Building a Low-End HTPC

Punit Lodaya, Jan 12, 2007 1700 hrs IST

A couple of months back we configured a mid-end HTPC, it's time to Build a Low-End HTPC now. Let's get started...

EXPERT REVIEW

Configuration Revisited

Now that you have the box ready, simply plug it into your existing TV Set and Speaker system to enjoy the benefits of all worlds. If you don't have a good surround sound system, add another 5K to the budget and buy a good 5.1 speaker set. That's it for now. Enjoy your shopping and do keep visiting Techree.com for a lot more.

USER COMMENTS

I want change/replace my i ball keyboard can be change

by Saurabh singh, Lucknow, on Oct 04, 2008 09:56 PM, Report abuse Reply

GOOD ENOUGH, well, i plan for a PC Only for digital video - live streaming , especially for VOIP, IPTV,besides games. ON a LCD panel i prefer AMD and all components from ACER, of course, MAC is restricted to HIGH end config.budget 30,000+5000

by dr.shekar, hyderabad, on Jul 09, 2007 05:25 PM, Report abuse Reply

could u please post an article to upgrade my cpu to 1gb ram and 80 gb harddisk. i have 128 mb ram nd 20gb harddrive right now. plz include the costs as well

by ishaan jain, delhi, on May 23, 2007 01:40 PM, Report abuse Reply

suggest a config which can be multitasking for fun & work too. its entry level what u suggested. please make the configuration which can deliver a great performence on vista with list of compatible antivirus & some softwares. and suggest one laptop. what u configured in this addition is awesome

by MANOJ WAROKAR, NEW DELHI, on May 16, 2007 11:50 AM, Report abuse Reply

You guys don't review any laptops ? Pls suggest any best all rounder laptop for for 40K in Bangalore. I need to buy one.

by D.Jay, Bangalore, on May 05, 2007 11:10 AM, Report abuse Reply

Hi Techtree guys, It has been a very long time since you published this article and there is a lot reduction in the prices since then. Can you build the new confgns for Rs.30K, 40K & 50K. Pls include the cost of OS, Monitor (17''TFT) & nice speakers as well. Also suggest any Free avlb softwares which saves money.

by Jay.D, Bangalore, on May 05, 2007 11:05 AM, Report abuse Reply

Extend budget by 2.5k and u can get AMD X2 3600+ (Rs5450), Seagate 250GB SATAII HDD (Rs3750).

by punjab234, Moga, on Jan 12, 2007 06:02 PM, Report abuse Reply

Superb Combination Suggested... u will be satisfied with the performance .... try Foxconn Mobos Quality is Foxconn > Gigabyte > MSI > ASUS

by vishal, hyderabad, on Apr 27, 2007 08:09 PM, Report abuse

sir, please tell me if the AMD is good for the graphics or intel. I need the configuration for multimedia training institute. adobe, autodesk, etc.

by Shankar, Visakhapatnam, on Mar 07, 2007 09:01 PM, Report abuse Reply

Waht about the monitor????

by executioner, chennai, on Jan 13, 2007 10:39 AM, Report abuse Reply

dum dum dum

by digvijay, new delhi, on Jan 14, 2007 11:30 AM, Report abuse

Agreed! very dum! u idiot, its a HTPC it connects to a ******* TV not a monitor. Get an education man.. learn to read!
** Message edited by moderator **

by i hate idiots, Banglore, on Mar 04, 2007 12:15 PM, Report abuse

I am also planning to connect my new PC to my home theatre.. i have some space problems in my room. Also thinking of a sound blaster extreme audoi(NOT music)

by Vivek Sood, Gurgaon, on Mar 01, 2007 05:18 AM, Report abuse Reply

I think people in general are not aware of the fact that audio video quality from a PC is better than a regular or even costly DVD players and home theatres etc. I can imagine a time when techtree users/visitors etc will buy a HTPC straiht away instead of wasting money on a home theatre...!

by Vivek Sood, Gurgaon, on Mar 01, 2007 05:16 AM, Report abuse Reply

Hello Sir, What abt the cost of the monitor. I am also looking for an upgrade. I have an old P3 1GHz. Now I want to go for AMD x2 3800+ AM2 6000/- MSI K9NGM2 4000/- 512MB Kingston RAM 2300/- 80GB SATA Hitachi Deskstar 2150/- 16X DVD dual layer writer SONY 1950/- iBall Cabinet + SMPS 1500-1800/- KeyBoard + Mouse 800/- Monitor 17" LG Flatron 5900/- Can you give me a better configuration than this is a budget of upto 25k.

