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[Solved] DVR/Blu ray system, need advice

Forum Homebuilt Systems : New System Build - [Solved] DVR/Blu ray system, need advice

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Best answer from rwpritchett.

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parsonsparsons   11-05-2009 at 10:49:28 PM

So I think I've got all the hardware figured out, if anyone notices I missed anything please tell me. This is the first time I've ever built a DVR. I was going to originally go with Windows Media Center for the OS but the negative reviews on newegg turned me off.

I can't get wish lists on newegg to work right now so heres my parts:



Antec New Solution NSK2480 Black/Silver 0.8mm cold-rolled steel MicroATX Desktop Computer Case 380W Power Supply - Retail
Model #:NSK2480
Item #:N82E16811129034
Return Policy:Limited Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock

$109.89 -$10.00 Instant $99.89
1 Western Digital Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Model #:WD6400AAKS
Item #:N82E16822136218
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$69.99 $69.99
1 Foxconn A76ML-K AM3 Ready / AM2+ / AM2 AMD 760G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

Foxconn A76ML-K AM3 Ready / AM2+ / AM2 AMD 760G Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Model #:A76ML-K
Item #:N82E16813186166
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$56.99 -$5.00 Instant $51.99
1 Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 Media Center Kit Dual TV Tuner 1213 PCI-Express x1 Interface

Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 Media Center Kit Dual TV Tuner 1213 PCI-Express x1 Interface - Retail
Model #:1213 HAUPPAUGE
Item #:N82E16815116036
Return Policy:VGA Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$149.99 -$20.00 Instant $129.99
1 G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 (PC2 8500) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK - Retail
Model #:F2-8500CL5D-4GBPK
Item #:N82E16820231166
Return Policy:Memory Standard Return Policy
In Stock

$94.99 $94.99
1 AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX240OCGQBOX

AMD Athlon II X2 240 Regor 2.8GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX240OCGQBOX - Retail
Model #:ADX240OCGQBOX
Item #:N82E16819103688
Return Policy:CPU Replacement Only Return Policy
In Stock

$60.00 $60.00
1 Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
Model #:GFC-00599
Item #:N82E16832116754
Return Policy:Software Return Policy
In Stock

$106.99 $106.99
1 LITE-ON Black 4X Blu-ray Disc Reader SATA Model iHOS104-08

LITE-ON Black 4X Blu-ray Disc Reader SATA Model iHOS104-08 - Retail
Model #:iHOS104-08
Item #:N82E16827106326
Return Policy:Standard Return Policy
In Stock

Basically is the video going to be enough, will the PSU be enough, and will windows 7 work well? I appreciate anyones comments or suggestions.

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Best answer from rwpritchett
Welcome to the HTPC world.

 

Windows 7 Media Center is excellent for for HTPC use. I don't know what reviews you've read but Win7 Home Premium is the most robust, well-integrated, 3rd party supported media software out there.

 

Your build looks excellent with the exception of the motherboard. The 760G chipset will not offload the blu-ray decoding. Get a 785G chipset instead. If you do go for a 785G chipset, keep in mind that there are DDR3 and DDR2 boards so change your RAM accordingly if needed.

 

You could bump up the 240 Regor to the 245 since it's only $6 more (or the 250 for that matter since it's only $16 more). The 240 will do just fine in an HTPC however.

 

Also, you will need blu-ray playback software as the PowerDVD 8 that comes with your selected BD drive only outputs 2-channel audio according to newegg reviews. That being the case, you can get the OEM version of that same drive and put the money saved towards software. I personally recommend Arcsoft Total Media Theatre 3 Platinum for blu-ray since it integrates very well with Windows Media Center.

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rwpritchett   11-05-2009 at 11:11:21 PM
Best answer

Welcome to the HTPC world.

 

Windows 7 Media Center is excellent for for HTPC use. I don't know what reviews you've read but Win7 Home Premium is the most robust, well-integrated, 3rd party supported media software out there.

 

Your build looks excellent with the exception of the motherboard. The 760G chipset will not offload the blu-ray decoding. Get a 785G chipset instead. If you do go for a 785G chipset, keep in mind that there are DDR3 and DDR2 boards so change your RAM accordingly if needed.

