HTPC Building - A HotHardware How-To Video Spotlight

Another question regarding this build...can it be used to receive Netflix over the Internet? A DVR perhaps? Am I getting greedy??

gator_grabber:

Another question regarding this build...can it be used to receive Netflix over the Internet? A DVR perhaps? Am I getting greedy??

Yes, definitely... Netflix's "watch instantly" option allows for this, as do other services.

I thought this was really informative, but I actually decided on a full tower CPU in the room next over with an HDMI running to my receiver. Allowed me to get higher performance/price.

But I have to run to the other room to insert Blurays....

Dave_HH:

there are a bunch of different Windows Media Center remotes on the market these days. Just plug in a USB wireless dongle from one of these kits and you can control Media Center and some basic Windows functions from the comfort of your couch.

One thing I would like to say in on this topic. If you have a iPod Touch or a iPhone then check out Mobile Air Mouse. http://www.mobileairmouse.com/

I have been using this app for a while. There is a free and payed for version. The free version turns your iPod into a touchpad kinda like a laptop. You can also use the keyboard. The payed for version adds shortcut buttons for browsers and and media players. It also adds a mode like the logitech air mouse were you move the mouse like a wii remote. I have the payed for app and the shortcuts work for VLC and Firefox. I'll test it in Windows 7 Media Center see if it has shortcut buttons.

I have the old ATI Wonder II remote here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880100402

I actually prefer the Ipod air mouse though. The way it works is you download the program on your PC then download the app on the iPod/iPhone. It will pick them up over wifi. You do need to have wifi though. It will not work over 3G if you have a iPhone you have to have wifi. 

Anyway great app if you are thinking about a HTPC. 

I know silly aint it?  

I use a different compositor and spell check, since on the initial pass Spell check is not here. So if I copy it over and has words not recognized they are yellow. Plus it was late last night....Sorry? I will try and use highlights only when  necessary 

bob_on_the_cob:

Dave_HH:

there are a bunch of different Windows Media Center remotes on the market these days. Just plug in a USB wireless dongle from one of these kits and you can control Media Center and some basic Windows functions from the comfort of your couch.

One thing I would like to say in on this topic. If you have a iPod Touch or a iPhone then check out Mobile Air Mouse. http://www.mobileairmouse.com/

I have been using this app for a while. There is a free and payed for version. The free version turns your iPod into a touchpad kinda like a laptop. You can also use the keyboard. The payed for version adds shortcut buttons for browsers and and media players. It also adds a mode like the logitech air mouse were you move the mouse like a wii remote. I have the payed for app and the shortcuts work for VLC and Firefox. I'll test it in Windows 7 Media Center see if it has shortcut buttons.

I have the old ATI Wonder II remote here http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880100402

I actually prefer the Ipod air mouse though. The way it works is you download the program on your PC then download the app on the iPod/iPhone. It will pick them up over wifi. You do need to have wifi though. It will not work over 3G if you have a iPhone you have to have wifi. 

 

Anyway great app if you are thinking about a HTPC. 

Great tip!   Thanks Bob!

I noticed, too, that there was no mention of RAM... am I missing something?  I realize that there is a time constraint, so for the build price, would you mind commenting on the "all - in" cost (with tuner, OS, RAM, etc...)?  Thanks.  I've got my wish list over at Newegg running over $1K and don't want to buy anything that isn't necessary.

Heya Casual,

There was definitely a mention of RAM as we stepped through the parts list in the beginning of the vid. 

Also, if you look here, there is a part by part break down of costs

http://hothardware.com/Articles/Home-Theater-PC-Building--A-HotHardware-HowTo/

add to that a $70 - $120 turner card and you're set.

Thanks

Dave_HH:

I like Hauppauge cards personally.  Something like this:  http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hvr2250.html

Note that it's PCI Express X1 to drop in one of the spare slots.

A lot of the Hauppauge variants have good Linux support too - which is what I would want for MythTV.  Great guide - I may actually have to look into building one.

Thanks Dave, looks like I was missing something.  Typical oversight for me.  Great article and video; much thanks.

Whenever I contemplate building a nice HTPC (read: a micro-ITX that can run real games) I end up with a PSU problem -

Is the Element Q's 250W PSU really enough to support the i5 and the Radeon 5670?

I know each is rated below 70W but did you get to test the system under real stress?

BTW, I read that now there's a 270W version as well.

Looks like smaller HTPC are going to even more popular this year here is a rather in expensive card from Diamond AIW5000

Bus Type: PCI Express X16 (Graphic Card) and PCI Express X1 (Tuner Card) | Part Number: AIW5000 http://www.diamondmm.com/AIW5000 sell for about 145.00 probably less and several to choose from as well.

Dave that was a good video something I,ll definatly refer back to! I just couple mnor questions if you would had more allowable time for the video would you have gone for an all in one setup on the tuner card and ant particular reason you did not use an AMD platform as one of the builds! Im going to add a AIW 5000 to an existing computer I,ve I have just curious why you used exclucise Intel ! Also Im looking forward to checking out the AIW 5000 always wanted an AIW way back when but they are marked improvements from then and now!

amdcrankitup:

Dave that was a good video something I,ll definatly refer back to! I just couple mnor questions if you would had more allowable time for the video would you have gone for an all in one setup on the tuner card and ant particular reason you did not use an AMD platform as one of the builds! Im going to add a AIW 5000 to an existing computer I,ve I have just curious why you used exclucise Intel ! Also Im looking forward to checking out the AIW 5000 always wanted an AIW way back when but they are marked improvements from then and now!

Heya amdcrankitup,This video is pretty dated now but if I were to do it again, actually I'd probably go with a new AMD Zacate / Brazos system and a dedicated tuner card.  The other way to go for a bunch more horsepower if you need it, would be Intel SandyBridge and a dedicated tuner card.  We have a new HTPC build coming with Mat Miranda on our team that will look at SB solutions.  Marco just looked at some AMD base solutions here: http://hothardware.com/Reviews/AMD-Fusion-Hits-Retail-Zotac-and-Gigabyte-E350s-Tested/

I was curious to ask because I wasnt sure at the time of the video if there were more available Intel solutions offered for a HTPC setup than AMD! Thats why I asked! Bit I will be looking for this upcoming (HTPC build coming with Mat Miranda on our team that will look at SB solutions)!

a big problem I have with HTPCs is debating over low profile heatsinks...

Good info. One draw back I think is the remote. Most are infered, so you need line of sight. It took me a bit, but found an RF type from Nuforce. Not everything about it I lake, but there just isn't enought RF media center win 7 reponts out there. Most notabily on this one is the stop and fast forward are WAY to close. Good info here though, and it is still current. Personnely, I want to have or build a gaming cener that can still run great as an HTPC, but still now suck the cash from my walet to pay the power bill. So watching and ready the sandy bridge and mayne the Ivy processors.

This is a very cool setup, a lot of good info, but my one main question is what software would I use?