Build your own home theater system (HTPC)
What is HTPC?
A Home Theater PC (HTPC) or media PC is a convergence device that combines the functions of a personal computer and a media center software which feature video and music playback, and usually but not always also digital video recorder functionality. It usually has a 10-foot user interface and is connected to a television or a television-sized computer display, and is often used as a digital photo, music, video player, TV receiver and digital video recorder, and normally controlled with a remote control.
Pros & Cons of building a custom HTPC
HTPCS are much more flexible and provide much more features than regular DVRs. There is also another advantage which is extensibility. You can upgrade the software to add more options without even touching the hardware or only swap the old hardwares with new ones not the whole things, it's also cheaper specially in long run. The disadvantage is setting up a perfect HTPC is not easy, there are many different parts and components and sometimes finding the right software or hardware is difficult. If you don't have time or the require technical background you might want to consider buying pre built solutions. In that case you can choose home theater systems of high quality to complete your home entertainment set-up.
Components
CPU
In my experience HTPC's CPU does not need to be fast (Unless you want to play games!), specially if power usage is important to you. But i strongly recommend low speed Multi-Core CPUs, currently AMD Dual Core (X2) is the best choice.
Softwares
Windows
- Performance Boost
- Install Windows cutdown version like hacked version or nlite
- Use tune-up utilities 2008 to speed up performance
- Bootviso diagnosing slow boot nLite - Deployment Tool for the bootable Unattended Windows installation - Download
- Removing Password Prompt after coming out of hibernation or standby
- Preferred solution : Power Options Properties->Prompt for password when computer resumes from
standby and tuneup utilities -> customizing system -> auto logon - Automatic Logon after resuming from Hibernation
- skipping login after coming out of XP hibernate? - MP3Car.com
- Preferred solution : Power Options Properties->Prompt for password when computer resumes from
- Non working devices after coming back from hibernate issue
- Preferred Solution : http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/Hibernate-Trigger.shtml
net stop tvservice
net start tvservice - Win32_PowerManagementEvent Class (Windows)
- possible fix, err, bandaid for usb gps/touchscreen suspend/hibernate woes - MP3Car.com
- DVBLogic • View topic - No live TV after resume from standby
- Preferred Solution : http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/System-Miscellaneous/Hibernate-Trigger.shtml
- Automatic Subtitle Downloader
- http://www.sublight.si/ (Robust interface and very feature rich)
- https://launchpad.net/subdownloader (Slow on Windows 7)
- http://code.google.com/p/vroksub/ (Unable to download subtitles!!)
Media Center Softwares
- Freevo Media Centre | Home Theatre Platform HTPC & DVR
- MythTV
- MediaPortal
Multi Monitor :
Nvidia desktop manager is a very cools software but ultramon is also useful
- Oscar's Multi-Monitor taskBar
- MaxiVista - Free software downloads and reviews - CNET Download.com
- Using Multiple Monitors with Windows XP
- Multi Monitor Mouse - Free software downloads and reviews - CNET Download.com
HD Video/Clips/Movies Source
- Free downloadable HD series : http://www.mariposahd.tv/episodes
- The Official HD Video Clip List - High Def Forum - Your High Definition Community & High Definition Resource
- WMV HD Content Showcase
- HD animated screensavers - mac screensavers, windows screensavers, free screensaver downloads - HD screensaver downloads - Premium Screensavers - Nature - Landscapes - Summer Fiel
Audio Calibration
Today Speakers may have even more that 5 parts. Therefore it's very important to calibrate them (Adjust each part's volume) according to to your sitting position to get the best result.
