Posts tagged with Build or Buy?
How To: Guide for the Assembly of an HTPC
Posted by Jay Taylor in 10:18 AM
(6 votes, average: 4.83 out of 5)
Loading ...Building your own AMD technology-based HTPC, where do you start?
For those of you that have been following along our AMD@Home blog, you know I have written multiple blogs on HTPC topics such as why you might want one and the cool things you can do with it. I have even covered how I am using one at home for my family’s TV viewing needs.
For this entry, I’m adding a little flair to the blog series by taking your through the videos for the assembly of an HTPC and show how easy it is to put one together. There are a total of 9 videos in this series — most are only a couple of minutes long so it should make for easy viewing.
One of the main advantages of building your own system is that you are in control not only of the cost, but also the features and functions. You get to choose exactly what components will go into the build and a sense of pride when the job is complete.
The video series highlights the basic steps needed to assemble an HTPC. It is not necessary to follow the steps in the exact order — these are just a guideline to the assembly process. The steps and order may be specific to the chassis you are using.
To keep me and AMD out of trouble (and to keep our lawyers happy), I need to toss in the disclaimer…With any DIY build, you should ensure that you are properly grounded and building in an anti static environment so as not to damage any components. You should wear the appropriate safety gear and it is always best that trained professionals do the building. With that said, let’s take a look at the videos.
For this video, I chose the Lian Li C39 for the video build. I wanted something low profile yet still able to support a full ATX PSU and have the additional ability to upgrade further as needed. However, there are many chassis options available to meet many different needs and budgets.
Optical and Hard Disk Drive Installation
As you can see from video, installing Optical drives and Hard Drives are pretty easy. You will likely need to adjust the optical drives position so that it properly aligns with the eject button on the chassis. Also note that HDDs can create a lot of noise and vibration while spinning. The rubber grommets will help isolate vibration and keep your HTPC quiet. It is also worth mentioning that some HDDs are more suited for HTPC use than others. See my earlier blog on Industry Changes to learn more.
Power Supply Unit (PSU) Installation
With this chassis, I chose to install the PSU after setting up the drives so that I would have more room to get to the drive bay. Other chassis may follow a different order depending on how it’s laid out. Note that for an HTPC, you typically don’t need a high wattage supply so look for one that is quiet and stable rather than high wattage which can create more noise. Typically, anything over 350W should be OK for most HTPC configurations, however, this is somewhat dependent on just how many different devices you are installing.
As you can see here, I waited to install the motherboard until the other components were set up. Be careful not to scratch the bottom of the motherboard on the board standoffs/mounts. This could cause shorting or stability issues.
TIP: If the board standoffs on the chassis do not provide enough support in critical parts of the board where you might be applying pressure (installing memory, cables, etc.), get some electrical tape and roll it up (like a sleeping bag) until it is about the thickness of the standoffs. Then using another piece of electrical tape, tape it down to the chassis in the areas where you want extra support. Since the electrical tape is non conductive, it will provide support without creating a short against the motherboard.
Consult your motherboard documentation for the exact layout of the pin headers and wiring. While I did not take all the time necessary for the video, I can’t say this enough: It is important that you wrap up and tie off any unused cables. Use zip ties (zip strips) or other non metallic material to get those cables out of the way. They are not expensive so be generous when applying those zip ties. Not only will this make the inside of your chassis look better, it will greatly aid in allowing air to circulate through the chassis more effectively. Bad airflow leading to overheating components is a common cause for system stability issues. Tie Off Those Cables!
Some boards use integrated audio so you may not need to follow this step. Refer to your motherboard manufacturer to determine how the audio on your system will be set up and connected.
You will also note that because the board I am using supports integrated video, I did not need to install a discrete graphics card.
As you can see here, there are a lot of different TV tuner options for your HTPC. If you are installing a TV tuner in your HTPC, find one that best meets your needs and budget. For North American builders, it is also important to know whether you are looking for an over-the-air solution, clearQAM solution or digital cable card solution. For those in regions outside North America, you will need to determine if you need a tuner that supports DVB-T, DVB-S or other regional formats.
Most motherboards will offer a dual channel memory configuration with 4 slots. While gaming PCs or high end workstations might benefit from installing the memory in the slots nearest the CPU, HTPCs are not high demanding memory implementations. Therefore, it probably won’t make much difference which slots you choose to install the memory in. However, refer to your motherboard’s manual for the recommended procedure.
One of the final steps in this build was to install the CPU and Heatsink. Our CPU sockets are often referred to as ZIF (Zero Insertion Force) sockets. This means it should require no force to install the CPU. The CPU should just drop into the socket once the lever is raised. If you have to apply any pressure to install the CPU…STOP. This means that there is a problem somewhere. Perhaps the pins are not properly aligned with the socket holes, the socket lever is not raised or some other issue has occurred.
