Home Theater PCs on Audiogon

cryotweaks · « **on:** 8 Nov 2004, 08:09 pm »

Anyone else see this?

http://cls.audiogon.com/cgi-bin/cls.pl?homevdeo&1105106693

I've been curious about these for awhile.

shokunin · « **Reply #1 on:** 8 Nov 2004, 08:45 pm »

Hey Mike,

Why not build one? I've built geez a dozen o so for friends and family, they are relatively easy to do, and there are TONS of info on the web to guide you through it.

that system is using a Creative Audigy soundcard... yikes, I'd rather seem something a bit better, Emu, RME, Lynx, or M-Audio.

cryotweaks · « **Reply #2 on:** 8 Nov 2004, 09:11 pm »

Building one was and still is a consideration. But between day job, remodeling my home and running Cryotweaks, I'm not to eager to get started.

VRS Systems seems to be the only player that caters to high end audio, but its just a little rich for my blood.

Rob Babcock · « **Reply #3 on:** 8 Nov 2004, 09:14 pm »

Nice looking PC, but it seems very expensive for what you get. I'm sure you could build a comparable machine for roughly $1500-2000 less. Or a better one for about the same coin. Not everyone is comfortable building one, and of course by buying you get warranty, support, etc. Also, it may have good proprietary software.

Still, I'd be more apt to just build one.

RooX · « **Reply #4 on:** 8 Nov 2004, 11:06 pm »

looks nice, but....

run, don't walk away from that sound card. definatly a dog of a performer.

cryotweaks · « **Reply #5 on:** 12 Nov 2004, 05:43 pm »

Okay, how about this setup.

Outboard power supply: SST-ST52F 520 watt Silent PSU

Outboard hard disk array: WD Caviar SATAs

A nice case for everything else: Accent HT400 with noise and vibration damping

Motherboard: Intel 925X/ICH6R Chipset

Processor: Intel 925x based with On-board Dolby Digital Live 2 Channel
Up-conversion

Memory: 1GB (2x512)mb Crucial Ballistix PC2 667

CPU: Intel LGA775 3.4

RAM: Crucial Ballistix 667 1 GB

CD/DVD Drive: Plextor 712 IDE

DVD Playback software: TheaterTek 2.0

Video Card: Radeon x800XT heat-pipe cooled

Sound Card: Lynx L22

...And for the Mrs.

DVR Solution: Single tuner standard definition Digital Video Recording solution with S-Video inputs and ir blaster for control of an external DirecTV box

HDTV Solution: MyHD over-the-air receiver/recorder with small in-home HDTV Antenna

Of course I will make extensive use of ERS to minimize EMI/RFI inside the case as much as possible.

Thoughts?

shokunin · « **Reply #6 on:** 12 Nov 2004, 06:41 pm »

That's a nice beefy machine. With all that power, are you going to be using FFDshow? Otherwise 3.4ghz is quite overkill for just playind DVD"s and doing some MyHD recordoings, but it never hurts to have the latest and greatest.

I would also consider looking at Nvidia vs. ATi if you're using TT2.0 as it's based on nvdvd, which may favor the Nvidia GPU's more than ATI's. I'm currently using an ATI 9800 but am thinking of jumping ship back to Nvidia.

I thought about putting DVR functions in my HTPC, but our family just LOVES Tivo. For WAF and Toddler acceptance factor, the TIvo is great, espeically on DirecTV. For ease of use and quality on DirecTV you just can't beat a Tivo, heck I have three of them and am considering getting another HD Tivo.

That's just my 2 cents,

shokunin · « **Reply #7 on:** 12 Nov 2004, 07:07 pm »

Mike,
Forgot to ask, what will you using for a display?

cryotweaks · « **Reply #8 on:** 12 Nov 2004, 08:51 pm »

A toshiba 55" HD ready big screen. Why?

satfrat · « **Reply #9 on:** 13 Nov 2004, 05:42 am »

Quote from: cryotweaks

A toshiba 55" HD ready big screen. Why?

Will the Toshiba accept a computer signal? That's my upcoming Turkey Day dumb question special.

Regards, Robin

audioengr · « **Reply #10 on:** 13 Nov 2004, 06:28 pm »

Why dont you just buy a nice laptop and use a USB->S/PDIF converter or an AirPort Express?