- Configure your 7.1 speakers - Upgrade your PC to 7.1 sound - Weekend Project - CNET Reviews
- No release yet!!! : HTPC Audio DSP | Get HTPC Audio DSP at SourceForge.net
Speaker
- (Recommend) Logitech-X-540-5.1 : Quality/Price is appropriate
Case
Review : Missing Remote
htpc case, Computing, Consumer Electronics, New items at low prices on eBay.co.uk
- Newegg.com - Athenatech Black Aluminum / Steel Evo A3701BB.500 ATX Media Center / HTPC Case - HTPC / Media Center Cases
- Newegg.com - Broadway Com Corp Black Aluminum / Thick Steel HTPC-HT1100 ATX Media Center / HTPC Case - HTPC / Media Center Cases
- Newegg.com - nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum / Acrylic / Steel HTPC 5000B Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case - HTPC / Media Center Cases
- Newegg.com - nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum / Acrylic / Steel HTPC 6000B ATX Media Center / HTPC Case - HTPC / Media Center Cases
- Newegg.com - nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum / Steel HTPC 2000B ATX Media Center / HTPC Case - HTPC / Media Center Cases
- Newegg.com - nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum panel & Steel HTPC 1000B Micro ATX Media Center / HTPC Case - HTPC / Media Center Cases
- Newegg.com - nMEDIAPC Silver Aluminum / Acrylic / Steel HTPC 6000S ATX Media Center / HTPC Case - HTPC / Media Center Cases
- Newegg.com - SILVERSTONE Black Aluminum front panel, 0.8 mm SECC body LC17-B ATX Media Center / HTPC Case - HTPC / Media Center Cases
- ???? ? ???? ????? : Case Intel ATX P4 7328 ??? ????? - ? ?? ???? ?????? 4 - 7328 : http://www.rayaneh.com/product-1336.aspx
- ???? ? ???? ????? : Case Intel ATX P4 7328 ??? ????? - ? ?? ???? ?????? 4 - 7328 : http://www.rayaneh.com/product-1336.aspx
- GREEN ATX P4 7321 ??? ???? ??? ?????? : http://www.rayaneh.com/product-5177.aspx
- Thermaltake MozartIP (VF3000BNS) ??? ???????? ?? ?? 3000 ?? ?? ?? : http://www.rayaneh.com/product-7140.aspx
LCD TV
Information :
Purchase :
- Sony ????? : KLV-46X350A (KLV46X350A) : ??????
- Sony Bravia KLV-46X350A (46-inch LCD) Video Review - TVs - CNET Asia
- Sony Bravia KLV-46X350A (46-inch LCD) Review - TVs - CNET Asia
- Flat-panel LCD TVs - CNET Reviews
- Compare Pioneer Kuro PDP-5080 HD to Flat-panel TVs. Comparisons by CNET.
- Sony Bravia KLV-46X200A (46-inch LCD) Overview - TVs - CNET Asia
- Samsung LA40R71B (40-inch LCD) Overview - TVs - CNET Asia
- Sony Bravia KLV-46X200A (46-inch LCD) Overview - TVs - CNET Asia
Remote
Note : I couldn't build a custom one for myself because i couldn't find the parts which was required on local stores, so decided to buy a pre build one which was cheaper. I bought a USB-UIRT
Remote Wonder : all you need for your remote control (Special drivers for ATI remote wonder)
- Best solutions
- USB-UIRT Web Site
- Guide and how to for the external emitter : HOW TO: USB-UIRT - Learning/Testing IR codes - Embedded Automation , USB-UIRT IR Emitter? [Archive] - SageTV Community
- External Emitter : Blinking Stick-On Infrared / IR Emitters, Bugs & Blasters - Smarthome
- External Emitter : Non-Blinking Dual Stick-On IR Emitters - Smarthome
- http://www.devhardware.com/forums/peripherals-72/usb-irda-and-universal-...