With the assembly complete, you are just about ready to power up and start installing the operating system, drivers and applications. Soon you will be on your way to enjoying your new HTPC and all the functions and features it offers. Again, if you would prefer a pre built system, you might want to read through my Build or Buy blog post.
You can find these and other AMD related videos on our AMD Unprocessed Channel on Youtube.
Till next time, Happy Trails!
Jay Taylor is a Senior Developer Relations Engineer at AMD. His postings are his own opinions and may not represent AMD’s positions, strategies or opinions. Links to third party sites are provided for convenience and unless explicitly stated, AMD is not responsible for the contents of such linked sites and no endorsement is implied.
Building an HTPC on a Budget (part 2)
Posted by Jay Taylor in 8:33 AM
A hardware roundup – The Mainstream/Mid Level Build!
As stated in the first part of this blog series, I have seen different sites put together a list of potential HTPC hardware for budgets under $1000 USD. While many of these sites are showcasing some nice systems, I think there are multiple ways to approach this project. As such, I put together my own list for a potential HTPC build while offering some options to hit different price points — entry level, mainstream/mid level and higher end systems — each less than $1000 USD. In part one, I covered the basic entry level system. It served as a starting point for a system that could be easily upgraded. This time, I want to look at some upgrades we can do to the entry level system to enhance the features/functions of the HTPC that make it more of a mainstream system.
So what can you expect from a mainstream HTPC build? It should be able to easily handle all the same tasks as the entry level build and more. With the mainstream system, we can add Blu-ray playback, transcoding content for portable devices, streaming content to other devices (other PCs, extenders, etc.) and TV tuning functionality.
I would like to point out, these are just guideposts to provide a frame of reference for feature sets, functions and price points. Some features may be more important than others to you as the reader. Therefore, you may want to consider changing individual components to better meet your needs. I am listing some optional equipment for your consideration. I have tried to note component choices that are unchanged from the entry build and those that are upgrades.
Motherboard (Unchanged)
Like before, at the heart of any HTPC platform is the motherboard and critical to the motherboard is the chipset. So, starting with the Gigabyte GA-MA785GPMT-UD2H board from last time, this board has a host of features that make for a good HTPC system. Being uATX, it can be put into a reasonably sized chassis (think ~VCR size). It is based upon the AMD RS785G chipset so it has great video performance and supports HD resolutions (including Blu-ray), when combined with an HD monitor. The UVD-2 support along with the powerful integrated graphics and 128MB of sideport memory provide smooth video playback. The HDMI output offers easy connectivity to your HD TV. All-in-all, this makes for a good solution for the HTPC.
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-MA785GPMT-UD2H $94.99 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128399&Tpk=GA-MA785GPMT-UD2H
CPU (Upgrade)
As stated earlier, processing power plays an important role in an HTPC. Depending on what it is you want to do with your HTPC, you may need more speed in your CPU or you may need more cores in your CPU. To improve the system responsiveness in transcoding as well as to deliver more horsepower to the system so it can handle multiple video streams to other devices on the network, I opted for the AMD PhenomTM II X3 705e triple-core processor. This is a nice balance between frequency and core count, yet still a low power processor at 65W.
CPU: AMD PhenomTM II X3 705e triple-core processor $129.00
http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/searchtools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=4695460&SRCCODE=GOOGLEBASE&cm_mmc_o=VRqCjC7BBTkwCjCECjCE
CPU Cooler (Optional Upgrade)
This one can be a little harder to address. When buying an AMD Processor In a Box (PIB) product, the heatsink will generally come with the CPU purchase in a nice box. These can be very effective and quiet coolers for most HTPC tasks. However, there are some solutions out there designed for quiet operation. Some are low profile while others are passive (no fan) solutions. Therefore, in addition to the stock cooler, I am providing some optional cooling solutions for those that are interested. However, I am not adding these into the overall pricing since the stock cooler is great for most HTPC builds.
Scythe Mini Ninja is a nice cooler with a quiet design. However, it may not fit in all chassis designs. $35.99
http://www.directron.com/scmnj1100.html
Noiselimit Silent Flux Media Cooler is another nice option. It too is a quiet design with a low profile. $39.99
http://www.directron.com/3100003.html
Memory (Unchanged)
Now for memory. There are not a lot of optimizations a memory vendor can do for an HTPC type scenario. Unlike video games applications or other mainstream desktop applications, HTPCs don’t need the fastest memory available. Likewise, they don’t necessarily need huge amounts of memory to provide great performance. I have found that 2GB is a pretty good amount of memory to start with for an HTPC. Rule of thumb is to get as much as possible of the fastest memory that fits within your budget. For cost effectiveness, brand recognition and performance, I chose to go with memory from Kingston for this build.
Memory: Kingston 2GB Kit (2×1GB) of DDR3 1066 $46.49 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134492
Note: It is a good idea to check with your board manufacturer for compatible memory. It should also be pointed out that if you are using a 32 bit operating system, anything over 4GBs will not be recognized by the system (actually about 3.5GB will be seen by the OS).
