Looking for advice on HTPC...

Motoman · 13th Apr 2008, 02:50 AM

...when building an HTPC that you're going to want to do Tivo-like stuff with, what kind of TV tuner and/or Video card should I be looking for? Any advice on easiest cards/software that would work nicely with my DirecTV setup?

Adrian Wong · 13th Apr 2008, 03:40 AM

You should not need a powerful graphics card. Look for one that supports HD decoding (if you are looking to do that) or at least the output options you are looking for (HDMI?). To keep noise down, it should have a passive cooler or one with a quiet fan.

Motoman · 13th Apr 2008, 03:46 AM

I'm thinking I probably will try some gaming on it, since it will be there...

...looks like an 8800GT might be my best bet, as it has HDMI capability and can be had for about $200.

What about the TV tuner card? Any thoughts? I'm not current on them...

Zenphic · 13th Apr 2008, 03:54 AM

If you didn't get a mobo yet, a motherboard equipped with a 780G chipset seems to be the best way to go for an HTPC while being energy efficient and easy on the wallet. Something like a Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H or an ASUS M3A78-EMH. It comes with an onboard video card that is good enough for HD video playback. Both are equipped with an HDMI port.

Tuner card, I have no idea.

Software, I think you go with Windows MCE 2005 OS. I'm not sure if Vista has anything similar

The_YongGrand · 13th Apr 2008, 08:31 AM

I think you need not an 8800GT for a HTPC - any graphics card like Radeon 2600Pro with HDMI or other special video input will be fine.

Even casings for HTPC are very unique - the Thermaltake Bach/Mozart will look comfortable on the living room.

werty316 · 13th Apr 2008, 09:27 AM

I second this with going with a HD2600 card for a HTPC.

Lacus · 13th Apr 2008, 03:16 PM

Hmm, getting a new motherboard like Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H will work well though. You don't need to get a 8800 since it actually generate a lot of heat and not recommanded on HTPC systems. I agree with Zenphic too. And for your information, getting the Gigabyte motherboard and adding another 3400 or 2400 series gpu card actually enhance the performance of the gpu

. Tv tuner?Hmm, will getting a USB tuner card will be more than enough for ya?

The_YongGrand · 13th Apr 2008, 11:15 PM

Newer boards have integrated HDMI and even audio outputs. At this way, there's no need for a seperate graphics card if can.

Adrian Wong · 14th Apr 2008, 12:48 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by The_YongGrand

I think you need not an 8800GT for a HTPC - any graphics card like Radeon 2600Pro with HDMI or other special video input will be fine.

Even casings for HTPC are very unique - the Thermaltake Bach/Mozart will look comfortable on the living room.

Yup, that's true. Unless you also want to play some 3D games on your TV!

hjlavery · 23rd Apr 2008, 11:51 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Motoman

I'm thinking I probably will try some gaming on it, since it will be there...

...looks like an 8800GT might be my best bet, as it has HDMI capability and can be had for about $200.

What about the TV tuner card? Any thoughts? I'm not current on them...

I have been using a LeadtekWinFast DTV1000 T and I havent had any problems with it...

13th Apr 2008, 02:50 AM	#1 (permalink)
Motoman Just Started Join Date: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 67 Reputation: 62 Rep Power: 0	Looking for advice on HTPC... ...when building an HTPC that you're going to want to do Tivo-like stuff with, what kind of TV tuner and/or Video card should I be looking for? Any advice on easiest cards/software that would work nicely with my DirecTV setup?