- http://www.eventghost.org/wiki/EventGhost:About
- USB-UIRT Web Site
- Some electronic info require for custom building
- Writing custom driver for Sigmatel USB IrDa
It seems that one way IR support has something to do with chipset- SourceForge.net: PyUSB
- SourceForge.net: Usb Sniffer for Windows
- Download IrDA Remote Control Standard 1.5.36 Free Trial - A software utility that will allow you to control your media player/center with TV-style Remote Control Unit - Softpedia
- AlphaSmart USB to IrDA Bridge Download
- Download Vectir - AV manager 1.1.3 - This software controls features of your operating system such as moving the mouse pointer or adjusting the master sound volume. - Softpedia
- Making my USB dongle work with windows :
- Creating Custom Serial IrDA
- Creating Custom USB IrDa
- Using Wii Remote As Controller
- Remote Wonder : Drivers
- Linux Tutorial for Remote Wonder
Good remote which also has Track Ball for mouse movement: http://www.thinkgeek.com/computing/input/a179/
Remote control softwares
The are currently several application available for control your computer using input devices (Remote Control, Network, etc) , here is a short list of this applications :
- Girder : not free but is very complete
- EventGhost : free , opensource , extensible and works well, but make sure that it supports your device (It has many plugins!).
- ByRemote - What is HIP?
- http://iox.sourceforge.net/
- PC Remote Control software
- WinLIRC Homepage
- IrDA RemoteControl II
- IrRC-Lite
- GlovePIE : Free and OpenSource. This one is script based, and is not easy to use but is very flexible. They have new website and a new version also released after a long time. I used it to connect WiiMote to PC. nice piece of software.
Headset
Motherboard
- http://www.amdzone.com/index.php/news/47/9023-17-phenom-recommended-moth...
- Asus M3A AM2+ : http://www.rayansaba.com/index.php?productID=2553
Small LCD
- Newegg.com - nMEDIAPC Black Aluminum Panel PRO-LCD-B Media Center Programmable LCD - Controller Panels
- Andrea NC-181 Headset & Microphone replac. NC-91 BNIB on eBay (end time 05-Aug-09 23:03:50 BST)
- Black Nmediapc Media Center Programmable LCD PRO-LCD-B 5.25in Internal Bay with Black Aluminum Panel-Best Computer Online Store Houston Buy Discount Prices Texas-Directron.com
- Crystalfontz: Serial LCDs, USB LCDs, Graphic LCD and OLED displays
Harddisk
Wiring
Software Based
- Note that stream is not a good solution the minimum delay i got was 300ms using VLC!
- The Love Shack » Blog Archive » Forwarding ESD-played sounds to a remote machine
- Network sound card : http://pulseaudio.org/
- Streaming multi channel audio : http://www.cesnet.cz/doc/techzpravy/2006/audio-broadcast/
- Streaming multi channel aduio using VLC :
- http://www.videolan.org/doc/streaming-howto/en/ch04.html
- http://www.engadget.com/2005/11/29/how-to-stream-almost-anything-using-vlc/
- http://www.wikihow.com/Use-Vlc-to-Stream-Audio-and-Video-to-Multiple-Com...
- Audio Stream for play station , they they it's real time!
- Sharing USB for sound, keyboard and mouse : USB Over Network version 3.5.1 works well
- Sharing USB Over network : http://www.intellidriver.com/products_1.16.html
- List of USB share softwares : http://share-usb.qarchive.org/
- USB To Ethernet Connector : Not that good i've had some issues with it
- USB Over Network : one of the best softwares available for sharing USB but i couldn't find its crack and the older versions like 2.5 does not work well
Guide
- Cabling attaching cat6
- HDMI should be 1.3a or up and HDCP compatible
- VGA over Cat-5 cable (Build your own)
- Extending DVI and HDMI Cable Connections: Fiber Optics or Copper Wire?
- HDMI 1.3 over CAT5 Baluns? - AVS Forum
- How to make your own hdmi cables : http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/archive/index.php/t-640545.html
- RGBHV over shielded Cat 5 success! - Page 16 - AVS Forum
- eBay Guides - Save money and make your own audio cables
- VGAtoRJ45conversion - ElephantStaircase
- RJ45 Color Guide - straight through and crossover T-568A and T-568B
- How to make a Network Cable (crimp RJ-45 onto Cat5)
- How to Make Your Own Network Cables - Let's Make Some Network Cables
- How to wire Ethernet Cables
- http://www.avsforum.com/avs-vb/showthread.php?t=23850&highlight=cat5&pag...