Audio (Included)
One thing I did not mention last time was the audio solution. Depending on your audio requirements, the motherboard has multiple options to handle audio. Audio can be run over HDMI to your AVR or TV or alternatively, you can pass the audio over the optical SPDIF port controlled by the the Realtek codec on board (RT889 chip).
HDD (Upgrade)
Vendors like Seagate, Samsung, Western Digital, and Hitachi also offer a variety of products for the PC space. Like AMD, they have some products that target the lower power environment. Seagate’s Pipeline HD series, Western Digital’s Green series, Samsung’s EcoGreen and Hitachi’s Cinemastar series drives are optimized for low power and quiet operation. These drives typically have fluid bearings, improved firmware and thermals that make them well suited for HTPC applications. Like memory, more storage is usually a good thing for an HTPC.
For this system, I opted to go with a larger drive to allow more room for storage of content. However, one option to consider is having a multi drive system. For example, 1 drive for the OS + applications and 1 drive for content storage (shows, pictures, music, etc). In that case, 1 smaller drive and 1 larger drive might better serve your needs.
HDD: Samsung Eco Green 1TB Green HDD $79.99 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822152173
Optical Disk Drive (ODD) (Upgrade)
Selecting an optical drive can be a little challenging because it is often hard to tell the advantages of one over another. I have used a variety of drives over the years — some more reliable than others and some quieter than others. However, for me when it comes to the HTPC discussion, it boils down to DVD vs. Blu-ray. With the format war over and Blu-ray drive prices coming down, it does make for a nice upgrade to the HTPC.
ODD: Lite-On Blu-ray ROM (OEM version) $59.99 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106325
Note: Drive listed is the OEM version. It may or may not ship with Blu-ray playback software Retail versions typically ship with additional software. However, I am listing some optional Blu-ray software below that has worked well for me.
Chassis (Upgrade)
In an earlier blog, I covered some of the different chassis solutions on the market. Selecting a chassis really depends on personal tastes, budget, room decor, etc. The criteria I used below included a combination of price and functionality, yet still fitting the overall HTPC look and feel. In this case, I am listing a couple of options that can be nice choices for an HTPC. However, adjust your choice and budget based upon your own goals.
The nMedia chassis has a nice feature set supporting multiple HDDs, full ATX PSU, good airflow and full size card support.
nMedia H1000b $79.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811204030
The Antec chassis is a low profile solution that supports a pretty small footprint. It offers an integrated PSU, front panel display and remote control and adjustable speed chassis fans. However, note that being low profile, it may not work with your CPU cooler. Be sure to check the dimensions of your preferred cooler to ensure compatibility with this chassis.
Antec uFusion Remote 350 $99.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811129046
Power Supply Unit (PSU) (Optional Upgrade)
In the previous blog, I mentioned that Power Supplies are an important part of an HTPC build. The Antec chassis I used this time also included a 350W PSU which is pretty good for most HTPC configurations using this chassis. However, the other chassis does support a standard ATX type PSU, which greatly opens up the option for selecting quiet, reliable supplies.
For the mainstream build with the nMedia chassis, I opted for the Corsair 450VX. This is one of the more quiet PSUs I have had the pleasure of working with on previous HTPC builds.
Corsair 450VX PSU $74.99
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16817139003
TV Tuner (Optional Upgrade)
Now, to me this is a really nice addition to an HTPC. There are some that will argue that TV tuners provide no real value since you can find just about anything online. For some, this may be true, but others find a great deal of value in a TV Tuner card. In fact, some people (like myself) install multiple tuners so they can watch/record multiple shows at one time. Being able to combine broadcast TV with online TV content is somewhat of a best of both worlds approach. Likewise, some tuners not only support ATSC content (Digital OTA broadcasts) but also support Clear QAM content from cable companies. Therefore, you may want to consider adding a TV Tuner to your HTPC build.
As mentioned in an earlier blog, I used this hybrid approach of TV tuners + online content to cancel my satellite service and save money each month. The TV Tuner provides me with some really nice HD content for free (over the air TV content) and I have the option of using my HTPC as a DVR as well. For everything else, I just go online.
For this build I opted for the TV Wonder 650 card from Diamond Multimedia. There is also a retail version of this unit that comes with additional hardware and software for just a little more money. It is nice to have but not required, since the OEM units will work just fine as well. I should also point out that the tuner listed is a combo tuner which means it has 2 fully functional tuners integrated into the design and both can operate at the same time. You can opt for a Hybrid tuner which also has two tuners, but only one can be active at a time. This can save you a little money if budgets are tight. I am using two of the ATI branded version of this card and it works great.