by Nitin Sahdev, Ropar, on Feb 07, 2007 11:53 PM, Report abuse Reply

By extending budget by Rs2700 one can buy:- AMD Athlon 64 X2 3600+ (AM2) Rs5500. Seagate Barracuda 250GB SATAII Rs3750 Cabinet looks great. Sony DRU 820A would be a better choice. Also add the speakers cost.

by punjab234, Moga, on Jan 12, 2007 05:59 PM, Report abuse Reply

In place of the Windoze Media Center OS, one could also use this--> GeexBox (http://geexbox.org/en/index.html). More Stable (no more viruses wrecking your HT experience) and is Zero-Cost!

by Shiv, New Delhi, on Feb 01, 2007 07:03 PM, Report abuse

I did't understand 1 point here, what about monitor, they have not mentioned about the monitor and no comments have been made regarding this, is it not necessary?.

by srini1973, chennai, on Jan 25, 2007 03:25 PM, Report abuse Reply

wudnt you say there is a lot of difference between the mid end httpc and the low end httpc????

by dgvijay, delhi, on Jan 21, 2007 09:11 PM, Report abuse Reply

Now we have either CAS with a STB or DTH receivers. Which card do you have to use in place of the TV tuner card?

by pnreddy, hyderabad, on Jan 14, 2007 08:25 PM, Report abuse Reply

I suggest U can use a PCIE AGP card like I use a ATI x600 which comes around Rs.3700/- and includes a AV in/out with composite & S-video, as the CAS box has a AV out you can connect it directly to PC & use the existing CAS/DTH remote..

by girish, Aurangabad (M.S), on Jan 20, 2007 06:52 AM, Report abuse

the input devices like the key boad mouse and the reomte control are un wanted addition to the cost, thought the tv tuner card will provide you with a remote controler.

by Kartik Beemsing, Chennai, on Jan 16, 2007 05:23 PM, Report abuse Reply

This article talks about using Linux as the OS. But does the Compro TV Tuner card support Linux? I checked their web site and found that only Windows support is mentioned...

by Ravi, Chennai, on Jan 16, 2007 02:10 PM, Report abuse Reply

But if we go for the Cooler Master Media 260 cabinet and with it Win Tv Pvr-150 Mce Tv tuner card the performance will be good enough to complete our need and plus it gets the remote control with the chassis

by Saudagar, Mumbai, on Jan 16, 2007 01:28 PM, Report abuse Reply

Add 2.5k more in ur budget and buy AMD X2 3600+ (Rs5450), Seagate 250GB SATAII HDD (Rs3750)

by punjab234, Moga, on Jan 12, 2007 11:47 PM, Report abuse Reply

There is no such AMD X2 3600+ available......lowest in X2(dual core) series is 3800+

by VIRAJ, Delhi, on Jan 13, 2007 08:54 PM, Report abuse

Dude, who said theres no X2 3600+ This has been introduced by AMD to counter the price offensive of the Intels. They have cut the L2 cache of each core of the X2 3800+ in half and slashed the price. The cut in performance is not much compared to the cut in price.....a good alternative to the X2 3800+

by komato, Blore, on Jan 16, 2007 10:29 AM, Report abuse

There is an interesting link for those who want seamless connectivity option to their Home theater and PC. http://www.dlink.co.in/dlink/Products/Digital/dsm-320.htm This is a really nice product but its a lil bit costly( ZDnet says its for 15000/-)

by Ashish, Lucknow, on Jan 16, 2007 09:09 AM, Report abuse Reply

Big NO to the TV tuner recommended. Ive been doing some research on TV tuners and have found other after market products that are better priced and give better value, its just the generic buyer doesnt know about it.

by MaxAxe, Chennai, on Jan 12, 2007 08:34 PM, Report abuse Reply

could u suggest some as i need to buy one.

by bhavneet, new bombay, on Jan 13, 2007 03:19 AM, Report abuse

The tuner card mentioned in this article is not MCE supported. So watch out if you are building an XP MCE 2005 based PC. Best bet is to buy the "Media Center upgrade kit" from Microsoft retailers. It comes with XP MCE 2005 OS, an MCE certified tuner (Hauppauge 150 PVR), MCE remote and receiver. The list of retailers is available in Microsoft India website.

by Jaganath, Bamgalore, on Jan 15, 2007 03:09 PM, Report abuse

The best solution for th HTPC is go for (Hauppauge MCE 150 PVR),its easily available and try to go for the chassis with remote control (Cooler Master Media 260) compare it

by rahanazgar, Pune, on Jan 15, 2007 05:05 PM, Report abuse

hey..!! u did'nt include the monitor in it...?? why????

