A confused novice?

whowantstwoknow

hi all,

I am in the process of getting an extension added to my house and would like to use one of new rooms as an entertainment room. I have been reading online about HTPC, but to be honest I just seem to be going around in circles, and I'm not sure what I should be doing. So I be grateful for any advice.

I have bits of equipment that should hang together, but I'm not too sure how/where to start. So here's what I have:

1) PC: Aldi/Medion 8800: currently only used as a desktop, Windows XP. It has the OS HD (250GB), a Data HD (250GB) and an external USB backup HD (250GB) & 3GB RAM. link to specification
2) Arcam AVR200
3) Arcam DV88
4) Mordaunt Short Genie sub/satellite speakers
5) Chrous Digital

I also have another spare desktop (again windows XP) that could potentially be used as a fileserver. I currently have no cabling installed to provide a LAN, but with the new extension I have the chance now to install a network and also hide the speaker cables.

Should I use the Arcam components or use/find suitable alternative components/cards to add to the 8800? It would be nice to have a all-in-one solution, I even wouldnt mind selling on the arcam if that was possible (i.e save on space).

I dont currently have a LCD TV, but if thats the only main component to purchase, even better. What should I look out for in terms of specifications? Any recommendations?

Again, thanks for any advice offered.

Cheers

Mike

Tom Dunne

madunphy wrote:

1) PC: Aldi/Medion 8800: currently only used as a desktop, Windows XP. It has the OS HD (250GB), a Data HD (250GB) and an external USB backup HD (250GB) & 3GB RAM. link to specification

You seem to have everything you need right there!

What you may need is the software - try Media Portal or GB PVR. The software will bring all the components together and perform the HTPC function.

You will need to plug Chorus Digital into the PC to get it to display a TV signal.

I can't really advise you on TV as I use a projector.

8T8

1) That'll do fine as a PC though obviously you can build systems which have a much more AV look to them but that would require purchasing new hardware.

2) The Arcam AVR200 has SPDIF inputs* all you need is a sound card with a matching SPDIF output to connect them. Your current PC may or may not have this but you can always get a proper sound card for the job. You can also connect up via analogue if you have the ports spare on the AVR200 & assuming the sound card in the Medion has the analogue surround sound outputs if not you just going to have to make do with stereo.

* Optical or coax SPDIF as some sound card do one or the other however you can get ones that do both.

3) The Arcam DV88 doesn't really factor into the picture it is a standalone DVD player.

4) The speakers are routed through the AVR200 I assume so once the PC is plugged into the receiver it will simply pass through to the receiver.

5) Chorus digital's output can only be recorded by converting the scart signal into s-video or composite best buy either this or one from Maplins (link gone from site) to do the job if you want the better quality scart RGB to s-video conversion. All you do then is plug the cables into the tuner in the PC and your ready to go, read here for more info.

For display purposes obviously an LCD TV is the easiest as most come with a VGA/DVI connection that allows easy hookup. Though many Plasmas and projectors now also come with these connections & HDMI can also be used as well.

This is a personal opinion but I like Samsung LCD HDTV displays very good picture quality though it will show all the flaws in the Chorus digital signal as it is so sharp. That can be countered by fiddling with the display settings but by only so much. They also come with a good range of inputs and the latest generation have a handy auto adjust feature on the VGA connection. When you plug in the PC to the VGA connection it will automatically stretch the desktop to the full size of the screen no matter the resolution so no little black bars or edges visible at the side.

As for software well as you already have XP GB-PVR and Media Portal are worth trying out & have a easy enough learning curve though if you are a complete novice at this Windows Media Centre may be a better choice.

If you do go the MCE route you need tuners that are MCE compliant to work though so I doubt the Medion has one which means buying a new one along with the MCE operating system in this case you may as well get the latest version of MCE that comes with Windows Vista.

Any more questions fire away..

MAJJ

Hi Mike,

In addition to the other posts from the very helpful folks here.

I too have a medion, slighty newer the 8818, but there is a wealth of info. here http://medion.adslweb.co.uk/phpbb2/viewforum.php?f=36

Cheers,
MAJJ

whowantstwoknow

Thanks All,

I guess the ARV200 is required for the amp, right? I'll start reading those links and other threads in here as well.

Do people think it would be wise to use the other PC as a disk storage say for CD's, DVD, Pictures, TV recording? and if so should I hard wire it to the HTPC? What lan cables should I use as I need to get them installed before 2nd fixing on the extension. Though if I do this it would mean I need 2 pc on...?

