hTPC , general discussion (long)

[simas]

Thank you for suggestions.
Now re-considering the dual core CPUs for the build.

My existing computer already has the following components
CPU : ADM X2 3800+ (939)
MB : DFI DAFG
RAM : 2 GB
Video : 7800 GT
Sound : Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS
DVD: NEC 3510
HDD : few old PATA (for OS). I also have Seagate 7200.10 320 GB (2 of them) that I have not done anything with yet.
Tuner: Vbox DTA 150?

and it looks like I can reuse most of it for GBPVR built by adding the
case: Silverstone Lascala LC17
CPU cooler : not decided
Receiver : Yamaha or Onkyo
Speakers : not decided
TV : not decided, considering one of the Spectre 37'' LCD 1080p models


My questions, request for comments
1) If I can , I would love to avoid buying another video card right now until HDMI becomes more standard and bugs are worked out (besides NVIDIA comes out of G80 for the holidays and prices would drop for G70). Anybody had any luck getting GT7800GT to run silently? Or would that be extreme overkill for HTPC aimed for 1080i HDTV?
2) I have read various comments about Seagate 7200.10 drives are being too noisy, what are your experience?
3) Can anybody tell me why people are getting "normal" (non HDTV) capture cards? I.e. why would I go buy Nvidia Dual card if all I intend to watch is OTA ATSC? Any reason people are putting "standard" TV capture cards in their setup?
4) Choice of speakers, what do you use and how do you like it?
I am considering going with dedicated receiver unit and pass that data to the speakers in the living room.

[gEd]

Thank you for suggestions.
Now re-considering the dual core CPUs for the build.

My existing computer already has the following components
CPU : ADM X2 3800+ (939)
MB : DFI DAFG
RAM : 2 GB
Video : 7800 GT
Sound : Sound Blaster Audigy 2 ZS
DVD: NEC 3510
HDD : few old PATA (for OS). I also have Seagate 7200.10 320 GB (2 of them) that I have not done anything with yet.
Tuner: Vbox DTA 150?

that's a heck of a rig for gbpvr!

and it looks like I can reuse most of it for GBPVR built by adding the
case: Silverstone Lascala LC17

be very careful which cooler you go for as the big ones such as the artic freezer can (apparently) interfere with the brace bar on the LC17 (which I have)

Anybody had any luck getting GT7800GT to run silently? Or would that be extreme overkill for HTPC aimed for 1080i HDTV?

well they sell a silent one so it much be possible but i can't see any passive aftermarket coolers. Other than watercooling, the zalman vga coolers should be very quiet. but then, that's not the same as silent tho is it.

3) Can anybody tell me why people are getting "normal" (non HDTV) capture cards? I.e. why would I go buy Nvidia Dual card if all I intend to watch is OTA ATSC? Any reason people are putting "standard" TV capture cards in their setup?

er... because we can't get HDTV in the UK !

[Ted the Penguin]

3) Can anybody tell me why people are getting "normal" (non HDTV) capture cards? I.e. why would I go buy Nvidia Dual card if all I intend to watch is OTA ATSC? Any reason people are putting "standard" TV capture cards in their setup?

because not every channel is in HD, and people want to use GBPVR for all of their tv viewing, aka all those dumb shows my gf watches on mtv

4) Choice of speakers, what do you use and how do you like it?
I am considering going with dedicated receiver unit and pass that data to the speakers in the living room.

go to avsforum, they are really good for figuring out what you want to get for speakers, if you have a few hours. or if you want some help from me, I will need a budget.
to start you out a decent speaker set that is an improvement ovr HTIB speakers is the Athena Micra 6 set at BestBuy, that is probably the cheapest decent system you can find. if you want more power, you will need to start getting things individually.

[simas]

go to avsforum, they are really good for figuring out what you want to get for speakers, if you have a few hours. or if you want some help from me, I will need a budget.
to start you out a decent speaker set that is an improvement ovr HTIB speakers is the Athena Micra 6 set at BestBuy, that is probably the cheapest decent system you can find. if you want more power, you will need to start getting things individually.



Thank you for suggestions,my budget for the audio side (speakers+ receiver) is <$1,000 so I am considering Athena products.
I do not know how Athena Micra 6 compares to getting it separately (i.e. getting 4 AS-B1/2 + AS-C1).

Looking for receiver recommendation within $200-350 range (it will receive sound directly from the motherboard over digital connection).


thank you
Simas

[Ted the Penguin]

how about I let you know what I am thinking of getting for a receiver.
Onkyo TX-SR503, can be had for $200 refurbished directly from onkyo. over at AVS forum people seem to like this one.
since you have a larger budget you could probably get separate components
such as
Bic Acoustech Cinema Series H100 Sub (this is pretty highly reccomended at avsforum)

seriously, just go to avsforum and look around the audio section, it takes a little time, but you will learn