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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.
Posts tagged with Maui
Oct 20
How To: Guide for the Assembly of an HTPC
Posted by Jay Taylor in 10:18 AM
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.
Jun 16
Turning It Up to 11!
Posted by Jay Taylor in 7:11 PM
Getting More Out of Your Maui System.
Previously, I wrote a blog on What AMD offers the HTPC customer. It covered the MSI Media Live Diva platform (MSI 7411), which is produced in accordance with the AMD HTPC motherboard specification that we affectionately call “Maui.” I discussed the audio and video capabilities of the platform and some of the features that make it a little more unique in the HTPC space.
Today, I would like to offer a little more insight to this platform and show you just how much this platform can be customized. AMD, D2Audio and MSI worked hard to deliver a unique solution to the market. However, the work did not stop just because the platform was released. We have continued to innovate on this platform and we are quickly approaching the next phase of this solution.
One of the unique properties of the D2Audio designed chip is that it is programmable. Therefore, the firmware (f/w) of the audio cards can be updated to add new features and functionality. In some respects, this is similar to how a motherboard BIOS can be updated to add new CPU support or additional functionality. With respect to the D2Audio chip, it can be customized to overcome the weakness of a given speaker, customized frequency response curves, customized crossover frequencies, etc.
Well, D2Audio has taken the next step and is bringing some of this programmability to life to help enable our System Integrator partners to take full advantage of many features of the D2Audio DAE-3 chip. At the time of this posting, it has yet to be determined how to make some of these things available to the DIY user, but it is under discussion. What I am hoping you take away from this blog is just how powerful and robust this unique platform is and how much it can be customized to meet a user’s needs.
In this particular case, words won’t quite do it justice so I am including some screen shots of a D2Audio tool called Audio CanvasTM. Audio CanvasTM is an application that has the “buttons and knobs” that control the programmability features of the D2Audio chip.
Now, enough talk; let’s take a deeper look inside the “Maui” platform’s audio features enabled by Audio CanvasTM. Below is a view of the Audio CanvasTM control panel. It represents the signal flow of audio though the DAE-3 chip and the control blocks that can be optimized. (Click on images to enlarge)
Audio Canvas Control Panel
As you can see from the picture above, with the control panel there are tonal adjustments, 5 band parametric EQ, Matrix Switcher, High Pass and Low Pass crossover filters, Channel Router, Master Volume, Loudness, Compressor and individual channel volume. It should be noted that many of the controls you see here are available on each channel independently. Therefore, you can adjust each audio output (Left, Right, Center, etc.) independently of the others. All of this happens in real time; no need to recompile- make a change and you hear it immediately from the speakers (assuming you have content playing back as you make adjustments). Here is a closer view of some of these controls.
The images above show the tonal control response curve (left) and the 5 band parametric EQ response curve (right). On the Tonal control panel, there are 4 knobs used to control the frequency response and gain (volume) for the bass and treble frequencies. Rotating the knobs will change the frequency response and graph below the knobs. On the parametric EQ graph, there are 5 bands that can be adjusted for both gain (center green dot) and bandwidth (pair of green dots). Furthermore, the EQ has a summation effect where the bands can be added to increase the gain by setting the centering point on each band to the same frequency. This would allow you to boost the bass response in one channel, for example, or filter out a bad frequency that might be distorting. You could also use these controls in conjunction with your speaker’s response curves (contact your speaker manufacturer) to optimize the audio outputs to your speakers. Likewise, if you have a mixed set of speakers (for example, different surround sound speakers from your main left and right), you could adjust the audio outputs on a per speaker basis. Response curves shown are not necessarily recommended settings but purely an example to show some range of control available.
In the image above, you see how to set High Pass and Low Pass crossover filters. The panel provides control for the type of filter, in this case a Butterworth Filter, but there are Bessel and Linkwitz-Riley filter options as well. There are also settings for both the slope and the cut off frequency. The shaded blue area represents the frequencies being filtered out. By using both a low and high pass crossover filter it is possible to create a band pass filter if so desired.
The image above shows how the router can be used to remap the channel outputs. This is useful if you wanted to do a multi-zone environment where instead of 5.1 speakers in one room, you might have 3.1 in one room and 2 more speakers in another room.
