Building a HTPC

[GFDuke]

Instead of integrating my gaming pc into my home theatre i've decided to build one since i have so much hardware just hanging around. Feel free to comment or suggest. This pc is for my music and blue ray movies. Using a 55" Samsung lcd via HDMI through my Sherwood 7.1 surround system. Is the 5850 overkill for a ht setup?

Case (on its way) - Lian-Li (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112228)
CPU - i5 661
GPU - Radeon HD5850
Motherboard - MSI H55-GD65 (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813130268R)
HD - OCZ Vertex ssd for the OS. Other files will go on a external hdd.
Ram and psu i have are plenty to run this setup.

[Witchdoctor]

Cool, What case did you go with

Overkill is what it is all about .............. :thumbsup:

I run a i950 and a 280 for e-mail and Office .. :laughing:

[GFDuke]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811112228

[Witchdoctor]

Wow, dam sexy, gotta love Lian Li

Best availible IMO

[rickss69]

Can't get any cheaper than this lol... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K4spLDtzkgk

[Witchdoctor]

:laughing:

Gots to have me one of dem

[GFDuke]

Ok got a problem. I'm using the HDMI output on my HD5850. I have it going into my Home theatre reciever and out to my LCD. I get a picture but i get no sound out of the reciever. I had the same problem with my Playstation and i ended up using the optical out for sound. But shouldn't i be able to get my sound from the HDMI through my reciever?

[Witchdoctor]

ATI's HDMI driver is a POS

I have read about many having the same problem on other forums ....

Maybee try a different one and if no luck I would call the bastards up if for no other reason to tell them their drivers blow ....

Hit an miss from what I have seen

[GFDuke]

I guess i'll have to use the optical out from the motherboard.

[OC Maximus]

Have you tried to uninstall sound drivers under device manager then reboot and let windows refresh the drivers on startup? I loose sound every once in a while through my htpc with a 4670 and that fixes the sound loss issue everytime.

[GFDuke]

Are you using HDMI output to a surround sound reciever OC?

[Splave]

you try right clicking the speaker in the lower right corner of taskbar and messing with playback devices

[Neuromancer]

Are you sure that your HDMI cable supports audio? Not all of them do.

IF the problem also exists on your PS3 I would blame the cable or the TV before the drivers.


No problems with HDMI output on my last 3 ATI cards.

[OC Maximus]

Are you using HDMI output to a surround sound reciever OC?
PC to TV input via HDMI
TV to Bose Cinamate via RCA

[Neuromancer]

Disable TV output to stereo. see if the TV plays any sound.

Go into Windows properties and check the audio device, you can test different configs, 44K to 192K output, Dolby, DTS etc.

[GFDuke]

I guess its possible my HDMI cable dosn't support sound. I ended up using the opticle output on the motherboard. It works fine. Awesome sound compared to the PStation. Blue ray video quality is about the same though. It still seems a little grainy. My 55" Samsung is 3yrs old. Maybe i need a new one. I'm running it in 1080. I see no difference in 1080p and 1080i.

[Witchdoctor]

I got an LG in June

LED with localized dimming = WIN

It simply is better than real life but srugles on non HD and standard def disc's

[GFDuke]

Disable TV output to stereo. see if the TV plays any sound.

Go into Windows properties and check the audio device, you can test different configs, 44K to 192K output, Dolby, DTS etc.

I was getting some sound from the tv. Although it was really faint.

[Neuromancer]

I was getting some sound from the tv. Although it was really faint.

Problem might be the TV then.

If you are using FFDshow codec you can override audio output settings, Such as always force AC3, and maybe that will allow your TV to pass the signal through.

I am not up on all the latest techs, I get the stuff working at my house and stop learning LOL

I know audio passthrough is pretty problematic at best with video cards, TV and Receivers though.

[kikicoco1334]

i been wondering about this for a little while now what's up with people building a such heavy duty setup for HTPC? i have never had a "real" HTPC before so i don't really know, my current movie computer is a Atom 330 and it really dose all i need it to do - play movies and still staid around $140 after shipping

[Neuromancer]

i been wondering about this for a little while now what's up with people building a such heavy duty setup for HTPC? i have never had a "real" HTPC before so i don't really know, my current movie computer is a Atom 330 and it really dose all i need it to do - play movies and still staid around $140 after shipping

HTPC is not just a video playback device. (those you can get for about $100, I use the WDTV Live HD :) )

HTPC is also about media storage, media sharing, recording broadcasts, converting formats. Many Audio video nuts also enjoy fine tuning their Video and Audio playback. Which requires a beefy CPU for 1080P and high bit audio.

(FYI, 1080P movies you download, is compressed. BDROMs are 25GB, 1080P movies in MKV are about 8GB, most people will not be able to tell the difference some will complain though).