13th Apr 2008, 03:40 AM	#2 (permalink)
Adrian Wong Da Boss Join Date: 10 Oct 2002 Location: In front of my BenQ Joybook 7000 notebook! Posts: 29,436 Reputation: 2830 Rep Power: 63	You should not need a powerful graphics card. Look for one that supports HD decoding (if you are looking to do that) or at least the output options you are looking for (HDMI?). To keep noise down, it should have a passive cooler or one with a quiet fan. __________________ Dr. Adrian Wong Tech ARP \| Blog @ Tech ARP \| The Free Trade Zone DYKT : The only offshore account I have is at the sand bank? Keep Tech ARP free! Visit our sponsors! We need PROGRAMMERS and TECHNICAL WRITERS! Contact us if you are a hot shot programmer or technical writer! My items for sale : 50x SD Card \| Memory Stick PRO \| Cyclone Energy Saver \| Seiko SS watch \| Tiger/Carlsberg beer jugs \| Travel Speakers \| Motorola V600 \| Nokia N90 SOLD! \| New Lowepro Mini Trekker AW Other items for sale @ the FTZ : Zalman CNPS9500 LED @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7700 Cu @ $20 \| Zalman CNPS7000 Cu @ $20 \| Swarovski bracelet watches \| Dell 17" LCD \| Hi-Fi speakers \| English DIVX movies \| HP LaserJet toners! \| Office chairs

13th Apr 2008, 08:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
The_YongGrand Super Active Join Date: 12 Feb 2005 Location: Somewhere in 甲洞... Posts: 2,111 Reputation: 668 Rep Power: 12	I think you need not an 8800GT for a HTPC - any graphics card like Radeon 2600Pro with HDMI or other special video input will be fine. Even casings for HTPC are very unique - the Thermaltake Bach/Mozart will look comfortable on the living room. __________________ Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2140, 2GB DDR2-667 RAM, Asus P5NSLI, Sapphire ATi Radeon HD4850 512MB DDR3 AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+, 2GB DDR2-667 RAM, Biostar Geforce 6100 AM2, Galaxy Geforce 7300GT

13th Apr 2008, 09:27 AM	#6 (permalink)
werty316 Active Join Date: 3 Mar 2005 Posts: 642 Reputation: 138 Rep Power: 5	I second this with going with a HD2600 card for a HTPC. __________________ Guns don't kill people, Chuck Norris kills people!

13th Apr 2008, 11:15 PM	#8 (permalink)
The_YongGrand Super Active Join Date: 12 Feb 2005 Location: Somewhere in 甲洞... Posts: 2,111 Reputation: 668 Rep Power: 12	Newer boards have integrated HDMI and even audio outputs. At this way, there's no need for a seperate graphics card if can. __________________ Intel Pentium Dual-Core E2140, 2GB DDR2-667 RAM, Asus P5NSLI, Sapphire ATi Radeon HD4850 512MB DDR3 AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+, 2GB DDR2-667 RAM, Biostar Geforce 6100 AM2, Galaxy Geforce 7300GT

13th Apr 2008, 03:46 AM	#3 (permalink)
Motoman Just Started Join Date: 13 Jan 2008 Posts: 67 Reputation: 62 Rep Power: 0	I'm thinking I probably will try some gaming on it, since it will be there... ...looks like an 8800GT might be my best bet, as it has HDMI capability and can be had for about $200. What about the TV tuner card? Any thoughts? I'm not current on them...

13th Apr 2008, 03:54 AM	#4 (permalink)
Zenphic Active Join Date: 23 Apr 2006 Location: Quebec, Canada Posts: 694 Reputation: 176 Rep Power: 4	If you didn't get a mobo yet, a motherboard equipped with a 780G chipset seems to be the best way to go for an HTPC while being energy efficient and easy on the wallet. Something like a Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H or an ASUS M3A78-EMH. It comes with an onboard video card that is good enough for HD video playback. Both are equipped with an HDMI port. Tuner card, I have no idea. Software, I think you go with Windows MCE 2005 OS. I'm not sure if Vista has anything similar

13th Apr 2008, 03:16 PM	#7 (permalink)
Lacus Active Join Date: 28 Mar 2008 Posts: 704 Reputation: 128 Rep Power: 2	Hmm, getting a new motherboard like Gigabyte GA-MA78GM-S2H will work well though. You don't need to get a 8800 since it actually generate a lot of heat and not recommanded on HTPC systems. I agree with Zenphic too. And for your information, getting the Gigabyte motherboard and adding another 3400 or 2400 series gpu card actually enhance the performance of the gpu . Tv tuner?Hmm, will getting a USB tuner card will be more than enough for ya?

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