Above is the Compressor/Limiter. This is useful when you have content that was encoded at different volume and/or gain settings. With the compressor, you can set a threshold and then automatically increase or decrease gain based upon the threshold setting and the ratio. Factors such as the attack and release are used to determine how fast it should ramp and release the gain.
Lastly, there are three different points in the control panel (next to the EQ buttons, LP buttons, and independent volume buttons) where you can open up a VU/Level meter to monitor the signal level at each point to ensure that you have the appropriate headroom as you make adjustments.
As you can see, the Audio CanvasTM application is more of a tool for engineers, system integrators and/or audio enthusiast and not something for the everyday user. However, what this represents is just how much control an individual can exert over their audio environment when using the MSI platform with the D2Audio chip on board. Furthermore, this new firmware enables the hooks necessary for programmers to develop their own user interface to control the audio experience. As mentioned in the earlier blog, the audio characteristics offered on this platform are certainly impressive on their own- combine such performance with such programmability and you have the makings of a very unique solution indeed. It is just another one of those things that set this platform apart from other HTPC solutions on the market.
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.
May 27
Takin’ it to the streets (or the webcast in this case)!
Posted by Jay Taylor in 10:58 AM
Home Theater PC 101
Depending on when you read this, I will either be preparing for, in the middle of or finished with a Webcast about getting started with a Home Theater PC (HTPC) today. If it’s the first two, you can join it in action now. And if you weren’t able to make it, I hope you’ll catch a replay. If you’ve ever considered making the move to watching TV via the Internet a more permanent set up, take a look at our Webcast and keep reading. I’d like to take a few moments to talk about taking the HTPC plunge. I’ll also provide some details on where you can purchase the equipment needed to start enjoying your own HTPC.
With the growth of online entertainment content, the HTPC puts the power of your TV experience in your hands, and I believe that it’s simple enough for just about anyone to do. As I wrote here, my family and I took the plunge a few months ago and so far so good. We watch what we want, when we want, and how we want to view it. And because the HTPC can also serve as a Blu-ray/DVD player, DVR, photo library, music/DVD library and radio I’ve managed to clear a lot of clutter and wires out of the family room.
In all fairness, there are minor drawbacks to getting all your content online. There are a few more steps involved in getting your content and you may not have access to all the same content as you do with cable/satellite. But, happily, the choice is ours-cable+internet content, or 100% internet content.
Let’s get started …
So now that you’ve done your research and decided that a HTPC is right for you, the next step is finding out how to get content from over the air (OTA) broadcasts and through online content providers (see list here). Next, you’ll need to locate the right HTPC equipment.
For many, a turn-key solution from a system integrator or OEM vendor is the best option. It provides easy access to premium content and is easier to maintain and configure than a DIY system. For those who may want or need a shortcut, many of the system integrators will come to you and not only install your HTPC, but offer additional services and functions like home automation. Check out this entry for more details on getting the most from your HTPC from a system integrator (it even talks about setting up Blu-ray to play on your HTPC!).
You may want to check out the following companies who are offering quality HTPCs with digital TV tuners as part of the package. (To expand your content I highly recommend a TV tuner, such as the ATI TV WonderTM 650 PCIe® combo card.) Below are valued AMD industry partners and you can bet that they’ll provide you top-notch products and services.
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)
Maingear Computer (Consumer Channel)
Okoro Media Systems (Home Installer/Consumer Channel)
By the way, for those of you looking for a more advanced DIY (and cordless) HTPC set-up check out my previous entry. I list out the steps I took to cut the cord so to speak.
The possibilities for your HTPC continue to expand. Last week, Microsoft announced that Netflix streaming is available through Media Center with Windows Vista®. And software options from AMD and others provide enhanced visual experiences for everything from media library inventory to video conversion. And with the appropriate playback hardware and software you can use your HTPC to play back all your favorite DVDs and Blu-ray discs with just a click.
For more tips and tricks on how to get started on your HTPC – or on how to get the most out of your existing set-up – I invite you to browse through the AMD@Home blog. And if you have questions, feel free to leave them in the comments section. In fact, I will be giving away ATI TV Wonder TV tuners to three commenters who leave a comment here about today’s Webcast. The winners will be selected at random.*
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.