Cheers

Mike

8T8

If you use a PC as storage then yes it will have to be powered on for the content to be accessible over the network.

You may want to consider simply purchasing large hard drives and fitting them to the HTPC instead for storage purposes.

Alternatively use NAS (Network Attached Storage) basically a device that sits on your network and holds a bunch of hard drives in it that can be shared out over the network. The obvious benefits of course are that you can leave it on as long as you want and no where near as noisy as a PC & anything on the network can read the content on it.

Downside is cost NAS is not cheap and of course will need to be populated by hard drives.

If you plan on putting your DVD's on the hard drive in original form then you will need lots of space as the average DVD is 6-7GB these days so factor in the size of your collection and disk usage can go through the roof.

For cabling CAT5e will do the job just fine if you are laying down cables though wireless will also suffice. Maplins sell wall jacks for ethernet ports giving it a nice look like a telephone cable along with the CAT5e cable as well.

You'll need a hub/switch or router with a power source where all the ethernet cables converge so don't forget that as well. If you have DSL broadband you could tie it altogether into one device like one of these.

whowantstwoknow

Hi 8T8,

thanks for all your insight, even if its zipping past over my head!!. Seeing that the medion I have has software installation(s) that I use say in a PC mode, I'm now thinking of leaving it as a software/internet PC and building a dedicated HTPC. Now if this means I can take components (not currently inuse on the medion for the new HTPC more the better).

Again as a total novice and reading threads like http://www.boards.ie/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=2055052437
would you mind suggesting components for such a build (to complement the AVR200), lets say a similar budget (€1K) as in the linked thread.

Thanks

Mick

whowantstwoknow

Right to see if I'm going along the right lines and to produce a useful HTPC while saving money on the kit, here's an initial list of components I think I can reuse:

1) Recently added 1GB of RAM to internet PC, I assue I can remove and contribute to the HTPC. I guess it would need to be compatible with the motherboard of the HTPC.

2) Can this be reused/Useful:

8MB cache S-ATA 150 interface
Super fast 7,200rpm
3 x DUAL TV-TUNERS READY

3) Would moving the graphics card NVIDIA® G-FORCETM 6700XL HIGH-END DVI/VGA GRAPHICS CARD save much and replace with a more suitable card for the internet PC?

4) take the wireless card for the HTPC

5) take the DVD player (if suitable), must get the make...

As for what I'd need would be:

1) casing
2) motherboard kit
3) disk
4) sound?
5) Vista

Anyhow, thats a start from what I can see, I need to dash, so will continue later..

Thanks

Mick

8T8

1) Yes but this influences the type of CPU & motherboard you will need to get the current type is DDR-2 and the prior DDR is not compatible.

2) Yes it can.

3) Yes take the 6700 and put it in the HTPC if it is fanless if not fanless consider buying a cheap fanless one instead as noise is a priority.

4) If space in HTPC case then yes that will work.

5) Yes you can take the DVD drive.

As for what I'd need would be:

1) casing - Antec Fusion - HTPC look takes mATX motherboards.

2) motherboard kit - This board has everything you need + integrated graphics to handle Vista UI & slot for future graphics card plus has built in HDMI output perfect for HDTV's (features list).

3) disk - You already have one you can use however a 500GB Samsung Spinpoint is quiet and generous with space.

4) sound? - Built into motherboard I picked out has an optical SPDIF output so you can tie it into your own sound system.

5) Vista - Can be bought online Home Premium is sufficient OEM or retail will do, with retail it is easier to re-install OS without having to call MS.

Go with whatever Core 2 Duo CPU you want but the E4300 should be sufficient for all general tasks with the exception of Blu-ray/HD-DVD.

whowantstwoknow

Thanks for the links,

Sorry if I appear to be asking too many questions (and not doing enough searching) but I'm currently restricted to about 40 minutes online access per day!! and have so much to do in that time.

I'm not experienced enough with all the cpu/motherboard technologies and am just matching up the terms I see on the pages, but this link is for the memory that I purchased recently http://www.crucial.com/eu/store/partspecs.aspx?imodule=CT2KIT12864AA53E

it says its DDR II SDRAM which is also referred to on the motherboard specs. Unfortunately www.crucial.com doesnt appear to refer to that ABIT motherboard either...

I'll try and do some more research tomorrow...

Thanks

Mike

8T8

That memory you linked to is compatible that is DDR-2 533 & will work with the Abit motherboard no problem.