TV Tuner: Diamond TV Wonder 650 $84.99 (OEM Version)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16815306018
Now, the unit does come with a remote, but I recommend using the standard MCE remote below along with the media center software from Microsoft. It makes things very simple to set up and use.
Note: Make sure you purchase the appropriate tuner card interface (PCI or PCIe®) to match the available slot on your motherboard.
Remote Control (Unchanged)
The Remote Control is another important piece of your HTPC. I have already posted about this in part 1 and part 2 of the series. Microsoft’s Media Center product that is included with some versions of their operating system does a very nice job of bringing the “10-foot experience” to the PC. While the basic remote is certainly one option, there are some remotes that provide more functionality than the basic remote and are programmable so you may be able to simplify at the same time. Therefore, you might want to read through the series on remote controls to see what options are out there. However, for the sake of simplicity, I am keeping the same remote option for this build.
Remote: Anywhere Media Center Remote with IR receiver $22.99 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880121001
Keyboard/Mouse (Unchanged)
Similar to remotes, keyboards are another important part of your HTPC solution. See part 1 of the Remote Control series for more info on keyboard options. For this build, I kept the choice of the Logitech keyboard/mouse Bluetooth solution for both range and functionality. Having both keyboard and mouse functionality out of the same device makes it easy to use.
Keyboard: Logitech Mediaboard Pro $69.99 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16879212011
Operating System (Unchanged)
There are many different options here and many people will have their own opinion of what operating system to use. With Microsoft® Windows® 7 just around the corner (October 22nd expected release date), it is probably worthwhile to wait and use that as everything I have seen with Windows 7 looks to be very impressive for both general PC duties in addition to HTPC duties. (A Windows 7 capable PC configuration will be required.) Linux® is another very viable option and very cost effective. However, you might need more experience with setting up and configuring a Linux based system to get everything working to your liking.
Blue-ray Software (Optional)
Microsoft’s media player included with their OS works great for standard DVD playback. However, it is not capable of playing back Blue-ray discs. As such, additional software is needed. As mentioned above, some Blu-ray drives will ship with the necessary s/w for Blu-ray playback and like many drive s/w bundles, it may or may not work well for you. I have found some Blu-ray playback s/w that has worked pretty well for me.
Arcsoft Total Media Theater
http://www.arcsoft.com/estore/software_title.asp?ProductCode=TMT3P
Cyberlink Power DVD
http://www.cyberlink.com/products/powerdvd/overview_en_US.html
Conclusion
OK, that covers most of the components you will need for the mainstream system. The total cost of the hardware listed above starts at $688.42 USD + operating system. I did not include the playback s/w nor the optional coolers in the cost because as mentioned some ODD drives come bundled with playback s/w and the stock cooler works well for most HTPC builds.
Overall, you can see that by increasing the budget about $250, we can greatly increase the functionality and features of the HTPC by adding Blu-ray playback, Live TV playback via a TV tuner, DVR functionality, better CPU horsepower for streaming and transcoding, etc. and a more aesthetically appealing chassis. Still well below the $1000.00 USD and we get a very functional HTPC that can probably handle just about anything you throw at it. If your budget is somewhere between the entry build and the mainstream system, this should give you an idea of different upgrade options to get more features that fit within your budget.
Note, I am listing prices in US dollars found online as of the day this was written. These are not the only sources for hardware and there are plenty of choices on where to purchase. Likewise, this does not reflect shipping, rebates, bundle deals, etc. or online retailers for readers in other countries. So do your homework to get the best deals when you purchase and you may be able to get even better prices than what’s listed here.
For those that would rather purchase a pre configured HTPC, see my “Build or Buy?” blog posting.
So, as you can see, building a mainstream HTPC does cost more, but you also get more functionality. Again, don’t look at this blog as a hard requirement but more of a sign post to help you along the way. If there are functions that are more/less important to you, feel free to swap out a more suitable part for your needs and budget.
Till next time, Happy Trails!
Jay Taylor is a Senior Developer Relations Engineer at AMD. His postings are his own opinions and may not represent AMD’s positions, strategies or opinions. Links to third party sites are provided for convenience and unless explicitly stated, AMD is not responsible for the contents of such linked sites and no endorsement is implied.
Building an HTPC on a Budget (part 1)
Posted by Jay Taylor in 8:43 PM
A hardware roundup – The Entry Level Build!
I have seen different sites put together a list of potential HTPC hardware for budgets under $1000 USD. While many of these sites are showcasing some nice systems, I think there are multiple ways to approach this project. As such, I put together my own list for a potential HTPC build while offering some options to hit different price points — entry level, mainstream/mid level and higher end systems — each less than $1000 USD. So here’s the first part of the series: The Entry Level Build.
