This is the post you have all been waiting for. It is finally done!
Well a couple of things are not working properly including windows and spdif...
I tried to nlite Windows but I didn't do a good job so I will just reinstall the full thing...
I foolishly bought a mobo that did not have spdif built in, it does have a 3 pin spdif output on the mobo and I had a couple of PCI bracket adapters lying around but I have got it working yet...
Objectives:
Play HD-DVDs
Stream ripped HD video off NAS (NAS has not been built yet)
Have a nice mediaportal front end
OK first the spec and cost analysis (most are bought used from forums so don't expect to find them for these prices in scan):
Antec NSK 2480 case - £45
Intel E2200 - £36
Scythe Mini Ninja Cooler - £28 new
2GB Geil 4-4-4-12 DDR2 - £25
Gigabyte GA-945GCM S2L mATX mobo - £25
Xpertvision HD 2600 Pro - £20 (I bought this for £37 new a year ago, but I estimate its worth £20 now)
40GB Hard drive - spare lying around (I actually got it free)
Keyboard Keysonic wireless RF - £28 new (HAS CRAP RANGE!!)
HDMI cable - £4
Media Remote - £18 new
Xbox HD-DVD drive - £13 new (amazon.de)
Total: £242
Pictures:
How it looks closed, haven't put it on the shelf yet as I am still making changes.
How it looks inside, birds eye view. This is some of my best cable management ever (see other thread for proof)
Passive mini ninja.... well its really next to two 120mm fans. I get 30 idle in the bios, have not looked at any other temps yet
POS keyboard. I need to decide whether to send it back under the DSR as the range is terrible, although I might be able to extend range enough with a USB extension cable...
Testing:
So far only tested Bourne Identity HD-DVD which played back flawlessly without GPU acceleration. I need to get GPU acceleration working too
Managed to overclock CPU to 2.36ghz without changing any other settings/voltages... It might go higher, but stability is more important for this build, it does everything it needs to do at stock anyway.
To do:
Reinstall windows
setup the remote - I really haven't got a clue. I need to figure out how to get it to turn on the damn PC
Mod HD-DVD drive into internal
Get it online! (and on network, got switch and cables on their way from scan)
Get a HDMI compatible amp (although that might not be in the near future so need to sort out spdif)


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