Need to built a computer for Blu-Ray/HD

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manizzle

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I just recently bought a 50" Samsung 1080p HDTV and want to build a computer to allow me to play Blu-Ray discs and rips. I have an old computer but none of the components in in are sufficient. I won't be doing ANY gaming on this computer, it will only be used for music/movies.
 
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gkay09

gkay09

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Jul 28, 2008
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Here is a list of components that you can keep for reference...

CPU - Athlon X2 240 - ~$60
Mobo - A good 785G Chipset mobo - ~75
RAM - 2GB

Rest as per your requirements...
You wont need any separate graphics card as the onboard video is more than suffice for HD playback and the mobo comes with HDMI too...

So if you have any online stores link, from where you can buy, then select the components from that and paste it here...We could see if they are of good quality...
 
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gkay09

gkay09

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^ All the components are good and so is the RAM...For your usage, even this would be fine...But it doesnt come with heatsinks..So if the case that you are choosing is small, then stick with that AData or else get this...
Crucial 2GB (2 x 1GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 800
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820148163

And a good CPU + Mobo combo
1. AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2. GIGABYTE GA-MA785GM-US2H AM3/AM2+/AM2
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ComboDealDetails.aspx?ItemList=Combo.254104

PSU - If you are not sure of adding any separate graphics card, this PSU is more than suffice...But you can add a HD 4670 though and maybe even a HD 4770 using a PCIe power adaptor...
SeaSonic SS-300ET 300W ATX12V Ver.2.2 80 PLUS Certified
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817151059

But if you want to have a option of adding a separate graphics card, then choose a more powerful PSU...
 
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daggs

daggs

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+1 for the combo.
wont the o/b card will suffice for hd and br? the only reason to go with separate gpu is due to memory usage but it is more cheap to buy more ram to compensate for the memory dedicated for the gpu
 
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gkay09

gkay09

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^ Yes true...but if the OP wants to try gaming, then you would certainly need a separate GPU...So it is better that the OP decide on that...So that in the future when he wants to upgrade to a card, the PSU shouldn't be a limiting factor...
But if you just want to PC for music and movies, then that 300W PSU is more than suffice...
 
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ibnsina

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What about the case? if you are getting a new case then I suggest you get an Antec Fusion case, which includes remote control and software. You can control the unit with a remote control.

Whether you want a Blue-Ray Player DVD Burner Combo or Blue Ray Burner. I recommend Pioneer, they make reliable drives. Make sure you use it, with CyberLink PowerDVD 9, it offers the best HD, Blu-ray and DVD playback and for burning medias use Nero.

As for memory 2GB is ok, with prices near record low, I think you should add another $20 and opt for 2 x 2GB, this will make your new system more future proof.

You could also get a wire less keyboard and mouse for browsing the net (logitech is popular,). You can download HD CLIPS, movies. And of course to access the net you will need either a pci wireless N adapter or USB wireless N adapter. Netgear is a popular make, is best to go with known brand else might get into compatibility issues with windows 7.

Also consider adding a Bluetooth to your system either by adding a Bluetooth pci card or A Micro USB adapter. This will allow you to wirelessly connect your Bluetooth devices such phones, music player to the system. http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16833340012



 
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daggs

daggs

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I don't know rosewill but people will tell you to keep away from rosewill psu
 
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RetiredChief

RetiredChief

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Make sure the graphics is HDCP enabled.
These are questions:
- Not sure about the VRAM requirements for a 50 in 1080 P. (ie 1 GIG vs 512). HDMI output implies that it is also HDCP enabled but specs do not state, might want to check gigabyte website.

- Ripping is a function of Player/recorded and CPU. Not all players/recorders are equal. I have the LG H20 and it is ok, but a little slow. Need to check on speed of ripping for AMD vs Intel. NOT recomending either/or - just check performance.

- If you plan one watching Blu-ray, while ripping one - Need two drives (one can be a player only). anlso make sure system upto it.