For me, there are two things that drive my decision process when making a component selection for an HTPC; product performance/features and cost. I want technology that will offer good performance, aimed at the HTPC space, yet will not “break the bank”. As I outlined in my previous blogs, the HTPC does not require the absolute highest performance products, nor should it be about buying the cheapest products. What the HTPC needs is a combination of more balanced products that offer good performance and low power draw — all within a reasonable budget. I have seen too many individuals less that satisfied with their HTPCs because they bought the absolute highest performance products on the market and their HTPC was just too loud. Similarly, I have seen many others buy the cheapest products they could find only to realize their HTPC could not handle the tasks they desired.
So what can you expect from an entry level HTPC build? An entry level system can handle many of your standard HTPC duties. It should be able to offer smooth HD playback without dropping frames. It should handle most streamed online content (think Hulu, Netflix, YouTube, etc.). It should be able to drive HD resolutions (1080p, 720p) and do a decent job of upscaling standard DVDs. It should be able to play most mainstream games at lower resolutions (1024 x 768, 800 x 600, etc.) and still look good. However, check with the game manufacturer for complete system requirements.
Motherboard
At the heart of any HTPC platform is the motherboard and critical to the motherboard is the chipset. For this entry level budget HTPC build, I opted for the Gigabyte GA-MA785GPMT-UD2H. This board has a host of features that make for a good HTPC system. Being uATX, it can be put into a reasonably sized chassis (think ~VCR size). It is based upon the AMD RS785 chipset so it has great video performance and supports HD Resolutions (including Blu-ray), when combined with an HD monitor. The UVD-2 support is really useful for hardware acceleration of video related content. The powerful integrated graphics eliminates the need for a discrete card (saving power and money). The HDMI output offers easy connectivity to your HD TV. All-in-all, this makes for a good solution for the HTPC.
Motherboard: Gigabyte GA-MA785GPMT-UD2H $94.99 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16813128399&Tpk=GA-MA785GPMT-UD2H
CPU
Processing power plays an important role in an HTPC. Depending on what it is you want to do with your HTPC, you may need more speed in your CPU or you may need more cores in your CPU. For example, if you will be using your HTPC to do a lot of transcoding, a CPU with more cores will offer you better performance. However, some applications may benefit from higher frequencies. You should really look at all the applications you are going to be using with your HTPC and determine if those applications would benefit from more cores or higher frequencies. In any case, you will still want low power CPUs for their superior thermal performance. The processor I selected for this entry build is the AMD AthlonTM II X2 240 dual-core processor. It is a dual core, low power processor that offers a great performance for the price.
CPU: AMD AthlonTM II X2 240 dual-core processor $60.99 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103688
CPU Cooler
This one can be a little harder to address. When buying an AMD Processor In a Box (PIB) product, the heatsink will generally come with the CPU purchase in a nice box. These can be very effective and quiet coolers for most HTPC tasks.
Memory
Now for memory. There are not a lot of optimizations a memory vendor can do for an HTPC type scenario. Unlike video games applications or other mainstream desktop applications, HTPCs don’t need the fastest memory available. Likewise, they don’t necessarily need huge amounts of memory to provide great performance. I have found that 2GB is a pretty good amount of memory to start with for an HTPC. Rule of thumb is to get as much of the fastest memory that fits within your budget. For cost effectiveness, brand recognition and performance, I chose to go with memory from Kingston for this build.
Memory: Kingston 2GB Kit (2×1GB) of DDR3 1066 $43.99 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16820134492
Note: if you are using a 32 bit operating system, anything over 4GBs will not be recognized by the system (actually about 3.5GB will be seen by the OS).
HDD
Vendors like Seagate, Western Digital, and Hitachi also offer a variety of products for the PC space. Like AMD, they have some products that target this lower power environment. Seagate’s Pipeline HD series, Western Digital’s Green series, and Hitachi’s Cinemastar series drives are optimized for low power and quiet operation. These drives typically have fluid bearings, improved firmware and thermals that make them more suited for HTPC applications. Like memory, more storage is usually a good thing for an HTPC. If you plan on doing a lot of recording of TV, storing movies, music, etc. then again, purchasing as much storage as your budget allows is probably a good thing. For this build I chose the Western Digital 500GB Green drive.
HDD: Western Digital 500GB Green HDD $54.99 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822136358
Optical Disk Drive (ODD)
Selecting an optical drive can be a little challenging because it is often hard to tell the advantages of one over another. I have used a variety of drives over the years — some more reliable than others and some quieter than others. However, for me when it comes to the HTPC discussion, it boils down to DVD vs. Blu-ray. With the HD DVD / Blu-ray format war over, it does make the decision a little easier, but you still really need to look at what you are planning to do and how much you want to budget for the ODD. Upscaled DVD content can look very good on an HDTV. In my opinion, the clarity of Blu-ray really starts to show up at screen sizes larger than 50 inches. At 50 inches and below, upscaled DVD can look very nice and can save the consumer some money. Therefore, to keep costs within an entry level price point, I opted for a standard DVD.