* NO PURCHASE NECESSARY TO ENTER OR WIN. Eligibility: United States residents, 18 years and older. One (1) entry per person or e-mail address. See Complete “HTPC Webcast TV Tuner Drawing” OFFICIAL RULES for additional rules and details. [insert link to Official Rules here]. Additional restrictions may apply, void where prohibited.
May 06
Are You Ready to Cut the Cord?
Posted by Jay Taylor in 11:01 AM
10 Steps to a cord free lifestyle!
In an earlier writing I shared my family’s experience with cutting the cord. Overall, things are still going smoothly for us. I have been asked several times how we did it, so I thought I would provide more details on our transition.
I realize that cutting the cord for an HTPC may not be for everyone. There are many different solutions for consuming content (both online and locally based PC content). While some have very attractive price points, they also include challenges that potentially limit the experience. Limited storage capabilities, limited selection/availability of online content sources and lack of DVD/Optical drive, combined with the additional complexity of another box under the TV, made me realize that these scenarios just did not work for my home. Here are the steps I took to create a cordless HTPC set up.
1 ) Selecting the right platform
Whether you buy or build, at the heart of any cord free experience is the hardware. Choosing hardware is not always about the most powerful or most expensive solution, it is about the most elegant solution. It needs to meet your expectations and those of the family (assuming there are multiple family members/users of the box). It should to deliver the full entertainment experience, yet be quiet enough for the living room. It’s critical to evaluate your needs and what you want your box to do.
I selected the MSI Media Live Diva board that offers great video and audio — an integrated solution that combines the functionality of several components into a single box under the TV. This scenario provides the simplicity I want for my home.
For my CPU choice, I went with a low power (65W) AMD PhenomTM X4 quad-core processor. Some may say this is overkill for a stand alone device; however I plan on expanding my media entertainment access by adding media extenders in the near future. The quad -core processing will allow me to stream content to other rooms while servicing the main HTPC needs and is still a low power processor.
2 ) Selecting the right chassis
Previously, I provided several examples of chassis for the HTPC market space and discussed how vendors are developing technology and chassis to meet the market needs. Care should be taken to understand the requirements of the chassis while considering the look and feel that best suits your decor and budget. Given the subjective nature of beauty, only you can determine which chassis is the right one for you.
3 ) Selecting the right software
Much like the hardware selection, choosing the software interface can make or break the cord free lifestyle. Microsoft® Windows® Media Center is one option, while alternatives include Sage TV, XBMC, Boxee and others. Each offers its own unique approach to delivering that 10-foot experience. Currently, I am using Windows 7 Media Center (the public beta version), but the other options are certainly viable.
Another important step is loading the up-to-date drivers. Having the right drivers installed will help ensure that all the devices are functioning normally while providing the performance needed for smooth audio and video playback.
An optional step is installing the desired plug-ins to get the most out of your HTPC. A list of potential plug-ins was offered in an earlier blog.
Lastly, I would suggest that once you have the box working as intended, don’t mess with it. I have seen too many systems fail because the builder did not leave well enough alone. As the saying goes: “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it!”
4 ) Increase your bandwidth speed
One of the first things I decided upon was to increase my broadband speed. Whether it’s DSL, cable, FIOS or some other broadband connection, consuming video can require a fast connection for stutter free playback of video content. I chose to spend a little more per month on the faster service knowing that it can help me not only offset, but actually save money each month by not having a paid TV service bill (see “Install a TV Tuner” below). I am using a cable modem with a 7Mbps download / 512Kbps upload plan.
5 ) Choosing a remote or wireless keyboard
There are many options to control your box. Most controls are wireless and operate the box from a distance. Some use infrared (IR), while others use radio frequency (RF) and still some are starting to use Bluetooth (BT) to operate the HTPC. Generally, they all perform the necessary functions.
Choosing the right solution depends on the operating environment and how you will be using the HTPC. A fully functional keyboard and mouse allows the HTPC to be both an entertainment device and a fully functional PC (email, web surfing, etc.). A remote control with no keyboard/mouse can also be useful. I am using the Gyration Media Center Remote in our home. I plan to write a blog post about the various options and the features they offer — so stay tuned.
6 ) Online content
Online content is a big part of cutting the cord. Finding and saving those online content-rich sites is an important step. Previously, I offered websites/sources of where you can find online TV and movie content. I recommend that folks bookmark their favorite sites and perhaps set up folders in their browser links bar. I set up folders according to content type (Network TV, Kid’s Programming, Specialty Channels, News Channels, etc.) and then bookmark the sites in each folder. This makes it easy to find the site and content that our family likes to watch.
