HTPC Build Help

[Sepulchasm]

Hi

I'm thinking of building an HTPC for my room - my current PVR is starting to show signs of age, and I want to be able to replace both that, and rip a load of my dvds to hard drive so I can store them in the loft. I'm planning on using external hard drives for that.

I'm also unsure whether to go for a Windows or Linux build (Not used Linux before, but am tempted due to the cheaper cost!)

Can anyone suggest a good spec build? Would like the option of HD playback for the future, but I have both a PS3 and the HD-DVD for Xbox 360, so I am fine with just a normal DVD-RW drive for now.

Thanks in advance

Dan

[dirky]

Do you have a HDTV? Seperate amp etc?
Do you have a size of case in mind?
Could be worth looking at the Atom 330, built in bluray etc. Plenty of guides about setting up xbmc plus will do 1080p via on board graphics.

This is the bluray one, but you can get one without bluray:
http://www.scan.co.uk/Products/ASRoc...ay-Combo-Black

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Hi

I'm thinking of building an HTPC for my room - my current PVR is starting to show signs of age, and I want to be able to replace both that, and rip a load of my dvds to hard drive so I can store them in the loft. I'm planning on using external hard drives for that.

I'm also unsure whether to go for a Windows or Linux build (Not used Linux before, but am tempted due to the cheaper cost!)

Can anyone suggest a good spec build? Would like the option of HD playback for the future, but I have both a PS3 and the HD-DVD for Xbox 360, so I am fine with just a normal DVD-RW drive for now.

Thanks in advance

Dan

Why don't use the PS3 or XBox 360 as a media centre:

http://www.digitaltrends.com/gaming/...playstation-3/

You can stream the files off an NAS,server or even your computer to your TV via one of the consoles.

The PS3 can play Blu-Ray also.

[Sepulchasm]

Do you have a HDTV? Seperate amp etc?
Do you have a size of case in mind?
Could be worth looking at the Atom 330, built in bluray etc. Plenty of guides about setting up xbmc plus will do 1080p via on board graphics.

That looks like a good start - like I said, bluray not an issue at the moment as the PS3 is next to the tv anyway...

Will that spec be good enough to record tv using a tv tuner card?

I'm planning on using external hard drives to keep dvd rips, so that isn't an issue.

Haven't really got a case in mind - would like it to be relatively quiet, obviously, but as I'm used to the 360 running, it doesn't have to be silent!

I've got a Samsung full hd tv with a spare hdmi port. I don't have a separate amp.

I've looked at streaming, but I only have a laptop which I quite often need to be doing work on while I have the tv on in the background, so don't want to use any of it's resources. And I'm looking for both a one-box solution, and a project.

[dirky]

It should be good for TV capture, hopefully someone else can help you with that as I've never done it. Never found a show good enough to capture! especially with iplayer/on demand now.

[Shooty*]

This is the one I built a year ago:

http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-hardwa...ch-happen.html

I toyed, recently, with getting an ITX with an atom, but as I run Vista, I didn't think it would be powerful enough (i.e. I'm sure it could run it, but I didn't fancy waiting 10 minutes for a boot). Like you, I have all my DVDs ripped, and I hve them on a windows home server which I link over homeplug networking. It's at 3.5tb at the moment.

Beware: If you're planning on using Media Centre, it will NOT play ripped VIDEO_TS DVD folders from an external driver. Media player does not like them on external drives. ISOs will be fine, but clearly, you'll have to mount them, and that can be a faff. I just have mine in naked folders: makes it lots easier. Media Centre does not see a server as an external drive, so no problems streaming like that.

What else.... my case is quite big, I suppose. The ITX has the value of teeny tiny cases, which is nice, but I also use this rig for WorldWide Telescope and, occassionally, AudioSurf, so I like having the "oomph" that it's got.

Hope that helps. Apologies if it's a bit hit and miss, but I'm moving house next week, and am currently sat with the phone to one ear, cancelling sky.

[CAT-THE-FIFTH]

Why does the OP need an HTPC when they can use their consoles to do the same job??

[Shooty*]

*shrug*

Don't ask me, mate, I just work here.

[Sepulchasm]

Why does the OP need an HTPC when they can use their consoles to do the same job??

Well like I said in an earlier post, it's partly to give myself a project, and partly to replace my current freeview recorder which is dying with a one-box solution.

And I'm not overkeen on streaming for the reasons I gave earlier.

[shadowmaster]

I built one recently, have a look http://forums.hexus.net/hexus-hardwa...dget-htpc.html

Plays everything including 1080p mkv's