It's official. I need an HTPC.

[dvasco]

I like Volksman's idea more. He is already getting the Zalman cooler and that case is nice. I would prefer it in black though. There is already a long thread on quiet power supplies.

[volksman]

yeah...plus if you can get the unit to display channel number and volume level that would be awsome (might have to get dirty for that but hey...it's a hobby after all!)....I also like the idea of an external volume adjustment.

I had tossed around the idea of completely embedding the unit somewhere but that is too risky. I plan to move soon and right now I know how I'd do it but in a new house I have never seen I would have no clue. This way its portable without re-config. Plus I plan on buying a new TV and stand when I re-finance the mortgage and I have no clue what that will look like either.

Safest bet is a nice sexy little box I may spray black...AND! I could still hide this somewhere if I was so inclined...

Thanks for listening as I justify to you and myself my decision....

[volksman]

I'm really torn between the two boards. Reviews sort of neutralize both. Both seem to have RAM voltage issues of sorts. But that is mostly from cheap RAM from what I have read so I'll just be cautious when buying.

ASUS seems to lack some sound support. I'm only interested in 5.1. Currently I have a Klipsch 4.1 setup which is nice. But eventually I know I will buy a bigger TV and 5.1 surround setup and would like to hook that up to the HTPC. I've never done this before so can anyone tell me a) how that is done? what kind of connectors do I need on both the 5.1 setup and the puter end? and b) does the ASUS board support it? Abit seems to have the edge on sound.

However the Abit board doesn't provide SVID out. Which I use on my current setup because it gave me better picture quality on my TV. Is this something I would be concerned with if I buy say a 42" LCD? I assume I use the DVT output if I get an LCD. Can anyone confirm that?

Man it seems I'm totally out of date when it comes to the TV side. Maybe a trip to Futureshop is in order...

Also I think I'm changing case as well. Nmedia HTPC-280BAV4 seems to be a bit nicer than the fusion. Anyone have any experience with this case? I'm particularly interested in the VFD display. I know I would use it and it would be handy.


Thoughts?

[dvasco]

The Abit has S/PDIF out so you will supposedly have better sound with that once you have a setup that accepts S/PDIF. DVI would be the way to go with an LCD TV. I guess you would have to buy a video card for the current setup with the Abit board.

[-Oz-]

For the serial check for serial headers (my MSI has 1 which i use to my IR reciever and my ASUS has 2). Then just connect the serial cable to the header or build your own bracket. The antec cases rock btw.

And I have spdif out on my m2npv-vm btw. it was an add-on bracket but i had one laying around.

[dneprrider]

However the Abit board doesn't provide SVID out. Which I use on my current setup because it gave me better picture quality on my TV. Is this something I would be concerned with if I buy say a 42" LCD? I assume I use the DVT output if I get an LCD. Can anyone confirm that?

With an LCD or Plasma use the DVI or even VGA if available. Both provide better quality than using S-video. I upgraded to a 42" plasma to get the great picture quality the VGA output on my motherboard put out. No additional video card required. It all helps keep the power & cooling requirements down too.

[volksman]

Sweet...thanks for the info guys...looks like I'm leaning again to the ASUS side....I can't buy another vid card for a couple months use...just doesn't make sense to do so.

As for serial. Not really worried on that one...I'm sure that I can find a USB to serial for what I need.

And finally back to cases. Antec is my prefered choice but the nMedia case is just so damn sweet....I have a feeling that's what I will end up with...Still open to suggestion or comment though. Especially from anyone with hands on experience with a nMedia parts (PS and Case)....I plan to buy both nMedia right now....

[dvasco]

What I liked about the Fusion case is that it has 120mm fans which makes it quieter. There is another case I like also because it has a 120mm fan, but it is like a big shuttle and not as nice as the Fusion or nMedia, probably quieter than the nMedia. APEVIA X-QPACK http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.as...6811144162

[Torque]

I used a 60-80mm funnel to adapt those popular super quiet Panaflo fans on my Coolermaster. You cannot hear the case unless you're a ear is a foot away. I love it. BTW, links to pics are in my sig if you're curious.

[Torque]

BTW, had a fan start making noise in my wife's Antec SL400 power supply (dual fan model, one 80mm and one 92mm making noise). Since it has the 3 yr warranty, I RMA'd it, and they sent back a Smart Power 400W with two 80mm fans. I was thinkin' "ahh crap, how loud is this gonna be?". The thing is dead silent and runs cold. Perfect for the PVR... so needless to say, it went into the PVR and the other SL400 I had in the PVR previously went into my wife's machine.