Note: Some online content providers require the installation of proprietary players. Be sure to have the right playback software installed so you can enjoy the online content of your choice.
7 ) Install a TV Tuner
To me, the TV tuner is an integral part of the HTPC experience and another one of the strengths of the HTPC. By combining the online content with the Over the Air (OTA) broadcasts, I really do get the best of both worlds. Now, not all areas of served with many local broadcast stations, but if you do happen to have a robust OTA market, a TV tuner can really expand your access to content. Alternatively, some TV tuners can tune in clear QAM channels (unencrypted digital cable content) broadcast by your cable provider. Contact your local cable operator to find out just how many clear QAM channels they provide. In my case, I went with our ATI TV WonderTM 650 PCIe® combo card. Paired with a home made antenna, I get great local digital TV reception and no monthly fee.
8 ) Install DVD or Blu-ray drive
Adding a Blu-ray drive into the HTPC integrates one more device and one less box/remote under the TV. With an integrated drive, when used with a software playback application like Arcsoft’s Total Media Theater or Cyberlink’s Power DVD, you can enjoy DVD and Blu-ray movies without the need for a stand-alone player (don’t forget that an HD monitor is required). It really simplifies the overall usage model and removes the added cost and complexity of a separate player.
9 ) Setting up a network
Given that you are trying to cut the cord, online content is likely to play a major role in your viewing habits. Unfortunately, the broadband pipe coming into the home may not be in your living room, so you may need to set up a home network to access the content from your HTPC. Now, don’t panic as this is really not as hard as it sounds.
In my home, I don’t have an Ethernet (wired LAN) port in my living room, so I set up a wireless network to connect to the internet and download/stream content from the web to the HTPC. A wireless 802.11g (a.k.a. wireless G) network may or may not work well for you depending on how much traffic is routinely on your network.
To ensure I had enough network bandwidth to service all the PCs in my home along with the HTPC, I opted for a D-Link® 655 802.11n router (a.k.a. wireless N). Now, we have plenty of network bandwidth available for the HTPC to stream content from the web without dropping frames. My new router also supports QoS (Quality of Service) which allows me to set priorities for different types network traffic or give priority to certain devices on the network (like the HTPC). Don’t forget to secure your wireless network during set up.
10 ) Break out the snacks
Once your HTPC is set up correctly, break out the popcorn or your favorite snack, sit back and enjoy all the content from the comfort of your couch.
So there you have it – how I eliminated my paid TV services and moved to an OTA and Online TV model. While we may not get all the exact same content we had before, we now have access to a wide variety of new content. And I think it shouldn’t take long for my monthly savings to cover the costs of what I spent to switch to this new entertainment model – although, as they say, your mileage may vary.
If you have an experience to share, please add your own personal story in the box below.
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.
Mar 26
I’m All In!
Posted by Jay Taylor in 12:00 AM
OK, so is the Home Theater PC really ready for the Mainstream Consumer?
Up until now, I have tried to provide a high level overview of the hardware and software changes that have taken place over the past couple of years that are making the Home Theater PC an interesting platform. So, is the HTPC really ready for a larger audience? It is difficult to say what makes a platform move from a niche segment to the mainstream consumer platform. Certainly the degree of difficulty in setting up and using the product is one factor, while cost may be another. However, I thought I would share a little of my personal experience with the HTPC as a user and not as an engineer.
In these trying economic times, consumers are carefully watching their expenditures and spending their money where they believe they can get the most bang for their buck. Like the rest of you, I have taken a hard look at my own monthly expenditures trying to find some ways to save a little more ca$h. This is where my HTPC comes into play. I have been working on these types of platforms for a couple of years now and I think technology and content are finally coming together to open this system up to a larger consumer audience.
Jumping In
Now, I know that some of you may be thinking: “You’re an engineer. You can solve problems if something goes wrong with it, but the mainstream consumer may not be able to“. Let me assure you, that while I may be more technical, my family is certainly less so. Now, I may catch a little heat over this from my family (love you guys!), but they can be very vocal when things are not working quite right. I do a fair amount of traveling internationally and therefore, I am not always around to fix things if something breaks. For example, while on business in Taiwan I’ve been awoken at 3 am by an upset voice on the other end telling me in a polite but exasperated manner that “The doohickey isn’t clicking the way it’s supposed to and instead it’s making a thumping/gurgling sound so I can’t watch what I wanted to and you need to fix it now!“. So, I learned a while back that if I don’t want to sleep on the couch or get the evil eye from my children, I should probably not make my family test subjects and I should NEVER mess with their entertainment experience.