With I tunes, you can store 1000 albums on 60 GByte disk, and it sounds superior to bit-perfect 16/44.1

TIC · « **Reply #11 on:** 14 Nov 2004, 04:35 am »

Another option that you may want to consider is the new HP Digital Entertainment Center. It runs MS Media Center Edition and is a full function HTPC. I saw one this week at my local computer store and it was pretty impressive.

Of course, it may not be as robust as a unit you build and choose components and software for, but it is a fully integrated unit with manufacturers support, etc.

The HPs start at $1499, are in a horizontal HTPC case with center loading CD/DVD drawer, have low RPM quiet fans, etc. Finally, a readily available HTPC that would look good on my audio equipment rack.

Enjoy,

TIC

shokunin · « **Reply #12 on:** 14 Nov 2004, 05:02 am »

Quote from: cryotweaks

A toshiba 55" HD ready big screen. Why?

I was wondering if you use the non-linear stretch (wide/zoom,etc) feature on your TV? I found out the hard way that it takes a heck of a lot more power using the non-linear stretch filter inffdshow, in which case a 3.4ghz would be just fine. I know my tv doesn't do stretch/zoom etc on any of HD inputs, HD15 VGA or DVI.

satfrat · « **Reply #13 on:** 14 Nov 2004, 07:03 am »

Quote from: satfrat

Quote from: cryotweaks
A toshiba 55" HD ready big screen. Why?
Will the Toshiba accept a computer signal? That's my upcoming Turkey Day dumb question special. Regards, Robin

My only reason for asking was I had my HTPC set up with Powerstrip so I could use my Sony XBR HD-ready direct view tv,,,,,,,bad idea.

It was a waste, I had resolution problems along with a overscan. I ended up picking up a used Sony 24" multiscan 16:10 monitor. Now i need to set up my Radeon X800 for 2 displays so I can watch DVD's on my HD-ready Sony. I hope you're able to avoid these hassles Mike with whatever you decide to purchase. BTW, as a reminder, you got a package arriving later this week.

Regards, Robin

cryotweaks · « **Reply #14 on:** 15 Nov 2004, 04:37 pm »

Quote from: shokunin

Quote from: cryotweaks
A toshiba 55" HD ready big screen. Why?

I was wondering if you use the non-linear stretch (wide/zoom,etc) feature on your TV? I found out the hard way that it takes a heck of a lot more power using the non-linear stretch filter inffdshow, in which case a 3.4ghz would be just fine. I know my tv doesn't do stretch/zoom etc on any of HD inputs, HD15 VGA or DVI.

Yes I do use the stretch. Good to know. thanks!

zybar · « **Reply #15 on:** 15 Nov 2004, 04:41 pm »

You sure you can stretch on HD input?

I haven't seen too many displays that do that...

George

cryotweaks · « **Reply #16 on:** 15 Nov 2004, 04:43 pm »

Quote from: TIC

Another option that you may want to consider is the new HP Digital Entertainment Center. It runs MS Media Center Edition and is a full function HTPC. I saw one this week at my local computer store and it was pretty impressive.

Of course, it may not be as robust as a unit you build and choose components and software for, but it is a fully integrated unit with manufacturers support, etc.

The HPs start at $1499, are in a horizontal HTPC case with center loading CD/DVD drawer, have low RPM quiet fans, etc ...

Yeah, the big boys will be coming out with their own versions I know. But they more than likely will not offer the quality of audio we all strive for. I am sure the video will be stunning however.

That being said, there are huge problems with EMI/RFI bouncing around inside a typical PC case. That is why I am going for an outboard power supply, and hard drive tower. I will also shielding the heck out of this thing, and making use of the available EMI/RFI diffusing/absorbing solutions currently available. Something I am sure that the big manufacturers won't be doing at the level I will be.

cryotweaks · « **Reply #17 on:** 15 Nov 2004, 04:46 pm »

Quote from: audioengr

Why dont you just buy a nice laptop and use a USB->S/PDIF converter or an AirPort Express?

With I tunes, you can store 1000 albums on 60 GByte disk, and it sounds superior to bit-perfect 16/44.1

I already do have a very nice laptop. But I need a solution that stays in one place, and does video. I will not be the only person using this, so...

The laptop solution might be great for my office though. Does it sound better than 24/192 upsampled CD?