ODD: Lite-On DVD ROM $17.99 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106274
Chassis
In an earlier blog, I covered some of the different chassis solutions on the market. Selecting a chassis really depends on personal tastes, budget, room decor, etc. The criteria I used below included a combination of price and functionality, yet still fitting the overall HTPC look and feel. However, adjust your budget based upon your own goals.
Chassis: HEC SECC 7K09 $54.99 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811121027
Power Supply
Included in Chassis for this build. PSU selection is an important topic and we will talk more about this in upcoming blog.
Remote Control
The Remote Control is another important piece of your HTPC. I have already posted part 1 of the 2 part series on remote controls and I am currently working on the second part of that series. Microsoft’s Media Center product that is included with some versions of their operating system does a very nice job of bringing the “10-foot experience” to the PC. They make it very easy to access things like live and recorded TV (assuming you have a TV tuner installed), music, photos and more with just a remote. In fact, I have my HTPC set up so that I rarely (if ever) need to pick up a keyboard. As such, I think every HTPC user should add a remote to their configuration. Some higher-end remotes can be very expensive while offering more functionality, but may not be required for many of the basic functions of the HTPC. For a budget solution, I opted for the basic IR-based Media Center remote from Anywhere.
Remote: Anywhere Media Center Remote with IR receiver $22.99 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16880121001
Keyboard/Mouse
Similar to remotes, keyboards are another important part of your HTPC solution. See part 1 of the Remote Control series for more info on keyboard options. For this budget build, I chose the Logitech keyboard/mouse Bluetooth solution for both range and functionality. Having both keyboard and mouse functionality out of the same device makes it easy to use. You could buy a separate keyboard and mouse as an option, but you would probably be close to this same price anyway.
Keyboard: Logitech Mediaboard Pro $69.99 USD
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16879212011
Operating System
There are many different options here and many people will have their own opinion of what operating system to use. For simplicity, I am suggesting Microsoft’s Windows Vista® Home Premium solution. However, with Microsoft® Windows® 7 just around the corner, it may be worthwhile to wait and use that instead. Everything I have seen with Windows 7 looks to be very impressive for both general PC duties in addition to HTPC duties. (A Windows 7 capable PC configuration will be required.) Linux® is another very viable option and very cost effective. However, you might need more experience with setting up and configuring a Linux based system to get everything working to your liking.
OS: Windows Vista® Home Premium $99.99 USD (or wait for Windows® 7 Home Premium)
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16832116485
OK, that covers most of the components you will need. The total cost of the hardware listed above comes to $420.92 USD + $99.99 USD for the operating system. Not a bad price for everything you are getting. Prices do not reflect any rebates or discounts that might be available nor does it include shipping costs. Sometimes you can get bundle deals, free shipping, etc. So do your research to get the best deals when you purchase and you may be able to get even better prices than what’s listed here.
Note, I am listing prices in US dollars found on Newegg as of the day this was written. They are not the only source and there are plenty of choices on where to purchase.
For those that would rather purchase a pre configured HTPC, see my “Build or Buy?” blog posting.
So, as you can see, building a budget HTPC is not all that expensive plus you can get very robust functionality. In the next part of this series, we will look at a mainstream, mid level build and bump up some of the functions and features to get a more robust HTPC experience.
Till next time, Happy Trails!
Jay Taylor is a Senior Developer Relations Engineer at AMD. His postings are his own opinions and may not represent AMD’s positions, strategies or opinions. Links to third party sites are provided for convenience and unless explicitly stated, AMD is not responsible for the contents of such linked sites and no endorsement is implied.
Who Ya Gonna Call?
Posted by Jay Taylor in 3:18 PM
What do you do when you need a helping hand?
My first job at AMD was as a Support Engineer helping customers with our networking products. Back then, I was dealing primarily with engineers at companies like Cisco, Netgear, and even the federal government that used AMD’s networking chips at the time. After a while, I took on the role of CPU support engineer and eventually I supervised the whole North America support team. One thing I quickly learned is that there are a wide variety of support issues out there and no matter how well trained you might be, no one knows everything. It is important to have variety of resources available when you need that next level of support.
The Internet has become a great resource for getting support, sharing ideas, researching products and so much more. Forums, blogs, support sites, web review sites, the list goes on and on. There is almost limitless information out there that can greatly aid you in your endeavors.
To ensure we are all on the same page, let me provide a brief explanation on terms I am using.
Forums are community message boards where members can interact, and post questions/answers to other members. These are typically user to user environments. They are often organized by topic and in many cases free to join. Some forums may be regional in nature (language, etc.) while others are more international.
Blogs (like this one) are typically limited to a few (or even a single) author writing about various topics. They may be informal experiences or formal guides on a specific topic. It is usually one way communication but often also allows for comments that may or may not be addressed by the author.
Support sites are typically the official communication channel back into the manufacturer for any support related issues. They may include email forms, telephone support numbers, knowledgebases and FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions) along with product documentation. Some support sites will also have their own forums dedicated to their products.
