Building a Mid-End HTPC
Punit Lodaya, Sep 22, 2006 1700 hrs IST
An HTPC can let you enjoy your movies, at the same time lets you surf and play games sans console. Well, read on and know yourself.
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The Best of :
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The concept of an HTPC (Home Theatre Personal Computer) has been a very interesting one. For quite sometime, people have been trying to equip themselves with an ultimate all-in-one home entertainment system. A system that can playback audio files with multiple effects and enhancements, playback and burn DVDs, has an ability to play latest games of a gaming console, surf internet, stream latest audio and video files, has an ability to create a slideshow from photos taken from a digital camera, and a lot more.
A PC having a microprocessor and a flexible operating system has all the mentioned capabilities. But a PC having a place in the living room isn't as easy as it seems. Here's where HTPC comes in picture. HTPC is a specially designed PC, which differentiates from a normal PC in terms of hardware and software. The basic technology remains the same, but it is the interface that makes the difference and makes it different.
Is HTPC for me?
Well, HTPC can suit each and everyone's need. But it can also be overkill. Sort out your entertainment needs. The problem with the current Entertainment system is that every system is specialized in their respective functions. For example; a DVD player can play DVDs without a hitch, but you can't surf on it. For surfing, you need set top box with Internet function, but you can't play games on it. For games, you need a gaming console.
An HTPC can let you enjoy your movies, at the same time lets you surf and play games sans console. It can do all of the above things, but at the same time can turn out very expensive or even very cheap. Confused?? Well, read on and know yourself.
A plain DVD player can cost around Rs. 5,000-10,000. An HTPC will cost you at least Rs. 40,000-50,000, but can rival out even 4000$ Denon DVD player. A little research on Google can confirm this. But, does a person really need that high quality DVD player? Attaching a 4000$ DVD player or even a 1000$ DVD player to a 21" TV makes absolutely no sense and even the 200$ DVD player will be able to give similar output. So, sort your requirements first.
USER COMMENTS
This is the only website that almost never takes the pain of updating the Hardware components price list and PC guides.
by Gaurav Vyas, Mumbai, on Jul 29, 2009 04:00 PM, Report abuse
This is the only website that almost never takes the pain of updating the Hardware components price list and PC guides.
by Gaurav Vyas, Mumbai, on Jul 29, 2009 04:01 PM, Report abuse
can you give a revised configuration for 2009? why have you stopped giving pc buying guides?
by sdjfk, del, on Jan 25, 2009 06:38 PM, Report abuse Reply
by Anonymous, bangalore, on Jan 05, 2009 05:46 PM, Report abuse Reply
ya.. waiting for your revised configuration as on date.
by Prasath, Bangalore, on Nov 21, 2008 05:22 PM, Report abuse Reply
now it is time to have a revised edition
by srinivas, hyderabad, on Apr 09, 2008 08:45 PM, Report abuse Reply
A VERY GOOD INFORMATION EXCELLENT! ! ! !
by MEET VERMA, PUNE, on Dec 22, 2007 10:40 PM, Report abuse Reply
- I think keyboard and mouse are not worth the price. With MCE, the idea is to use the remote - MCE remote should have the ability to enter text and it suffices for entering text rarely - Is Pinnacle any good - haven't done much digging, but I seriously doubt it. I'd choose Hauppauge or ATI. - Also, I think a good monitor and speaker set should have been mentioned - existing TVs can rarely do justice. For those with enough to spill, a HD-compatible wide-screen LCD. Speakers - Creative Gigaworks S700 (5.1 - unfortunately not available anymore - you can go for S750 7.1)
by Naveen, Bangalore, on Oct 03, 2006 12:23 AM, Report abuse Reply
The first thing we kept under consideration, is the availability of products in India. We were personally looking for Nvidia Dual Tuner card and Zalman HTPC cabinet, but none of them are available in India. Same case with Hauppauge PVR 500 MCE.
by Punit, Techtree Test Labs, on Oct 03, 2006 12:26 PM, Report abuse
"We were personally looking for Nvidia Dual Tuner card" Me too ;-) Unfortunately, nVidia *never* bothered to release a PAL version in UK, let alone India. So, I settled for Windows MCE "hardware kit" which is basically a Hauppauge PVR 150MCE OEM card with MCE remote (sweeet!). Works great though it has audio clipping issues with a few channels. For those interested, it is available at Microsoft retail outlets with and without Windows XP MCE.
