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HTPC for Saorview & Freesat,

  • 26-05-2011 8:47am
    #1
    darth_maul
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 317 ✭✭


    Thinking of building a HTPC for Saorview & Freesat,

    What are the minimum specs required i.e.

    CPU, RAM, hdd size, graphics card and OS

    Also is the black gold the best or would I be better getting separate tuners for each.

    Thanks


Comments

  • #2
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,417 ✭✭✭✭watty


    Blackgold is overpriced.

    Dual tuner USB stick for DTT and 2 x DVB-S2 or dual DVB-S2 PCI or PCI-e internal cards for Satellite.

    DVBviewer + MHEG5 plug in. (Win7 or XP) Superior to MC in Windows 7. (Newer much improved version any day and upgrades are free)

    Windows7 or XP if you want MHEG5 to work.
    32 bit versions OS recommended. Less problems.

    Dual Core Duo or better. (The AMD Athlon 64 3700+ is not quite good enough, though when everything is tweeked it works. Some dual core Atoms + Nvidia ION "seem" good enough for RTE2 HD, but aim for a bit better)

    1G RAM XP or 2G RAM Win7 (only high end games need more RAM).
    (2G RAM XP, 4G RAM win 7 if using 64bit version).

    Win7 has suitable codecs included.
    XP needs CoreAVC (sometimes upgrades are free).

    Decent Nvidia GPU with CUDA. Minimum is GT210. RAM is unimportant unless High end gaming.

    Set Graphics to 1920x1080x50Hz progressive. ONLY.


  • #3
    darth_maul
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 317 ✭✭darth_maul


    thanks watty,

    how quiet would one of the above setups be in a living room environment, also are tweaks to quieten them down.


  • #4
    watty
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 32,417 ✭✭✭✭watty


    Noise:
    The fanless GPU/GFX still need a case fan
    The PSU usually needs a fan
    A decent CPU needs a fan
    The Hard Drives are noisy.

    We could not get it quiet. So put it in another room!
    http://www.techtir.ie/howto/hdmi-via-cat5-cable
    (the Attic or under stairs is possible)

    Up to 15m using
    2 x CAT5e for HDMI (audio via HDMI)
    1/2 of CAT5e for IR remote eye on PC. Other 1/2 used for 3.5mm jack for Line audio in or out.
    1 x USB repeater cable part way driving 4 way self powered hub at TV (Wired or wireless keyboard/mouse, USB BD/DVD drive etc)

    So four cables. Three holes drilled. You can't see the cabling anywhere except hall crossing at kitchen. I will fit a kitchen door "saddle" with underneath grooves and then it will be hidden in hall.
    It's technically possible to get upto 100m distance :)
    A local VGA screen running at 1920x 1080 x 50p and USB keyboard/mouse are also on cheap extension cables in same "room" as PC (actually my Radio Shack/Workshop).

    I tested a USB Soundblaster on the hub at TV with optical in from TV and optical out to Home Theatre, that works too. But the TV seems to be able to route the HDMI audio to the TV optical out into the Home Theatre 5.1/BD player (a lovely LG unit with ethernet only about £245 on Amazon).


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