HTPC Advice

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soulman

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I've decided to build my own HTPC that will be running media center, and connected directly to my 32" LCD TV (HDMI+VGA+s-video),

Recording from TV/PVR functionality isn't essential at this stage, but most important is a wide range of support for video filetypes/codecs.

Do I need an amp with SPDIF IN to connect to my HTPC for sound, or is there some way that I can connect it to my 5.1 speaker setup's stereo (L/R) composite inputs?

I suppose connecting an S-video cable from the gfx card to the LCD TV would work (for video only)?

Any advice much appreciated:)'

ps. Alternatively- should I just get the iptime HV0102?
 
I have an HTPC connected to my Samsung 32” LCD TV. I use a Yamaha Receiver that takes coaxial and optical is the main sound controller.

From the HTPC:

- Audio Out is from S/Card SPDIF into Yamaha Receiver Optical In.
- Audio In is from DSTV RCA Stereo into the Soundcard Line In.
- Video Out is from Grafix Card DVI out into LCD TV PC In.
- Video In is from DSTV RCA into TV Card RCA In.

If my Yamaha supported S-Video In, alternatively, I could have Video Out from Grafix Card S-Video into Yahama S-Video In.

To answer your question, you probably need an AMP to get out the most from this setup.

Since recording from TV isn’t essential, something like the HV0102 could do for you. For a person who wants a simple plug&play thing, it’s a way to go. The only drawback about embedded hardware codec in my experience has been their limited codec support.

The HTPC Setup needs a little bit of work to get it up and running. But once its running, its expandable as your budget allows it.

For your interest, my HTPC system cost 10K to setup. I started from a base system and added extras over a year.

- Budget Core 2 Duo CPU and Low end Motherboard
- 1GB RAM
- 500GB HD
- Vista MCE
- Wireless Mouse, Keyboard, Network, Internet
- Microsoft MCE Remote
- Thermaltake HTPC Bach Series Box with Remote
 
Wow, what an answer!:)

Thanks, that helps alot.

You mentioned:
"- Audio Out is from S/Card SPDIF into Yamaha Receiver Optical In. "

That would mean that without a receiver, I wouldn't have any sound. Just had a look at receiver prices, cheapest goes for R3,500 ouch:eek:

Is there no way to connect the PC sound audio out to the speakers via stereo (L/R) red+white RCA cables? Alternatively, can I get cheap 5.1 speakers with optical in somewhere (less than R1000)?

Ps. great system you have there!
 
I use a Creative DDTS-100 (sub R1000) and it works very well. Basically it takes all sorts of inputs and feeds audio out to normal 5.1 speakers ala Creative speakers etc (normal headphone type plugs in other words)

You can also get a headphone to red/white RCA cable but thats not 5.1 and of course its always better to decode DTS from optical out.

My setup (brief):
High spec PC (AMD X2 5200+, 2GB RAM, few hard drives, DVDRW)
40" Samsung LCD on RGB cable (no HDMI since onboard graphics, no difference really and I'm not a gamer)
Audio via Creative Audigy 2 NX (optical out to DDTS-100 as mentioned above)
Creative DDTS-100 Audio Decoder (does do coax input from DSTV but with the PVR card, it is just not in synch due to in-built recording for pause function etc)
MS Media Centre Remote
Hauppage PVR-150MCE TV card (acceptable, slightly blurry picture..) + DSTV input via RGB yellow + L/R audio
Creative 5200? Speakers (had a low budget at the time)
Antec NSK2400 (I think..) case
Bluetooth mouse+keyboard (Microsoft, acceptable I guess)
MSI PC54G2 wifi card to connect to the net/LAN (any will work really, mine has shoddy Vista drivers)

All above assembled in various phases...
 
Last edited:
great stuff:)

i can't seem to find thte DDTS-100 anywhere on its own, only for sale bundled with speakers at R2k.

how does power consumption compare with a normal mvix/iptime?

thanks again.
 
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