by Naveen, Bangalore, on Oct 06, 2006 12:00 AM, Report abuse
Naveen, what was the price of hardware kit - with MCE and without MCE? Is there an option to purchase Hauppauge PVR 250MCE ? What is the additional cost?
by Srikar B S, Bangalore, on Mar 13, 2007 07:06 PM, Report abuse
The Antec cabinet is too expensive despite the fact that it will be best suited as it has good cooling etc but i am sure there is some other way to get almost the same qaulity and spend less for the cabinet. By the way whats wrong in having a vertical minitower cabinet kept along the TV etc.. Just a change in our mind set!
by Vivek Sood, Gurgoan, on Mar 05, 2007 10:03 PM, Report abuse Reply
please also offer best configuration price range in between 40-50K
by Ajit Kumar Mish, Kanpur, on Dec 19, 2006 05:31 PM, Report abuse Reply
I would strongly recommend cutting the cost of the cabinet if you are on a tight budget, seriously, 14k is obscenely high. Nice article though
by subiet, living in the cyber trance, on Sep 22, 2006 07:30 PM, Report abuse Reply
i have just build a htpc, beleive me it is the most imp component and should be best. i have used coolermaster m260 with imon remote control costing about 9500/-
by uday, pune, on Sep 27, 2006 06:10 PM, Report abuse
hey uday...thanks for the input..where did u get the coolermaster cm260 from?
by Jatin Ahuja, New Delhi, on Dec 08, 2006 06:59 PM, Report abuse
Can I put the Asus EN7600GT Silent PCI-E 256 MB with this ASUS motherboard? Or is the mother board too small for an elaborate heatsink?
by Jatin, New Delhi, on Nov 29, 2006 06:27 PM, Report abuse Reply
AN EXCELLENT,USEFUL& WELL RESEARCHED ARTICLE! THANQ. KEEP IT UP TECHTREE.....
by dr.v.ravindrana, siddipet, on Nov 13, 2006 08:51 PM, Report abuse Reply
XBOX 360 would be a much better option........it has everything
by kuku, nest, on Oct 05, 2006 07:35 PM, Report abuse Reply
Better than that just buy an Xbox, not the 360...and mod it. You can do everything with XBMC, and connect it to your PC through a simple cross over... It plays EVERY FORMAT Period... Internet.....check Games.......check(albeit old generation), still or else wait for the 360 to be chipped. Dolby compatible.......Check HDTV........................Check And it doesn't cost an arm or a leg.
by Sriram, Mumbhai, on Sep 24, 2006 03:42 PM, Report abuse Reply
True, but it still has some features missing. Anyways, I am myself using XBMC with the X360 Dashboard skin. Totally kick ass!!!
by Punit, Techtree Test Labs, on Sep 25, 2006 09:10 AM, Report abuse
how is an XBOX connected to a pc?
by Karanbir S Soin, Delhi, on Oct 04, 2006 02:10 PM, Report abuse
Please send me Prize of HTPC and distrubiter informatio in India Mumbai
by Tushar, Mumbai, on Oct 04, 2006 11:20 AM, Report abuse Reply
sale pinnacle 110i tv tuner with media centre . Going cheap. Call vikram 9820864401
by vikram vasudev, mumbai, on Sep 26, 2006 11:02 AM, Report abuse Reply
i was wondering where can i get the athlon x2 and motherboard at the price u mentioned.. thanks for info in adv..
by rohit, kanpur, on Sep 26, 2006 10:15 AM, Report abuse Reply
by Chagan, Magan, on Sep 22, 2006 05:25 PM, Report abuse Reply
i was wondering where can i get the athlon x2 and motherboard at the price u mentioned.. thanks for info in adv..
by rohit, kanpur, on Sep 26, 2006 10:14 AM, Report abuse
awsm article, but can't a person settle for windows xp as the operating system ?? If not,why? Also shuldn't the smps be of 500 w?? If it comes bundled can it b changed???
by gagan, delhi, on Sep 26, 2006 02:06 AM, Report abuse Reply
the cabinet is way tooooooooo expensive ne1 has details bout a low priced yet good looking cabinet
by gagan, delhi, on Sep 26, 2006 01:51 AM, Report abuse Reply
i thik we should wait for windows vista and directx 10 enabled graphics card.then spending a fortune will be worth
by akshay, mumbai, on Sep 25, 2006 06:48 PM, Report abuse Reply
Good article Punit & TT, very informative.
