I'm seeking advice for a Home Theater PC. I know this question has been asked a million times. I've read a lot of other HTPC threads and looked a lot of discrete components. The difficulty is to figuring out what is still current and what will work as a complete package.
I've been using a laptop with a USB tuner as a kind of prototype. The laptop has an i5 CPU, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 4GB RAM, and connects to the TV with a VGA cable. Those basic specs seem sufficient for XBMC, etc. Handbrake (used for post-processing of recorded TV) does peg all 4 cores for a long time; a faster CPU wouldn't hurt. This is strictly Home Theater, no gaming or other use (although the laptop needs to go back to being a laptop).
Hardware Requirements:
- TV Tuner: At least one PCIe slot for a tuner, probably a WinTV-HVR-2250 (http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hvr2250.html). I will use the “prototype” USB tuner too.
- Multi-terabyte disk: Multiple disks / raid acceptable but not necessary. One thought is to have the OS and apps on an internal SDD and the bulk storage be external. The entertainment center has a large cavity that fits wires and a drive enclosure.
-Bluetooth.
- Wired networking. Wifi is not required.
- Sound: I'm not sure at all how to get the best sound output. I currently have a Samsung HT-C550/XAA "home theater system" (http://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/HT-C550/XAA) that I use for surround sound (and playing DVDs). Is it best to keep using this in conjunction with a sound card that outputs via...? I wouldn't mind eliminating the receiver entirely and driving the speakers directly from the HTPC. Is that possible? If so, using the existing speakers would be great since, well, why not if it works.
- Fit in entertainment center: I have an existing space 16 in deep x 22 in wide x 5 in high (measurements with 0 clearance) where this will reside. Even better, there is a second cavity in the back, besides what I mentioned for the drive enclosure, with similar dimensions but only 10 in deep where the unit would be completely out of sight (I like a clean look). 10 inches might be aggressive? A Silverstone ML04B (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163239) is the general idea, although I think more USB ports would probably be nice.
- DVD: A DVD player is only required if the existing receiver/DVD player is eliminated. Otherwise DVD belongs in the Nice To Have category. It could be external. If so it would be preferable if it can "stand on the side" so that the disk slot is vertical. I do not currently own any BlueRay disks but would consider a BlueRay drive if the price is close to DVD.
Nice to Have:
- Low Power: This is replacing a cable company DVR that used about 35 watts. It would be nice if I can fit better functionality into the same power budget. Also, the "prototype laptop" will wake from sleep to record. I think that requires motherboard support?
- Low Heat / Quiet Cooling. Hopefully this goes along with Low Power.
- Black Case: To blend in. In keeping with the clean look I do not care for a lot of lights and displays on the case.
- Remote Control and IR Blaster (to turn on TV): I'm researching this separately, but suggestions are always welcome.
I am in the North Eastern US, so 120v power. I do not mind purchasing parts from several suppliers.
I know this is long; the goal was to provide sufficient detail... hopefully not too much. Any suggestions on how all of this can be wrapped up into a single build?
Thanks in advance!
I've been using a laptop with a USB tuner as a kind of prototype. The laptop has an i5 CPU, Intel HD Graphics 4000, 4GB RAM, and connects to the TV with a VGA cable. Those basic specs seem sufficient for XBMC, etc. Handbrake (used for post-processing of recorded TV) does peg all 4 cores for a long time; a faster CPU wouldn't hurt. This is strictly Home Theater, no gaming or other use (although the laptop needs to go back to being a laptop).
Hardware Requirements:
- TV Tuner: At least one PCIe slot for a tuner, probably a WinTV-HVR-2250 (http://www.hauppauge.com/site/products/data_hvr2250.html). I will use the “prototype” USB tuner too.
- Multi-terabyte disk: Multiple disks / raid acceptable but not necessary. One thought is to have the OS and apps on an internal SDD and the bulk storage be external. The entertainment center has a large cavity that fits wires and a drive enclosure.
-Bluetooth.
- Wired networking. Wifi is not required.
- Sound: I'm not sure at all how to get the best sound output. I currently have a Samsung HT-C550/XAA "home theater system" (http://www.samsung.com/us/support/owners/product/HT-C550/XAA) that I use for surround sound (and playing DVDs). Is it best to keep using this in conjunction with a sound card that outputs via...? I wouldn't mind eliminating the receiver entirely and driving the speakers directly from the HTPC. Is that possible? If so, using the existing speakers would be great since, well, why not if it works.
- Fit in entertainment center: I have an existing space 16 in deep x 22 in wide x 5 in high (measurements with 0 clearance) where this will reside. Even better, there is a second cavity in the back, besides what I mentioned for the drive enclosure, with similar dimensions but only 10 in deep where the unit would be completely out of sight (I like a clean look). 10 inches might be aggressive? A Silverstone ML04B (http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811163239) is the general idea, although I think more USB ports would probably be nice.
- DVD: A DVD player is only required if the existing receiver/DVD player is eliminated. Otherwise DVD belongs in the Nice To Have category. It could be external. If so it would be preferable if it can "stand on the side" so that the disk slot is vertical. I do not currently own any BlueRay disks but would consider a BlueRay drive if the price is close to DVD.
Nice to Have:
- Low Power: This is replacing a cable company DVR that used about 35 watts. It would be nice if I can fit better functionality into the same power budget. Also, the "prototype laptop" will wake from sleep to record. I think that requires motherboard support?
- Low Heat / Quiet Cooling. Hopefully this goes along with Low Power.
- Black Case: To blend in. In keeping with the clean look I do not care for a lot of lights and displays on the case.
- Remote Control and IR Blaster (to turn on TV): I'm researching this separately, but suggestions are always welcome.
I am in the North Eastern US, so 120v power. I do not mind purchasing parts from several suppliers.
I know this is long; the goal was to provide sufficient detail... hopefully not too much. Any suggestions on how all of this can be wrapped up into a single build?
Thanks in advance!
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