However, with all the recent changes taking place in the industry, I finally felt sufficiently at peace that we could make some changes in how we consume content in the home. About 3 months ago we took the steps to cancel our satellite service and get content strictly from over the air (OTA) broadcasts and through online content providers (see list here). There was certainly a little concern expressed on behalf of my wife and kids, but we tried it anyway. So far, things have been going pretty well. We have not had any blue screens, lock ups, or major problems at all.
End Result
There was a little bit of a learning curve that was needed, but soon everyone started to get the hang of this new thing (affectionately called, “the box”). Then as we discovered new sources of online content, I saw ever so slight smiles. Then those smiles grew as they started to realize the possibilities. No longer were they tied strictly to the time when a show was broadcast. No longer were they limited by the amount of DVR storage that our satellite provider gave us with their box. We now have more freedom to watch what we want, when we want. They have come to not fear the new box under the TV, but instead are starting to embrace it. Well, they are not REALLY hugging it, but they are seeing that it is not all that hard to use and in many respects, operates in a similar manner to our previous satellite box.
Sure there may be a few extra steps to get to the online content, but even that is starting to change. The kicker here is that since I built the box from scratch, there was no instruction manual, yet my wife was able to quickly pick it up without much guidance from me. This was a big deal for me because my wife loves instruction manuals and micro organizing. We have a big binder full of instruction manuals (really, I’m not exaggerating). We even have one from an answering machine we had 15 years ago. So, it was great to see her jump in and start using it (honey, I am so proud of you!).
Now, this did not all come without some sacrifice. We don’t have access to all the exact same content we could get from our satellite provider. There are some shows we just can’t get, at least not yet. However, for all that we lost, we gained significantly more content. Sure, this content was out there and we could always watch it on our desktop PC, but do you really want to crowd around a 19″ computer monitor sitting at your desk to watch your TV programming? I know I don’t. Our HTPC gives us access to all that content and that experience but from the comfort of my couch. In addition to all that, the HTPC is our:
- Blu-ray and DVD player
- Digital Video Recorder (DVR)
- Photo Library
- Music Library
- Internet Radio
- DVD Library
- Amplifier
- TV Tuner
Just one box and one remote — it works great for us.
Between the two ATI TV WonderTM HD 650 Combo PCI Express® tuners I installed, we can watch and record multiple programs at the same time. For shows we may miss or are not broadcast on OTA TV, we go online to watch. To top it all off, we are saving about $100 per month by cutting the cord (or in our case, the satellite feed).
I can’t say if it is right for you or your family, or if you would save as much as we do, but perhaps it is time to take a look. If you have an interesting story or thoughts about your HTPC experience, please leave a comment, we would love to hear what you have to say. You can read about the steps I took to cut the cord here. Likewise, if you have a topic you would like to see covered in a future blog, let us know.
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.
Mar 19
Are You Plugged In Yet?
Posted by Jay Taylor in 12:29 PM
Getting more out of your HTPC.
I have mentioned in previous posts about various Plug In applications you can get that can add functionality and value to your home theater PC. This time, I thought I would share a few that I am currently using and provide a list of several more that exist.
However, before jumping into things, let me first explain a little about “plug-in” applications. As I had discussed in the What Can a Home Cinema/Home Theater PC Do?, Microsoft has developed a very nice application called Windows® Media Center. Windows Media Center provides some great functionality that allows you to enjoy much of your favorite content from the comfort of your couch. However, the very nature of the HTPC makes it very flexible, allowing it to do so much more. As such, Microsoft has enabled tools that allow software developers and others to write their own applications that “Plug In” to the Windows Media Center application. Once installed, most of these applications can be launched and used from inside the Windows Media Center almost as though it were part of the original application. In some cases, the plug-in might run in the background or reside on the desktop to make the Windows Media Center experience better.