- Soldering
Adaptors / Extenders
- Intelix AVO-V3AD-F HDTV Component Video and Digital Audio over Cat 5 Balun
- Cheapest prebuild solution
- DVI to HDMI over CAT5e Mini-Extender on eBay, also HDMI Cables Adapters, Video Cables Connectors, A V Accessories Cables, Consumer Electronics (end time 24-Jul-08 01:51:36 BST)
- Very cheap solution but not sure if it really works well
- HDMI/DVI HDTV Audio Video LAN Cat 5/6 Balun Extender HD on eBay, also HDMI Cables Adapters, Video Cables Connectors, A V Accessories Cables, Consumer Electronics (end time 22-Jul-08 18:43:28 BST)
- Cheap solution
- MythTV LIRC RS232 IR Blaster
- 100 foot DVI-D CAT5E CAT 6 RJ45 Extender Kit Extend video signals up to 100 feet
- For only $2.33 each when QTY 50+ purchased - DVI-D single link Male to HDMI Female adapter | DVI <--> HDMI
- DB9 Male / RJ45 Color Gray
- BAFO Technologies
- HDMI over Cat 5 / Cat 6 Extender Balun
- Gefen HDMI Extender Enables IR Control - AVS Forum
- DVI + Audio to HDMI Converter :: HDMI & HD Convertors :: HDMI Cables :: Cable Universe
- hdmi extender cat, Consumer Electronics items at low prices on eBay.co.uk
- Honeywell Converts HDMI to Cat-5
- HDMI TO CAT-5E/6 LAN CABLE EXTENDER (50-120M) on eBay, also, Wires, Cables, Accessories, Electronics (end time 22-Aug-08 15:23:06 BST)
- DVIGear DVI-3531a HDMI Converter Scaler — Reviews and News from Audioholics
- For only $3.20 each when QTY 50+ purchased - 6FT 5-RCA Component Video/Audio Coaxial Cable (RG-59/U) | 5-RCA Component Video Cable
- HDMI > RJ45 Cat 6 Super Extender 120M 400FT 1080p V1.3b on eBay, also, Video Cables, TV Accessories, Consumer Electronics (end time 28-Aug-08 12:52:12 BST)
- Conceptronic.net
- TWISTED PAIR - VIDEO (CV, Y/C, YUV) TP-43
- Niles C5-HDDA CAT-5 component video and coaxial digital audio balun at Crutchfield.com
- Intelix AVO-V3AD-F HDTV Component Video and Digital Audio over Cat 5 Balun
Resources / Guids
- Build an Energy Efficient Media Server MythTV
- HTPC Guide: Part 4, Set Up Your TV Tuning at SavvyGeek
- Build a $300 HDTV media extender | George Ou | ZDNet.com
- Best HTPC Guide for Beginners
- Geek Tonic by Brent Evans: My New Extender HTPC
- HTPC Software Installationsguide - MediaPortal Forum
- Mixed workstation and htpc - MediaPortal Forum
- Making Windows XP Multi User! : Terminal Server Patch at sala source
- Design your own Projections system : http://www.engadget.com/2006/05/23/how-to-build-yourself-a-front-projection-home-theater/
- Build your own PVR : http://www.byopvr.com/Sections+index-req-printpage-artid-19.html
- Ten Tips For Building Your Own Media Center Computer | Content for Reprint
- Build Your own linux HTPC : http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1814924,00.asp
- Fedora MythTV : http://www.wilsonet.com/mythtv/
- Building a HD-PVR -- pcHDTV and MythTV
- Choosing a HTPC Case | Tomology.co.uk
Suggestions
- Memory : 1 GIG DDR
- Power : Green 600W
- Motherboard : ASUS A8N-Sli
- CPU : AMD Athlon X2 3800
- VGA :
- Harddisk : Maxtor 40GIG IDE
- Case :
- DVD/CD ROM : Sony
- Ethernet : On Board
- Modem : CXT
- DVB : SKYSTAR HD 2