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Bitstream over HDMI for HTPC (1 Viewer)

Bryce_H

Stunt Coordinator
Joined
Oct 20, 2004
Messages
120
Good morning all

So I am looking to upgrade my HTPC to be able to get an audio bitstream through HDMI to my receiver. My current video is passed through a DVI to HDMI cable and the audio is passed through optical. The HTPC runs/performs the following:

- Windows 7 Professional
- Windows Media Center
- Live TV over antenna – uncompressed 1080P
- DVR (up to 2 simultaneous uncompressed 1080P recordings while also streaming from net or my server)
- Stream from my server (WHS11) in the basement
- Stream from Netflix
- Stream from Amazon Prime

Current hardware to be reused:
- SSD
- 8GB of RAM
- Powersupply
- Case
- Tuner card

I anticipate reusing most of my current hardware so am really only concerned about the motherboard and CPU. I have a mid-tower case so motherboard size in not a concern. A couple questions:
1) Should I use integrated graphics or reuse my two 9800GTX cards in SLI?
2) If I go integrated graphics, based on the tasks above, should I go AMD or Intel?
a. Recommendations for each?
3) If I reuse the two 9800GTX in SLI, I will likely go intel – how powerful a CPU do I need
4) I have not been able to get any definitive answers on how to ensure a motherboard will pass a bitstream over HDMI. Will every motherboard with an HDMI port pass a bitstream?
5) Any particular suggestions of motherboards (again I have a mid-tower case) for:
a. Intel 1150 (for Intel integrated graphics)
b. AMD FM2/FM2+ (for AMD integrated graphics)
c. Intel without integrated graphics

Budget is under $250

Any information is greatly appreciated. Thank you.
 

schan1269

HTF Expert
HW Reviewer
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2012
Messages
17,104
Location
Chicago-ish/NW Indiana
Real Name
Sam
Not that I'm the computer expert, but...

I think PC have to decode audio. I've never ran into anybody that set one up otherwise.

So...proper sound card is key to get good decoding.

What is the best there is...not a clue.

But anyway...pretty sure bitstream is not gonna happen.
 

David Willow

Babbling Idiot
Senior HTF Member
Joined
Jan 23, 2004
Messages
2,555
Location
Mechanicsburg, PA
Real Name
Dave
If you plan to plug this into a receiver you can pass the audio through and let the receiver do the heavy lifting. You don't need anything super high end to do this - my less than $200 HTPC will does this very nicely (even 7.1 HD tracks).


If you are running Windows (or have some real understanding of Linux), then either Intel or AMD will be fine. My AMD Fusion based system works well with OpenElec and Kodi, but fails with OpenElec and Plex. Windows will not have any issues.


Your situation is a bit different - it looks like you intend to throw some serious hardware in the computer but the advice should hold true.
 

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