by Hari, Hyderabad, on Sep 25, 2006 03:17 PM, Report abuse Reply
In the last para you have said "Alternatively, you can also opt for a 7.1 channel system as the X-Fi supports it, but we won't really recommend it" why have you said it insite that XI-FI is 8 channel enabled sound card.
by Anil kumart, Delhi, on Sep 24, 2006 11:10 PM, Report abuse Reply
BEYOND TV is much better than XP MCE any day . Use BEYOND TV instead of XP MCE
by Boomshankar, Mumbai, on Sep 24, 2006 12:09 PM, Report abuse Reply
i am reading this article at a time when I am about buy a home theatre system. this is really an eye opener and shows things is possible to integrate.
by srinivas rao, hyderabad, on Sep 24, 2006 08:17 AM, Report abuse Reply
Really a great article guys! Different from the crowd! Keep up the great work!
by Raunak Mehta, Indore, on Sep 23, 2006 11:47 PM, Report abuse Reply
Remains to be seen what absurd excuse will come up next to make the haples "customer" shell more and more for stuff that he can very well live without. I mean cummon guys ..... an HTPC !! next there will be a IYTTTMPC . ( tanslates to If You Travel To The Moon PC). Probbably you will recommend putting a maruti 800 radiater inside (what with double CPU Dual Core and Double Ram and Double Video Card SLI and probably a double for your self so you have four hands with which you can type on the two keyboards !!
by Dual Core, Twin City, on Sep 23, 2006 12:30 AM, Report abuse Reply
by Asim Prabhu, Mumbai, on Sep 23, 2006 04:46 AM, Report abuse
ALSO FAR THOSE WITH DEEEPEST POCKETS WHY SETTLE FOR LESS GO FOR hauppauge wintv pvr 350 has FM as well as MPEG ENCO_DECO + NAME + PLACE FOR ITSELF + TOP OF THE LINE. THOU PL ASK MEDIATECH, MUMBAI
by Asim Prabhu, Mumbai, on Sep 23, 2006 04:53 AM, Report abuse
I cant agree more(double) with you buddy! i guess all sane ppl will feel the same! The "IYTTTMPC " was a good one :)
by Yogesh TS, Bangalore, on Sep 23, 2006 07:51 AM, Report abuse
If I am not mistaken, lots of computer part were used in moon and shuttle missions :D
by Punit, Techtree Test Labs, on Sep 23, 2006 11:22 AM, Report abuse
dude just becoz u cant afford one doesnt mean u sud abuse one.....NTTB4UOUT" which roughly translates into "next time think b4 u open ur Trap"
by Mukesh, Hot_running_water, on Sep 23, 2006 11:45 PM, Report abuse
I think you should use a graphics card with passive cooler may be a passively cooled 7600GT or X1600XT. BTW a really well written and article. I was thinking about building a Media Centre PC and this would certainly help me. Keep it up guys.
by Subhajit, Kolkata, on Sep 22, 2006 11:40 PM, Report abuse Reply
I was given an option between HDMI interface gpu or a passively cooled GPU. Currently, there's no passively cooled HDMI graphic card. So hence, had to leave the passive cooling. But such cards will soon appear. I have already tried giving importance to the noise factor, if you see the disadvantages, CPU selection and cabinet.
by Punit, Techtree Test Labs, on Sep 23, 2006 11:12 AM, Report abuse
But is this card HDCP compliant? If not, I doubt how much value the HDMI output will provide. All the HD content is going to be protected. But it is a nice card. BTW, can any of you guys tell me if ATI TV Wonder cards are available in India?
by Subhajit, Kolkata, on Sep 23, 2006 11:40 AM, Report abuse
Yeas, this card is perfectly HDCP complaint. All your 1080p movies will run without a glitch :D
by Punit, Techtree Test Labs, on Sep 23, 2006 08:40 PM, Report abuse
well done guys....very nice article.
by pdogg, Mumbai, on Sep 23, 2006 07:27 PM, Report abuse Reply
Advance or reversion? It seems that home computer technology has come full circle albeit at a much higher level. Who remembers the days when a home computer comprised a box with an integrated keyboard that used a cassette player to upload and download programs and the living room TV as a monitor?
by Richard Crow, Warsaw, Poland, on Sep 23, 2006 02:35 PM, Report abuse Reply
A great article. For the IYTTTMPC guys, it's just a case of sour grapes. If you don't want it or need it, that's your problem! But I do wish you had included a list of compatible TVs/displays and a list of speaker systems to round out the whole thing. Maybe Part II. Makes me wait for "high-end HTPC". Thanx for a well articulated report. Keep it coming.
