the system as well as I have lately been using more download movies that physical rentals. Currently I tie directly into my TV via S-video and RCA audio cables through the front of the TV itself. I want to upgrade and have the system go through the receiver to get component video connections and a better audio feed. I have no plans on replacing the receiver or TV as I love them both.

I just purchased a new remote controllable component video switch box as with the addition of a pc into the system I will need the extra inputs. The new pc must have component video cable capabilities.

I am open to the notion of buying or building a new PC dedicated to this purpose but would like to keep the price around $500. A blue-ray player would be nice as well.

Any recommendation on what to look for in such a pc would be helpful.

I have extra (currently USB) SATA hard drives that I have been steadily filling up that I could utilize in the new system.
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#2
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8/30/08 at 2:09am
  • Joined: June 1997
  • Post Count: 10,882

Re: Need advise on how to upgrade to HTPC

Well you are going to need a video card that you can go from DVI to component through a dongle. I would look at the Nvidia or ATI video cards. If you want to do Blu-ray you are going to have a Blu-ray drive and make sure that your OS can handle the HDM required. Power DVD from Cyberlink makes a great program for playback of Blu-ray. Then you are going to need a sound card that has a S/PDIF out. I like the Auzentech Explosion 7.1 as it as both the optical and the RCA S/PDIF outs.

Your best bet may be to find a pre-built HTPC that has everything you want already preconfigured as by the time you buy the Blu-ray drive, sound card and video card you are already up there in cost and you can get some pre-built PCs for a good price from HP and Gateway.

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#3
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8/30/08 at 9:09am
  • Joined: October 2000
  • Post Count: 18

Re: Need advise on how to upgrade to HTPC

Thank you for your reply. Any recommendations of current models or brands to look at for a finished unit?
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#4
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8/31/08 at 8:16pm
  • Joined: June 1997
  • Post Count: 10,882

Re: Need advise on how to upgrade to HTPC

Tim:

I was able to pick up a Gateway last year that had everything included but they don't make it anymore. I know that HP has some models that run around $1,200 that have Windows Vista 64bit with 4G of RAM, Blu-ray, 750G HD, dual tuner with PVR, built in wireless LAN, Nvidia Video card and Sound Blaster sound card.

I have found having a dual tuner HTPC is a must so you can either record two shows at once or what one while recording another. All the new tuners are analog and digital so when they go to all digital in Febrary you are set. They will also do QAM so you can pick up local HD channels over the air or HD channels on your cable. Many of the prebuilt HTPCs will only have one tuner so if you can add another like the AverTV Bravo Hybrid you will be good to go. As far as the sound outputs I would talk with the guys at the store but typically they come with 6 mini outs that you have to use a dongle with to plug into the inputs on your preamp or receiver.

I would go to Best Buy or Circuit City and look over the models they have, then look for them online thru places like Amazon.

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