Web Review sites are typically 3rd party sites that independently review products in the market. These vendors may buy hardware off the shelf and review it or be sent products from the manufacturer for review. Review sites try to maintain an independent voice when reviewing products to maintain their credibility.
In keeping with the HTPC theme I started, I thought I would share some specific resources that I have found useful in my HTPC travels.
Some of these sites are forums (community gatherings of people with similar interests) while others are blogs (like our own blogs here) written by people that may have some level of expertise in the HTPC arena. Sites are listed in no particular order and are a mix of Forums and Blogs.
AVS Forum. One of the premier sites for anything audio/video related and a great resource for the HTPC.
Australia’s XP/Media Center Forum. A great bunch of blokes sharing an interest in the HTPC community in the land of Oz.
AV Forums in the UK. A great forum for HTPC and general computer related topics.
Ian Dixon’s website. A great source and early pioneer for HTPC and Home Server related topics.
Chris Lanier’s blog. Another one of the pioneers of the HTPC space.
Missing Remote. A general HTPC resource.
HTPC Forums. A small forum community dedicated to all things HTPC related.
The Green Button. Another great resource for Microsoft’s Media Center.
Hack 7MC. Another great resource for Microsoft’s Media Center that is focused on Window’s 7.
Geek Tonic. A great resource for Sage TV related content.
Silent PC Review. 3rd party review site and a great source of info for helping keep your HTPC quiet.
If you are having difficulties with your HTPC, there are plenty of people out there willing to lend a helping hand. Sometimes, it is just a matter of knowing where to look.
The sites listed above are just a few of the great resources and communities that can help you on your way and only begin to scratch the surface. If you know of some great HTPC support sites and communities, please leave a comment. I am sure others would love to hear about new places where knowledge can be shared and gained.
Till next time, Happy Trails!
Jay Taylor is a Senior Developer Relations Engineer at AMD. His postings are his own opinions and may not represent AMD’s positions, strategies or opinions. Links to third party sites are provided for convenience and unless explicitly stated, AMD is not responsible for the contents of such linked sites and no endorsement is implied.
Let’s Do This Home Theater PC Thing!
Posted by Jay Taylor in 3:30 AM
Where Can I Get One?
So you’ve decided you want in on this robust entertainment experience. However, you must first decide: Do I buy a ready-to-roll, pre-configured complete system? Or do I build one myself?
This is a question that really, only you can answer. There are advantages to either approach, but there can be some limitations as well. Understanding these differences will greatly aid you in the decision process. For this segment, I will focus on purchasing a pre-configured system.
A wise manager once advised me to “begin with the end in mind.” I’ve found this very useful in various areas throughout my life and it is equally applicable here. It is important to understand what your end goal is so that you can make the right decisions along the way.
If your end goal is to quickly and easily simplify your entertainment stack or use this to replace your cable set-top box and get all your premium channels, then buying a turn-key solution is probably the best option. Buying from a system integrator or OEM vendor can greatly reduce the stress and hassle of implementing an HTPC into your life because they have a great deal of experience and resources not necessarily available to a a do-it-yourself (DIY) builder.
There are many advantages of purchasing a pre-configured unit and one of the biggest is the ability to access your paid protected and/or premium services and content. Cable channels are typically broadcast in two formats; encrypted, and clear QAM. Premium content like HBO, Cinemax, etc., are protected and therefore must be encrypted before transmission.
As mentioned in a previous blog post, accessing protected/premium content is restricted to boxes with a digital cable tuner (a.k.a. OCUR) and those are only available through the system integrator (SI) and/or the original equipment manufacturer (OEM) channel. This is due in large part to the legal and business requirements involving protected premium content. As such, system integrators and OEM vendors can offer the necessary hardware, software and firmware to properly decrypt and secure the content for distribution. It is important to understand here that not all system integrators have the ability to deliver an OCUR-enabled solution. System integrators must meet certain requirements in order to qualify as authorized distributors of these digital cable solutions. Check with your local integrator first before plopping down your hard earned $$ to make sure you are getting what you want. I have provided the names of a few integrators below that are selling quality HTPCs and some are able to offer digital cable tuners as part of their product offerings.
Another advantage of purchasing a pre-configured HTPC is the ability to add advanced features like home automation/control. Many of the system integrators can come out and not only install your HTPC, but offer you additional services and functions like home automation. I have some screen shots posted in this blog. Now, a do-it-yourself (DIY) build can also implement some of these features, however, due to the complex nature of some of the additional equipment, it can get rather tricky. Before you know it, you may find yourself in over your head, so to speak. Sometimes it may involve running wires through the walls and connecting up multiple devices and making sure that they are all working together, seamlessly. Given this, it is often best left to a professional installer that has experience in this area.