Corrected mistype 1 Meg - should have been 1 Gig.
 
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manizzle

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Thanks for your reply,
I do not really care about speed of RIPPING, I am not sure how many rips I will use this machine for anyway.

And I will not be ripping while watching, so that won't be an issue either.

Here is what I found on the gigabyte website -
http://www.gigabyte.us/Products/Motherboard/Products_Spec.aspx?ProductID=3143
Looks like it is HDCP enabled, correct??
 
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RetiredChief

RetiredChief

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Concur with being HDCP enabled.

VRAM is dedicated video ram. Not my area of expertise. I have 512 Meg Video ram and have no problems playing blue ray movies on my 24 inch monitor/HDTV. But I see a lot of discussions recommending 1 Gig of video ram for the large LCD screens. Not sure if this is a "gaming issue" (Iknow yout not in to games, neither am I), or a display issue.

A look at your link (Gigabyte MB) does not specify amount of Video ram, so it is probalbly shared ram(borrowed from system memory).
 
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gkay09

gkay09

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^ You can go with it no problems...
You can allocate even 1GB for video but that would not be required...Just allocate 512MB, which is more than suffice for your usage...
So you would get about 1.5GB RAM + 512MB allocated as vRAM...

And I wouldnt suggest that rosewill PSU that comes with the case...
I would rather buy this case + PSU even though its costly, but is well worth it...
ANTEC New Solution Series NSK3480 Mini Case + EA 380W PSU
$87.99
Free Shipping
http://www.zipzoomfly.com/jsp/ProductDetail.jsp?ProductCode=10006029&prodlist=froogle
 
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cobot

cobot

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I don't quite get this. Isn't 1080p still 1080p no matter if it's on a 24" or a 50" screen?

Can you enlighten me, please? :)
 
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RetiredChief

RetiredChief

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Like I said, not my area. But did a google search on Memory requirements for High def TV. It would appear your fine. Min requirements appear to be about 128 meg for Flash 9 1080P video. So 512 should be great. So concur with Gkay09.

http://www.adobe.com/products/hdvideo/systemreqs.html

It would appear that thoes recommending 1 Gig for large screens take into account gaming (3 D rendering). 1 Frame buffer size is only arround 8 Megs.
 
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manizzle

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So I got and installed my system, works good except for the reason I built it - for Blu-Rays. I installed PowerDVD and it wouldn't start, it will crash right after I click open and won't even give an error message.

I then ran BD Advisor, which tells you if your system is sufficient enough for Blu-Rays through PowerDVD, and it tells me that my Graphics Card is sufficient enough, but my Graphics Card Driver is not. Here is the link to my MB - http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128394
And it says that the driver is ATI Radeon HD 4200. I did searches to find this driver everywhere and cannot find it.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, I'm using VLC for my Blu-Ray's right now and it skips terribly.

Thanks.
 
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RetiredChief

RetiredChief

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(1) Do not think that AMD supports/provides VGA drivers for alot of their integrated GPUs. You would need to get them from the Computer Vender - in your case MB vender Gigabyte. The only ref I found was for a combination "ChipSet/VGA\Sata Raid driver". Ex - For 32 Bit Vista the latest version is 8.641 dtd 2009/09/07

2009/09/07 AMD Chipset Driver (include chipset\sata raid\vga driver)
Download from :
Asia Asia(China) America Europe Europe(Russia) : ftp / http
O.S. : Windows Vista x86 (32-bit)

Link ( can select your operating system.
http://www.gigabyte.us/Support/Motherboard/Driver_Model.aspx?ProductID=3143&ost=others#anchor_os

(2) Give the trial version of AnyDVD a try.
http://www.gigabyte.us/Support/Motherboard/Driver_Model.aspx?ProductID=3143&ost=others#anchor_os

(3) Buy a video card - A ATI low profile card w/512 Megs can be had relatively cheap - AND would be Much better than the integrated GPU, and supported by ATI
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16814102829
 
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