by Paresh Kapadia, Pune, on Sep 23, 2006 11:47 AM, Report abuse Reply
No Cheaper options dude? I got E6300 + p5ld2 vm se mobo + seagate 320 gb sata + 500W smps with cabby + pinnacle 50i tv tuner
by Kidrock, mumbai, on Sep 22, 2006 05:53 PM, Report abuse Reply
by Punit, Techtree Test Labs, on Sep 23, 2006 11:28 AM, Report abuse
Is the tv tunner satelite tv compitable i.e. dish tv or tatasky
by osze57, mumbai, on Sep 22, 2006 08:32 PM, Report abuse Reply
This one is not. but you do get Satellite TV compatible TV tuner cards from Compro.
by Punit, Techtree Test Labs, on Sep 23, 2006 11:24 AM, Report abuse
by satyanjoy das, New Delhi, on Sep 23, 2006 11:21 AM, Report abuse Reply
great going punit.this review is really a slap on the face of those selling their stuff for 4000$.looking forward for a high end HTPC from you.by the way does the cost of antec Fusions(14k)justified?also you could recommend a good disply device for this system.
by sachin, goa, on Sep 23, 2006 11:10 AM, Report abuse Reply
More than the looks, its the features which is justified. As a HTPC, noise and heat factor should be minimal. The cabinet has soft silicone grommets all over, so the noise due to the vibrations minimizes. It house 2 * 120 MM fans. Since, the fan are big, thier RPM is low and again reduces noise and has better air CFM, which removes the heat. Also, cabinet will be 1 time invesment, and it is the computer part which you will upgrading. for eg DVD Writer to Blu Ray Writer, 1 GB Ram to 2 GB Ram, windows XP to Windows Vista. You can change everything, but the cabinet remains the same. One time investment is worth it.
by Punit, Techtree Test Labs, on Sep 23, 2006 11:20 AM, Report abuse
Pls suggest processor, motherboard, DVD player, display units, speakers of good quality for assembling HTPC Thanks, AK Shukla
by AK Shukla, KOSAMBA, on Sep 23, 2006 11:08 AM, Report abuse Reply
Storage Infotech was founded in 2001 to focus on entire range of high-end computer hardware solutions includes Rentals and sales of Sun Microsystems, IBM Unix and HP UNIX Servers. Apart from this we also deal with Intel platform servers and Silicon graphics workstations. We service to a wide range of customers including large corporate and small & medium enterprises across India.
by velu, 98855 79942, on Sep 23, 2006 10:56 AM, Report abuse Reply
A Glitch The keyboard retail package doesn't include the USB dongle required to hook up to the computer, since Microsoft assumes you already have one from the MCE system you bought in the first place. Of course, if you're a MCE self-builder, this could mean you have to splash out for the remote and dongle package, as well as the keyboard, just to get the dongle.
by mukand, Bangalore, on Sep 23, 2006 03:44 AM, Report abuse Reply
by sauvikc, mumbai, on Sep 23, 2006 01:20 AM, Report abuse Reply
Excellent article. Well written. I'm certainly going to look into this while converting my p4 3.0ghz into an HTPC...
by Goobimama, goa, on Sep 23, 2006 12:09 AM, Report abuse Reply
ok firstly e6300 or e6400 smokes a 3800x2, and if u'r gonna video encode and stuff u just have to get a core 2 duo. and of course a intel compatible mobo, get asus, they're stable for htpcs. as far as softwares are concerned u forgot ace mega codecs and combined community codec pack.
by Karim Fatehi, Dallas, on Sep 22, 2006 11:42 PM, Report abuse Reply
best is the low end HTPC - that is the PSX . its actually a ps2 with a dvd writer, a 250 gb hard disk for recording and with the modem u can acess intermet and also vide editing S/w which can be bought from sony. unfortunately - i doubt about the modchip. i got mine from japan and i buy original games. i also have an HDTV so it works great with it, go for it, there's nothin lik it
by yoxx01, jo, on Sep 22, 2006 09:11 PM, Report abuse Reply
That "Mid-End", I guess if dad is paying, and "High-End" if I am paying :)
by Jim, Mumbai, on Sep 22, 2006 06:12 PM, Report abuse Reply
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please post new pc buying guide because there is big differnce in price & tech which this post is related new tech are in the market please post new buying guide related to new tech & spec & alo with new price tags
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