by Gaurav Mathur, Delhi, on Jan 13, 2007 12:49 PM, Report abuse Reply

Because its a HTPC i.e. Home Theatre PC where the output will be to a HT device lets say a large size 29" TV, Plasma, or a Projector. And since u would sit a bit far from the TV hence the KBD and mouse are wireless.

by Suraj Kumar, New Delhi, on Jan 15, 2007 03:22 PM, Report abuse

he is about to vomit his knowledge... move away guys... vijayshimla... the red carpet is waiting for you...

by shimlawala, Shimla, on Jan 15, 2007 12:25 PM, Report abuse Reply

Dear Punit, Excellent article. It has been picked up by PVR Wire http://www.pvrwire.com/2007/01/12/building-an-htpc-on-the-cheap/

by pnreddy, hyderabad, on Jan 14, 2007 08:47 PM, Report abuse Reply

Good review but I think everyone should have this remote. www.Soundgraph.com. Imon remote. Just for the record, I brought Themaltake case with Imon LCD. Loved it so much I brought the Imon Knob for the PC I have in the bed room, so that when me and the mrs feel lazy, we can control all aspects of the PC from the remote including mouse movements. Check it out. Hope this helps...

by Sash, sydney, on Jan 14, 2007 07:17 PM, Report abuse Reply

Dear folks, I am new to this forum. could you please tell where I can get it? I am in nagpur you all know. Thanks in advance. with best wishes.

by siruvan, nagpur, on Jan 14, 2007 06:25 PM, Report abuse Reply

? about HDD, SMPS, Console, I/O Devices Pl give out the base line.

by Rags, Gurgaon, on Jan 14, 2007 02:06 PM, Report abuse Reply

It is very nice. I really like the idea of HTPC. I hope soon it will catch up in india.

by Vivek Sood, Gurgoan, on Jan 14, 2007 05:05 AM, Report abuse Reply

What about the LG 18X DVD-RW it costs only 1800.

by aamiracle, Mumbai, on Jan 13, 2007 10:35 PM, Report abuse Reply

i wud strongly suggest a 250gb instead of a 160gb especailly considering the amount of space media takes and also in the [b]hope[/b] of asli broadband coming in the near future..

by some_cap, Bangalore, on Jan 13, 2007 03:35 PM, Report abuse Reply

what a shit review u can get a dual core intel 820 processor, budget 1650 pro graphic card and as rock dvi 945 conroe which simply outperforms some of the best bdget config

by HUH, Delhi, on Jan 13, 2007 11:41 AM, Report abuse Reply

This is a HTPC (read - Home Theatre PC) and not a gaming rig. Get the point smarty pants

by Rahul, Mumbai, on Jan 13, 2007 12:45 PM, Report abuse

sounds cool..but will i be able to connect it to my sony 29" wega..coz its 4 yrs old with only av in/out??

by Ashish, Kochi, on Jan 13, 2007 01:32 AM, Report abuse Reply

LoL Is there a need to mention that u have a 29" Sony Wega. No big deal we all have them. Hasnt he mentioned the mobo has a built in GeForce 6150 accelerator. Itll generate signal in S-video and Composite. Otherwise wats the point of buildin a HT pc without video output. and u thoutht output was HDTV!!! Duh!!!

by Pred8er, Mumbai, on Jan 13, 2007 10:47 AM, Report abuse

Is the sound card intel Azalia standard compliant / is suitable for 5.1 or 7.1 speaker setup?

by Suresh, Hyderabad, on Jan 13, 2007 08:11 AM, Report abuse Reply

Great Configuration Punit! But you I am sure you'd agree that a set of good speakers are integral part of a HTPC config. You missed it. IMHO, I believe Logitech Z series speakers gives you Bang for your money and they are THX certified too!

by Nilesh Sawkare, Mumbai, on Jan 13, 2007 01:04 AM, Report abuse Reply

Wow !!! Cool.

by Rockman, Rockville, on Jan 12, 2007 11:25 PM, Report abuse Reply

Very sensible review...nicely done.

by Ameya Sohoni, Mumbai, on Jan 12, 2007 10:01 PM, Report abuse Reply

Add 2.5k more in ur budget and buy AMD X2 3600+ (Rs5450), Seagate 250GB SATAII HDD (Rs3750)

by punjab234, Moga, on Jan 12, 2007 07:18 PM, Report abuse Reply

By extending budget by 2.5k one can buy AMD X2 3600+ (Rs5450), Seagate 250GB SATAII HDD (Rs3750)

by punjab234, Moga, on Jan 12, 2007 06:04 PM, Report abuse Reply