Finally upgraded my HTPC setup

Finally ditched the old Kenwood Prologic receiver, here's what I'm running now.

A Sony STR DA3100ES.

Underneith it you can see the edge of my Silverstone Lascalla LC11 case.

Looks pretty mean.  How's it working out?

Nicer then I could ever have dreamed!  The sound is amazing and lush.  I haven't yet taken delivery of my new TV but here's an image of the setup right now.

Yes its a mess, but my livingroom is in flux as I am expecting my LCD on monday.

BTW Setup consists of the following

Sony STR DA3100ES
HTPC -AMD64 X2 2800+
          -2GB OCZ
          -ATI X1650 AGP
          -Chaintech AV710
Sony TC-FX600 tapedeck
Crap Sanyo 27" TV
Pioneer HPM 100 Mains
Kenwood Center, (both front and rear (modded))
Bose 161 Rears (normally I don't like Bose but they really do well in the rear

Not pictured:
Technics SL1500 Turntable (had it out of loop to be cleaned and new stylus)

Notes:  Creative sub in use as my sub (large black unit on floor) is awaiting a new plate amp because a friend stayed over the weekend and blew up the last plate amp.  The larger black sub is amazing nad I built it myself, I may still have the plans around here if anyone is interested.  Mind you I don't think I will be using it as this new receiver has enough current to drive the Pioneers so bass is no longer a concern.  Also please ignore Barbie movie playing I have two girls and wanted to have a few moments to myself :)  Also pictured is a storage server behind the right speaker.  Also the speaker 'stands' are temporary, until I can get around to building the final keepers

Looks great.

Thanks!

I have been thinking?  Whats everyone else running for HT around here?

Post some pics people, I am thinking mine is likely the most vintage gear around, lemme see!

I don't have one right now. I'm thinking about making my Pentium D rig into one. All I need is a better case and maybe throw in a core based pentium to curve the heat. You don't need a super fast rig unless your playing games on your HTPC.

Exactly, my HTPC started life as a AMD2400XP then was upgraded to be able to handle the demands of higher bitrate footage.  For the most part my X2-2800 does very little.  I expect that too change when the LCD and the blueray drive show up, but for now it spends most days near idle.

I'm still borderline on the bluray. Any good software out for it yet?

UHm, that I am not sure on, last I heard cyberlink has some stuff for it.  I have to be honest I really am not sure which way i want to go on that yet, a lil research and I will get back to you.

Mind you in watching the winners from the Intel contest, its noted the lappies there came with blueray support, we should ask Marco or Dave what software was used by the OEM's.

Although I have been reading it looks like when the BR player shows up here (future upgrade, in february) I will need to go with something boasting a bit more power.  According to my reading the X2 isn't gonna have what it takes.  However I will let you know.

Endersothergame:

Although I have been reading it looks like when the BR player shows up here (future upgrade, in february) I will need to go with something boasting a bit more power.  According to my reading the X2 isn't gonna have what it takes.  However I will let you know.

Cool get back to me. I heard cyberlinks software was not that great, but it has been a good while since I looked into it so I can't say that still holds true. 

Great HTPC! Which TV are you getting?

I have a 50" Sharp on the way, the new supr slim one with a stand that has a shelf above and below, so I can replace my older entertainment stand.  Pictures to follow when all is said and done.

This kills me, because all I want to do is spend some money now! (Money I don't have!)

Marco C:

This kills me, because all I want to do is spend some money now! (Money I don't have!)

I am totally understanding where you are!  I have been saving for months to be able to get to where I am. I am also buying the TV on payments to make it affordable(ironicly more expensive I think)

I have priced out what I need to upgrade my HTPC upgrades and its looking to be about 1000.00 or so, here's my wishlist that I shall be purchasing in the new year. (Piece 'buy' piece)

	Qty.	Image	Product Description	Unit Price	Savings	Total Price
	1		SILVERSTONE Silver Aluminum front panel, 1.0mm SECC body LASCALA LC13-S ATX Media Center / HTPC Case - RetailModel #:LC13-SItem #:N82E16811163043Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn Stock Note (Add) Save   Cancel	$119.99		$119.99
	1		ASUS M3A78-CM AM2+/AM2 AMD 780V Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - RetailModel #:M3A78-CMItem #:N82E16813131330Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return PolicyIn Stock Note (Add) Save   Cancel	$83.99		$83.99
	1		ZOTAC ZT-84SEH2P-FSL GeForce 8400 GS 512MB 64-bit GDDR2 PCI Express x16 HDCP Ready Low Profile Video Card - RetailModel #:ZT-84SEH2P-FSLItem #:N82E16814500046Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn Stock Note (Add) Save   Cancel	$46.99		$46.99
	1		AMD Phenom 9350e Agena 2.0GHz Socket AM2+ 65W Quad-Core Processor Model HD9350ODGHBOX - RetailModel #:HD9350ODGHBOXItem #:N82E16819103293Return Policy:Processors (CPUs) Return PolicyIn Stock Note (Add) Save   Cancel	$203.99		$203.99
	2		Kingston HyperX 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model KHX8500D2K2/2GR - RetailModel #:KHX8500D2K2/2GRItem #:N82E16820134586Return Policy:Limited Non-Refundable 30-Day Return PolicyIn Stock Note (Add) Save   Cancel	$35.99		$71.98
	2		Western Digital Caviar Black WD1001FALS 1TB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEMModel #:WD1001FALSItem #:N82E16822136284Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return PolicyIn Stock Note (Edit) Storage Drives Storage Drives Save   Cancel	$155.99	-$12.20 Instant	$287.58
	1		Seagate Barracuda 7200.10 ST380815AS 80GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s Hard Drive - OEMModel #:ST380815ASItem #:N82E16822148231Return Policy:Limited 30-Day Return PolicyIn Stock Note (Edit) Boot Drive Boot Drive Save   Cancel	$44.49		$44.49
	1		Sony NEC Optiarc Black 5X Blu-Ray DVD ROM & 12X DVD Burner SATA Model BC-5100S - OEMModel #:BC-5100SItem #:N82E16827118020Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn Stock Note (Add) Save   Cancel	$155.99		$155.99
Subtotal:						$1,015.00

I am leaning on AMD as it is more affordable then the QC2 offerings for CPU and motherboard

do you have any picutres of ths insides???

Insides of what? My current HTPC?  No, but its not really all that inspiring.  Here's a look at the inside of an LC-11 you can use your imagingation to fill in the blanks.

Here's a link to a review of the case, his setup looks very similar to mine, so it gives you a very good idea.  My receiver is 70 pds, I am feeling a bit too lazy to take it down to shoot some pictures. ;P

Cool things of note for this case, the motherboard mounts on the top/upside down, for better heat control, even if this case does seem to run a bit warm.

OK I have substituted the jaton 8400GS out of the system for this card, seemed like a better bet, and I thin this one might be able to handle light gaming as well.

	Qty.	Image	Product Description	Unit Price	Savings	Total Price
	Update		VisionTek 900245 Radeon HD 3650 512MB 128-bit GDDR2 PCI Express 2.0 x16 HDCP Ready All In Wonder Video Card - RetailModel #:900245Item #:N82E16814129115Return Policy:Standard Return PolicyIn Stock Note (Add) Save   Cancel	$231.99		$231.99

Loox like a good HTPC oriented card. Nice to have a remote!

Don't forget to post a pic when you get your new HDTV.