Another project on the go is building a Windows Media Center PC.

I've done quite a lot of reaserch into what would work well together, and generally how to go about it, but I'm yet to decide on which case to use. My current choises are...

 

The AHANIX D.Vine D5

 

Or the Thermaltake Mozart VC4001SNS

Thermaltake's Mozart is cheaper, and comes complete with the preinstalled VFD panel, whereas the D.Vine is more expensive and the VFD panel is extra.

 

The spec for the rest of it should be............

Intel Pentium 4, 3.4 Gb processor,

ASUS P5GD1 motherboard

Kingston 1 Gb DDR ram memory,

Seagate Barracuda 300Gb hard drive,

Soundblaster Audigy 4 sound card,

Connect 3d X700 Graphics card,

Avermedia DVB TV card (HDTV Ready),

LG Dual Layer DVD writer

 

What do you recon?? ;)

 

EDIT** Just added a Build Guide link to post 12 below.

the Ahanix looks the better of the 2 but personaly id go with the 2nd. The only thing id change is the sound card and go for the Creative X-Fi Elite Pro (http://www.creative.com/products/product.asp?category=1&subcategory=208&product=14064) as this will give you amazing audio if your going to link it up to a surround sound processor

Hi Dave,

 

This is a project I'm also looking into at the moment :)! One thing I thought I'd mention to you is that you may want to consider using two Avermedia DVB cards. That way you can still watch one channel whilst recording an other. This is what I intend to do but have yet to figure out whether the software can handle a twin-tuner setup.

 

Good luck!

 

Dan

Danny, as far as I'm aware it will support 2 x TV cards, as long as they are MCE approved (which the Avermedia one is) Originally I was going to go for two of these cards, but as the (propossed) new TV set-up is IDTV, and I'm still going to keep SKY, then I decided to do away with (and save a bit) the second card, also freeing up another PCI slot.

 

 

Lamp, as for the soundblaster, I picked this one out as I have a Sony surround sound processor, but it is a Dolby Pro-Logic processor, with 5.1 pass-through, so i just need a simple sound card with Dolby Digital and DTS decoding built-in.

Have you considered a 64-bit dual core processor? Not long until 64 bit Windoze is standard.

also where / how much you paying for media center? Im thinking of building a media center now ive got my xbox... take it you have thought of wifi in your build..

I'd not use a P4 for a HTPC, they need more cooling than either a Dothan or an A64 powered box, more cooling normally equals more noise. Nothing worse than trying to watch a film on a PC that sounds like it is going to take off any fly around the room!

 

@ Danny, Windows MCE 2005 can run up to four seperate tv tuners :eek: but it's best to make sure they are all the same type

well as most of you know, i run my own computer business and i do many things from coldroom servers to home automation systems and custom built home media systems also.

 

the most basic media system i do is based on a 64bit ideq system cube with 64bit amd processor and convection cooling with silent case fan. i sell quite a few of these and find them good, however i have seen a shift towards the hi-fi look cases for the installs i do with a system cabinet. however i have been fitting 1u rack units custom built for clients now. I also supply the control pads for those with cash to burn , the touch pad controls everything in the house from one tablet.

 

i am interested in the prices you guys are being quoted on these complete systems for building before you buy, i may be able to offer the same items cheaper. i have offered discount for forum subscribers..

this has been on my list for a while and your h/w kit looks good. what are you thinking for the os as I don't think you can buy windows media center edition in a box. I did download and try http://www.team-mediaportal.com/ but my current graphics card just wasn't up to the job - otherwise it looked good.

 

I also got confused about the sound card as I have a yamaha dolby digital 6.1 / dts amp - do I just need a card with a optical out to pass a digital source to my amps optical in?

i can supply oem versions of media centre

Thanks guys for the interest, never thought that so many of you were already thinking along the same lines.

 

I'll try to address a few of the mentioned issues here, as I see them.....

 

Using a P4.... I've read quite a few HTPC build guides, and although all of them mention about the noise levels, not one of them say that cooling a P4 is any more of a problem than any other, as long as you find good quality SILENT fans.

 

What OS am I using... I will be using Windows XP, Media Center Edition(2005). This is available from quite a few on-line (and probably high Street) retailers, as a OEM version, but normally ONLY if you pruchase a major component at the same time. I was intending to purchase most of my parts from Ebuyer.com, as they see to have the best overall prices.

 

Pk1, I'll contact you nearer the time of my build and see what you can do for price :D :bow:

 

Sound cards.... This is somthing that has been a pain in the ar5e for me as well. As for you having a separate Dolby decoder, then you should be able to use S/PDIF out from the sound card, or if your mother board has this, then use that and don't bother with a sound card at all. Saying that, I'm not sure what conections the S/PDIF uses, I'm sure someone on here can tell you.

 

WiFi... Yes I already have all the components for that :D

 

64 Bit... no I havent considered one, I think thats a little overboard for what i want at the moment.

For anyone interested in building one themselves, HERE is one of the How-To guides I've been reading.