 

You could bump up the 240 Regor to the 245 since it's only $6 more (or the 250 for that matter since it's only $16 more). The 240 will do just fine in an HTPC however.

 

Also, you will need blu-ray playback software as the PowerDVD 8 that comes with your selected BD drive only outputs 2-channel audio according to newegg reviews. That being the case, you can get the OEM version of that same drive and put the money saved towards software. I personally recommend Arcsoft Total Media Theatre 3 Platinum for blu-ray since it integrates very well with Windows Media Center.


Message edited by rwpritchett on 11-05-2009 at 11:15:10 PM
Reply to rwpritchett
parsonsparsons   11-05-2009 at 11:23:01 PM

I'm building this for my parents for xmas. They don't have surround sound atm so I'm okay with 2.1 for blu ray.

Okay heres the new cart:


Antec New Solution NSK2480 Black/Silver 0.8mm cold-rolled steel MicroATX Desktop Computer Case 380W Power Supply - Retail
Item #: N82E16811129034
Return Policy: Limited Replacement Only Return Policy

-$10.00 Instant



$109.89
$99.89

1

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5

Western Digital Caviar Blue WD6400AAKS 640GB 7200 RPM SATA 3.0Gb/s 3.5" Internal Hard Drive -Bare Drive
Item #: N82E16822136218
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy




$69.99

1

GIGABYTE GA-MA785GMT-UD2H AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard

GIGABYTE GA-MA785GMT-UD2H AM3 AMD 785G HDMI Micro ATX AMD Motherboard - Retail
Item #: N82E16813128397
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy




$89.99

1

Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 Media Center Kit Dual TV Tuner 1213 PCI-Express x1 Interface

Hauppauge WinTV-HVR-2250 Media Center Kit Dual TV Tuner 1213 PCI-Express x1 Interface - Retail
Item #: N82E16815116036
Return Policy: VGA Standard Return Policy

-$20.00 Instant



$149.99
$129.99

1

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK

G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10666) Dual Channel Kit Desktop Memory Model F3-10666CL8D-4GBHK - Retail
Item #: N82E16820231189
Return Policy: Memory Standard Return Policy




$89.99

1

AMD Athlon II X2 245 Regor 2.9GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX245OCGQBOX

AMD Athlon II X2 245 Regor 2.9GHz Socket AM3 65W Dual-Core Processor Model ADX245OCGQBOX - Retail
Item #: N82E16819103687
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy




$66.00

1

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders

Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit 1-Pack for System Builders - OEM
Item #: N82E16832116754
Return Policy: Software Return Policy




$106.99

1

LITE-ON Black 4X Blu-ray Disc Reader SATA Model iHOS104-08

LITE-ON Black 4X Blu-ray Disc Reader SATA Model iHOS104-08 - Retail
Item #: N82E16827106326
Return Policy: Standard Return Policy

I hope I'm not forgetting anything.

Message quoted 1 times
Reply to parsonsparsons
rwpritchett   11-05-2009 at 11:42:27 PM

parsonsparsons wrote :

I hope I'm not forgetting anything.

Wireless keyboard w/trackball or pad and a media center remote control?

Reply to rwpritchett
parsonsparsons   11-05-2009 at 11:44:01 PM

The tv tuner card comes with a remote, is that not sufficient?

Reply to parsonsparsons
rwpritchett   11-06-2009 at 12:07:57 AM

I missed that.. it should work. A wireless keyboard is still a must-have item though.

Reply to rwpritchett
parsonsparsons   11-06-2009 at 12:14:09 AM

And the PSU will be okay? I wasn't sure if 380W was enough.


Message edited by parsonsparsons on 11-06-2009 at 12:14:27 AM
Reply to parsonsparsons
rwpritchett   11-06-2009 at 12:23:43 AM

380W is good enough from a reputable brand. This one is an Antec Earthwatts which are made by Seasonic (that's a good thing).

It's plenty for this system, and quiet too.

Reply to rwpritchett
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