Peace of mind. It can be frustrating trying to get everything working exactly as you want it in an HTPC when you build it yourself. Purchasing a pre-configured unit can help give you ease of mind and near immediate operability with your unit. Since the system is built and tested by the integrator, you’ll know that many of the bugs that you might see in a DIY configuration will have already been worked through by the integrator. This means you can start enjoying your HTPC right away instead of spending time troubleshooting some functionality that is not working as intended.
Additionally, purchasing from an integrator will usually get some type of warranty and support. Knowing that you have a support line if you experience problems can greatly ease any doubts you might have along the way.
If you think you are ready to plunge into this exciting world of Home Theater PCs, I have provided a few system integrators that are selling solutions based on AMD technology. The list is not all-inclusive and new vendors are joining the ranks and offering similar solutions fairly regularly. Some include digital cable tuner functionality as an option as well. Some of these vendors can also help you find professional install services for the more advanced features and functions discussed in earlier blogs. I would encourage you to visit these vendor sites or contact them directly to learn more about how they can help you find an AMD technology-based solution that best meets your needs. For simplicity, vendors are listed alphabetically.
Ace Computer (Home Installer/Consumer Channel)
Aspen Media Products (Home Installer/Consumer Channel)
Colorado vNet (Home Installer/Dealer channel)
Fluid Digital (Home Installer/Consumer Channel)
Fusion Research (Home Installer Channel)
Maingear Computer (Consumer Channel)
Okoro Media Systems (Home Installer/Consumer Channel)
Vidabox (Home Installer/Consumer Channel)
Stay tuned for next time where we will cover some of the hardware changes taking place in the industry and how these changes are making the HTPC a very viable product for entertainment.
Till next time, Happy Trails!
Jay Taylor is a Senior Developer Relations Engineer at AMD. His postings are his own opinions and may not represent AMD’s positions, strategies or opinions. Links to third party sites are provided for convenience and unless explicitly stated, AMD is not responsible for the contents of such linked sites and no endorsement is implied.
Who wants a Home Theater PC anyway?
Posted by Jay Taylor in 11:22 AM
It’s All Digital!
As an industry veteran that helps to design and develop solutions, I am often asked, “Why would anyone want an HTPC?” After spending some time on this topic with various people, I thought I would provide a little write up. For the sake of simplicity, the terms “Home Theater PC” (HTPC) and “Home Cinema PC” are used interchangeably.
There have been many attempts at putting a Home Theater PC into the living room over the years, but these systems have never enjoyed the success they have strived to achieve. One can’t help but wonder why? Life is stored digitally, everything from vacation videos and photographs to music and movies are all stored in digital formats and easily accessible by the PC. In addition to this, there is a wealth of high quality content on the Internet. Why not marry the PC to the TV where you can enjoy all this wonderful digital content from your living room couch on your high definition, big screen TV?
There isn’t one single reason why these types of systems have never achieved glory. For some it may be price, others may not like the idea of a PC in their living room. For most, they were just too big, ugly, hot and loud. The short answer is that the technology was just not mature enough to handle the tasks required…until now.
So what has changed? Over the past few years, technology vendors have looked at this market and tried to understand how they can develop technology that addresses the shortcomings of previous generations of systems. Improvements in chipset technology, chassis designs, HDD designs, Blu-Ray optical players, cooling technology and software are all coming to fruition to meet the demands of high definition content.
Furthermore, the growth of professional and high quality content on the Internet is changing the way people consume content. You can find everything from old, re-run classics to the latest broadcast television shows online. You can also find a wealth of professionally developed content in broadcast and HD quality through various IPTV providers.
This combination of improved hardware and the growth of online audio and video content is rapidly making the HTPC a very viable solution for the masses. Whether you are a Do-It-Yourself (DIY) individual or just looking for a turn-key solution, there are ways that you can enjoy the HD experience in your own home with an HTPC.
Did you know that with an HTPC you can store and playback your favorite video and movie content, including Blu-Ray? Did you know an HTPC can act as a DVR/PVR for TV and Cable content? Did you know that you can make your HTPC a music and video jukebox? How about pictures? An HTPC can store all your photographic memories so you can enjoy them anytime you like. Of course, all of the above functionality may sometimes be limited due to copy protection mechanisms, but still the Home Cinema PC can be a very powerful device in your entertainment stack and deliver an exceptional HD experience, all at an affordable price.
Stay tuned for updates to this blog where we will discuss in more detail, the functions and features offered by the HTPCs of today. We will talk more in depth on the hardware changes and how they are contributing to a better HTPC experience. We will also talk more about where you can get your own, or if you are up to it, build one yourself.
Till next time, happy trails!
Jay Taylor is a Senior Developer Relations Engineer at AMD. His postings are his own opinions and may not represent AMD’s positions, strategies or opinions. Links to third party sites are provided for convenience and unless explicitly stated, AMD is not responsible for the contents of such linked sites and no endorsement is implied.