That does not even include Flash playback (not happening on the ATOM I had). Nor does it include gaming which many people find much more enjoyable in a comfy chair with a 10' UI like console gamers. Because of the generally lower resolution (1368x768 for 720P TVs) an even more powerful CPU is needed to keep the GPU from starving.


All that said, no it is not necessary. My HTPC is a unlocked sempron 140 running on a 890GX with IGP. Handles media serving duties. It will run flash okay, Java apps are another story. That can completely bog down the system and make even streaming impossible.

But as a 2nd PC in the living room, it is handy when the kids are on the house PC, I can pop on the HTPC real quick to check stuff.

I pulled the tuner from my HTPC, so it is really just a media playback/server now. Depending on how H67 turns out and if they release cheaper CPUs with 12EU graphics I might go that route for HTPC :)

[GFDuke]

Problem might be the TV then.

If you are using FFDshow codec you can override audio output settings, Such as always force AC3, and maybe that will allow your TV to pass the signal through.

I am not up on all the latest techs, I get the stuff working at my house and stop learning LOL

I know audio passthrough is pretty problematic at best with video cards, TV and Receivers though.

I'm not trying to pass through the tv though. I had my HDMI from the 5850 going into my HT reciever then i am using the HDMI out on the reciever to my tv. Maybe i should set it up differently?

[Neuromancer]

Sorry I just reread thread and saw you mentioned that.

What model receiver are you using? If it is an older one it might not be compatible. There was some gripes about that a few years back when ATi first started doing it. IE RD740, DHR904 etc

"5850 supports 8 Channel Linear PCM, Dolby True-HD, and DTS-Master"

That said, DDT-HD and DTS-M are passthrough modes NOT going to turn a music file into those formats.

Are you just working with Windows sounds at this point?

If so try DDL and DTS formats and test those in surround mode. (via audio properties in control panel)

I never got to play with Receiver HDMI and am not looking forward to the day when I upgrade my receiver to HDMI, as not all of them will do it. At least according to the many frustrated users I have seen posting about it over the last couple of years.

I will help out how I can with info, since I have read up on it before, but going to a site like AVSforums or maybe even overclockers.com will get you the answers you want.

[kikicoco1334]

HTPC is not just a video playback device. (those you can get for about $100, I use the WDTV Live HD :) )

HTPC is also about media storage, media sharing, recording broadcasts, converting formats. Many Audio video nuts also enjoy fine tuning their Video and Audio playback. Which requires a beefy CPU for 1080P and high bit audio.

(FYI, 1080P movies you download, is compressed. BDROMs are 25GB, 1080P movies in MKV are about 8GB, most people will not be able to tell the difference some will complain though).

That does not even include Flash playback (not happening on the ATOM I had). Nor does it include gaming which many people find much more enjoyable in a comfy chair with a 10' UI like console gamers. Because of the generally lower resolution (1368x768 for 720P TVs) an even more powerful CPU is needed to keep the GPU from starving.


All that said, no it is not necessary. My HTPC is a unlocked sempron 140 running on a 890GX with IGP. Handles media serving duties. It will run flash okay, Java apps are another story. That can completely bog down the system and make even streaming impossible.

But as a 2nd PC in the living room, it is handy when the kids are on the house PC, I can pop on the HTPC real quick to check stuff.

I pulled the tuner from my HTPC, so it is really just a media playback/server now. Depending on how H67 turns out and if they release cheaper CPUs with 12EU graphics I might go that route for HTPC :)

oh damn i didn't know that!
well my 330 is a dual core with 60GB OS + 1.5TB 2GB of fake gskill pi lol
well... i may just have to rebuild a real HTPC now...

btw what's up with that BDRIP i know they are 25GB and the MKV files you download are 8GB are they much of a diff? and i have seen some of them that's 13GB stuff like that...

[Neuromancer]

The MKV rips are more than adequate for me. In fact I usually go with 720P rips as they are usually 4.5-6GB in size.

Some guys can see the differnce, I do not have a 1080P TV though, I do have a $300 1920x1200 res monitor I use, but never tried a true 1080P rip to see if it makes any video quality difference.

90% of the stuff I watch on the HTPC is either TV (1080i anyway) or even anamorphic SD. So, I probably would not even notice true 1080P.

Aficionados though will tell you there is a difference.

Another consideration is converting hte BDRIPs to another format for storage yourself. Doing it yourself ensures full control over the results :)

[kikicoco1334]

hmmm cuz like i can tell diff between 1080p and 720p on TV oh well...

[HITandRUN]

The MKV rips are more than adequate for me. In fact I usually go with 720P rips as they are usually 4.5-6GB in size.

Some guys can see the differnce, I do not have a 1080P TV though, I do have a $300 1920x1200 res monitor I use, but never tried a true 1080P rip to see if it makes any video quality difference.

90% of the stuff I watch on the HTPC is either TV (1080i anyway) or even anamorphic SD. So, I probably would not even notice true 1080P.

