comments on purchasing a cheap HTPC. (1 Viewer)

[archp2008]

I am thinking about purchasing a cheap HTPC something like this
http://cgi.ebay.ca/INTEL-OVERCLOCKED-3-6GHZ-QUAD-CORE-GAMING-PC-W-1G-VIDEO_W0QQitemZ250496673733QQcmdZViewItemQQptZDesktop_PCs?hash=item3a52c3e7c5&_trksid=p3911.c0.m14#ht_9674wt_838 only mounted in an HTPC case, of course, and substituting an internal blu-ray reader for the dvd r/w. I already have a Denon 1708 AVR and a pair of Klipsch RF52 speakers connected to a Samsung Series 5300 Plasma. I am temporarily also using a pair of left-over Philips speakers from one of those ghetto-blaster like component systems as side speakers. I don't have center or rear speakers as yet. I also have a Popcorn Hour A-110 which I use as a streaming device for a movie jukebox and for network browsing, Youtube, etc I don't have full PC capability (browsing, etc.) over the big screen as yet, though, which I why I would still like to have an HTPC on the stand. Any comments (positive or negative) on the kind of equipment that I am considering to buy would be appreciated. In particular, should I also include a PCI sound card with optical out? The Denon does not have true HDMI audio output (it merely sends the audio input to the tv speakers ) so I have to route all the audio inputs through optical or RCA inputs on the AVR.

 

[archp2008]

I just became aware of the complications of HDCP (copy protection) I think that's the name of it. Can anyone comment on whether or not I will have problems with this.

 

[Sam Posten]

For playback, you shouldnt if your machine has an HDMI port (I didnt check the auction).

 

[dfeller]

Only thing to worry about for now is the Blu-ray player - all the other kinds of content it sounds like you run will not be HDCP protected (downloads, streams, pictures etc.) HDMI solves that indefinitely, but as far as I recollect, component from the WMC box will work just fine up to 1080i...