Crucial RAM tends to have a very high compatibility factor so even if a particular motherboard isn't listed 99% chance Crucial will work in it.

whowantstwoknow

blowing off the dust on this one guys,

This task has been put on the extra long finger and to date has never got done.

Now I'm not confident of doing this right myself and I cant afford paying a retail outlet, so was wondering 2nd hand?

Came across this kit for sell and would appreciate any feedback as to its suitability with regard to my setup described in this thread. I haven't done a complete search of the adverts.ie so will report any other suitable options in due course

Your expertise would be very much appreciated.

Mike

bazwaldo

Looks like good value. No mention of an OS though. If blank, you'll need to config all this yourself and for Windows it will cost on top of this.

Hardware wise, if using with NTL it should work.

whowantstwoknow

Update...

Bought the above kit, now I need to get it connected!!! It came with Vista so has media centre installed.

I have a scart to composite cable (audio L&R, video), which I guess I can use to connect the NTL set top box to the PC TV tuner. Now my TV can accept a full HD signal (though it will scale it down).

Now I'm unsure how best to connect the the PC to the TV. Is it a HDMI D-SUB cable I need? I ask as there is also a HDMI connection on the back (as adverted). So can this be used instead to connect the PC to the TV? Is this the preferred option? Or is this only used to transmit the DVD/blueRay output?

As an aside, would one tend to watch NTL via the PC connection? What happens when you are recording? Switch to the analogue feed? If so does anybody know if I can replace the NTL wallplate with one that comes with a splitter? The NTL plate has another output for radio but I connected to that checking if I could get a signal but no joy?

Thanks
Mike.

whowantstwoknow

8T8 wrote: »

1) That'll do fine as a PC though obviously you can build systems which have a much more AV look to them but that would require purchasing new hardware.

2) The Arcam AVR200 has SPDIF inputs* all you need is a sound card with a matching SPDIF output to connect them. Your current PC may or may not have this but you can always get a proper sound card for the job. You can also connect up via analogue if you have the ports spare on the AVR200 & assuming the sound card in the Medion has the analogue surround sound outputs if not you just going to have to make do with stereo.

* Optical or coax SPDIF as some sound card do one or the other however you can get ones that do both.

3) The Arcam DV88 doesn't really factor into the picture it is a standalone DVD player.

4) The speakers are routed through the AVR200 I assume so once the PC is plugged into the receiver it will simply pass through to the receiver.

5) Chorus digital's output can only be recorded by converting the scart signal into s-video or composite best buy either this or one from Maplins (link gone from site) to do the job if you want the better quality scart RGB to s-video conversion. All you do then is plug the cables into the tuner in the PC and your ready to go, read here for more info.

For display purposes obviously an LCD TV is the easiest as most come with a VGA/DVI connection that allows easy hookup. Though many Plasmas and projectors now also come with these connections & HDMI can also be used as well.

This is a personal opinion but I like Samsung LCD HDTV displays very good picture quality though it will show all the flaws in the Chorus digital signal as it is so sharp. That can be countered by fiddling with the display settings but by only so much. They also come with a good range of inputs and the latest generation have a handy auto adjust feature on the VGA connection. When you plug in the PC to the VGA connection it will automatically stretch the desktop to the full size of the screen no matter the resolution so no little black bars or edges visible at the side.

As for software well as you already have XP GB-PVR and Media Portal are worth trying out & have a easy enough learning curve though if you are a complete novice at this Windows Media Centre may be a better choice.

If you do go the MCE route you need tuners that are MCE compliant to work though so I doubt the Medion has one which means buying a new one along with the MCE operating system in this case you may as well get the latest version of MCE that comes with Windows Vista.

Any more questions fire away..

Sorry for the continued questions but I'd really like anybody to confirm how best to get this all connected as I dont want to purchase the wrong cable(s)? I've re-read the quoted reply. So just to confirm:

1) STB doesnt have s-video out, just RF out, 2xSCARTs, audio L&R

2) The PC Tuner has composite video, audio L&R

3) PC has a SPDIF out and also HDMI (which I assume is output?)

4) I already have a SCART --> composite video, audio L&R cable

So I guess I can use the cable to connect the STB to the PC tuner. But what output(s) do I use to:

1) connect TV? Is it PC HDMI --> TV HDMI

2) connect PC to receiver? Is its the SPDIF out? But where does that go to on the receiver? Manual and connection details can be found here

I guess I can use the RF out on the STB to feed analogue to the TV (when the digital is being recorded, so no need for a splitter)?

Any expert advise would as always be appreciated.

Thanks
Mike