Aficionados though will tell you there is a difference.

Another consideration is converting hte BDRIPs to another format for storage yourself. Doing it yourself ensures full control over the results :)


I would say you will see quite a difference running 720p vs. 1080p on a 1920x1200 res monitor. I mean unless you blind ;)

My setup is as follows and has been running like this for approx. 4 years. Plays anything like a champ without skipping a beat. Its on the stock Intel cooler and not overclocked. Yeah I know shame on me! :D

E4300
Asus mini ITX mobo
2 GB of some cheap Corsair ram
WD 1TB + WD 700GB
8800GT
Coolermaster HTPC case (http://t1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcS0wDfp4Af7G58nOIGjZhnFwBDI-XDJfl_eHoRw2g5BezfEmHvI)
iMON 2.4G Remote Controller (http://img.tomshardware.com/us/2006/02/24/diy_home_theater_pc_part_2_the_quiet_and_powerful_ equation/mm-imon-dt2.jpg)
Boxee Sotware (http://www.boxee.tv/download)
ONKYO HT-S3300 (http://www.us.onkyo.com/model.cfm?m=HT-S3300&class=Systems&p=i)
Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-1150 TV Card (http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hvr1150.html)

[Neuromancer]

Dukester, sorry forthe OT posts, did you find out what model receiver you are using?

The fact that you are getting audio to your TV (faint though it is) is a good sign :)

[kikicoco1334]

here is what i have far as tv tuner gos..
i don't anything about them at all lol
any ideas?

WinTV-HVR-1600
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b102/ghostloveff/IMG_2690.jpg
WinTV-PVR-250MCE
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b102/ghostloveff/IMG_2689.jpg
ATi 550
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b102/ghostloveff/IMG_2687.jpg
Asus Combo 210E
http://i18.photobucket.com/albums/b102/ghostloveff/IMG_2688.jpg

[Neuromancer]

Not sure about the 3rd, the 1st is definitely good though. WinTV is trash. Might get $5 on ebay for it. NTSC is useless now, OTA is ATSC and even cable went digital (when they swore they wouldn't) )

[GFDuke]

Dukester, sorry forthe OT posts, did you find out what model receiver you are using?

The fact that you are getting audio to your TV (faint though it is) is a good sign :)

http://www.sherwoodusa.com/prod_rd7502.html#

[kikicoco1334]

Not sure about the 3rd, the 1st is definitely good though. WinTV is trash. Might get $5 on ebay for it. NTSC is useless now, OTA is ATSC and even cable went digital (when they swore they wouldn't) )
i wonder how the last one is
cuz seems to me that and the number 3 are the only two that fits right (pcie witch would go in to pcie16)

here is my current - it's a way overkill but that's the only full setup i have
Core i7 970
evga e758
kingston cheap 1600 got flashed to STT 2200 :P i'll take some pix when i get home lol
thermaltake vi case
audigy 2 zs with the sound blaster (it's older but nice! i got 2 of that and a xfi)
coolermaster geminii with twin antec tri blue 120mm with speed changer
went from Antec 850 down to 650w power now my 850 is only on bench :D
and enough hdds i can dive in it and hide and you'll never find me in it :rofl

don't have a video card working on it yet :laughing:

[Neuromancer]

http://www.sherwoodusa.com/prod_rd7502.html#

Dunno if you are running Windows 7 SP1 but there is an HDMI audio update for it.


http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=1317138


Also contact Stereojeff at AVSforum, he works for sherwood and can point you in the right direction :) (he still posts there, most recently last week)

Its an OLD unit so probably not even 1.3 compliant, and 99% of suggestions (for this or other receivers) is, run separate audio.

I have never had a receiver with HDMI output so when I wanted to control via TV volume, I run to TV and digital out from TV to receiver via SPDIF.

[GFDuke]

I think you're right. Being an older model its most likely not 1.3 compliant. Especially since the RD7503 has HDMI 1.3ver. listed in its specs and my 7502 dosn't. 7503 (http://www.sherwoodusa.com/prod_rd7503.html) I'm thinkin thats the newer model. lol I think i'll just stick with the Digital Optical out from the motherboard to the reciever since it sounds so freakin awesome anyway.
Thanks for the help Neuro. I appreciate it. :thumbsup:

[Neuromancer]

NP Duke

At kiki.

The first winTV (1660) or the last card (the ASUS one) are you best bets. Had a chance to look them up.

Depending on the board you are using, PCI might be easier than the PCIE one though. Not sure which of the two tuners is actually better, but AFAIK there is nothing to stop you from using both in case you want to record two HD channels simultaneously.

The other two are NTSC only.

Another option is sell them all and go for a single dual tuner ATSC card like the hauppage 1800 (IIRC).

Its a short lived investment though, and if you have Comcast, might be worth looking into a good mstream or cable card tuner. IF you want full DVR capability.