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Revision of Build your own home theater system (HTPC) from Sat, 2010-01-30 20:33
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 builidng a custom HTPC
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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, curretnly AMD Dual Core (X2) is the best choise.
Softwares
Windows
- Performance Boost
- Install Windows cutdown version like hacked version or nlite
- Use tune-up utilities 2008 to speed up performance
- Bootviso decongesting 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
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
- فروش فروش فیلم های --[ HD ]-- ( ریپ BLURAY , HD-DVD , HD TV ) با چاپ روی دیسک و کاور
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 appropirate
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
- قیمت و ظاهر مناسب : Case Intel ATX P4 7328 کیس اینتل - آ تی ایکس پنتیوم 4 - 7328 : http://www.rayaneh.com/product-1336.aspx
- قیمت و ظاهر مناسب : Case Intel ATX P4 7328 کیس اینتل - آ تی ایکس پنتیوم 4 - 7328 : http://www.rayaneh.com/product-1336.aspx
- GREEN ATX P4 7321 كيس گرين مدل روميزي : http://www.rayaneh.com/product-5177.aspx
- Thermaltake MozartIP (VF3000BNS) كيس ترمالتيك وي اف 3000 بي ان اس : http://www.rayaneh.com/product-7140.aspx
LCD TV
-
Information :
-
Purchase :
- Sony ایران : KLV-46X350A (KLV46X350A) : جزئیات
- 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 coudln'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 prebuild 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 Controler
- 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 avaiable for control your computer using input devices (Remote Control, Network, etc) , here is a short list of this applicatoins :
- 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
- Making a Cisco DE9-RJ45 cable
- 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
- 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
Comments
Interesting topic, looking
Interesting topic, looking forward to see more information here
Very good, I really enjoyed
Very good, I really enjoyed it. Is there somewhere I can check out more?
Yeah, checkout the resources.
Yeah, checkout the resources. You'll find many useful site there
HTPC- Interesting Read
Many thanks for this, I think that you could mention the Logitech Harmony range of remotes that can be used with almost any IR reciever. See a brief explanation on here: http://www.tomology.co.uk/?p=114
Im sure that I will find some of this information helpful.