The availability of plug-ins has enabled professional software vendors as well as individual software programmers to write a variety of applications that can enhance the overall functionality of your HTPC. There are applications that let you organize and store your DVD collection onto your HTPC, allow you to shop/bid on sites like eBay, provide localized, national and international weather updates, plus a lot more.
Below are some screen shots from My Movies and MCE Weather to give you an idea of the different types of features that can be added to your HTPC.
Movie Collection View
Forecast View
One thing to note about plug-ins is that while many of these are free, most of the developers do accept donations as they do spend a great deal of their free time writing and debugging these applications. If you find one you really like, consider making a donation to show your appreciation and support for the developer. Other plug-ins are fee based but may offer a trial version. Lastly, some plug-ins have specific hardware or software requirements, so it’s important to check the requirements before downloading and/or installing the application.
Below is a list of various plug-ins that I have collected with the help of folks on various forums. Again, this list is not all inclusive nor should it be considered a “recommended” list — it is just a sampling of some of the plug-ins available today. Most of the sites below will have screen shots and detailed information about their application.
MyNetflix Plugin
View add/remove movies from your Netflix queue, browse movies, view history/recommendations, etc.
View add/remove movies from your Netflix queue, browse movies, view history/recommendations, etc.
VMC Netflix
vmcNetflix is another Netflix oriented plug-in to manage your Netflix subscription.
My Movies Plugin
Shown above, index all your DVD movies automatically, browse, read about and watch your movies, etc.
ArcSoft TotalMedia™ Theatre (Fee based)
This is a great plug in for Blu-ray and DVD playback. The software supports multiple audio/video formats (Blu-ray or DVD Drive required).
Web Guide 4
WebGuide allows you to remotely view live/recorded TV programs as well as manage your recorded television programs. Offers remote access from any machine that has a web browser an internet access, including mobile devices. This currently only works with Windows Vista®
Secondrun TV Plugin
Here is a nice plug-in that brings Hulu to Media Center. This is an early release and still a work in progress, but it is a great start.
My Channel Logos for 7MC
Here is a nice plug-in that allows you to add channel logos to TV channels in the EPG (Program Guide). It is limited to Microsoft’s Windows 7 at this point in time.
MCE Google Calendar
Plug-in for adding Google calendar to Media Center.
Video Browser
Plug-in that provides a simple interface to your videos, movies, and TV shows.
Media Browser
Media Browser is a free media aggregator plugin for Media Center that takes your recorded, digital, or ripped media and presents it in a simple, easy to use interface. Media Browser prides itself on delivering a fast, intuitive, media rich experience for the whole family.
MC Shoutcast (Fee based)
mcShoutCast adds internet radio to your HTPC. +13,000 stations at your fingertips, save your favorite radio stations. Top 500 Station list shows you the hottest stations.
Music Browser
Music Browser is a Vista Media Center application which allow for folder based navigation of your music files, ditching the need to have the Artist and/or Album Artist tagged correctly in all of your files.
MCE Buddy
MCEBuddy is a file compression tool to make large TV, Video, etc. files smaller, saving disk space. It can also remove commercials from recorded TV shows.
MCE Weather
mceWeather shows weather for your region on your TV or PC. The plug-in provides data from all over the world. It shows the forecast for the next days and also shows you a satellite image of your country.
My TV to Go (Fee based)
Easily convert and transfer TV shows directly to your mobile device. Watch TV on your iPod, Sony Playstation Portable, Laptop, Pocket PC, Smartphone etc. Transfer directly to your device using your remote control (connectivity hardware may be required).
Lifextender
Lifextender is a simple commercial-removal application designed exclusively for Windows Vista® Media Center users.
ShowAnalyzer
ShowAnalyzer is another commercial removal based plug-in that basically “watches” the show for you, only really, really fast.
MCE Auction
Just imagine sitting on your couch in the living room with your remote in the hand while you search, browse, bid or buy on eBay! mceAuction brings eBay to your living room on your Microsoft® Windows® Media Center 2005 or Window’s Vista® Media Center.
MCE Contacts (Fee based)
Brings your contacts into media center with the ability to add pictures and detailed info on each contact.
Media Center Mail
With Media Center Mail you can read your e-mails on your Media Center TV. Media Center Mail comes with its own mail system for receiving e-mails from POP3 servers.
Media Center Status
Media Center Status is a simple application to keep your Facebook and Twitter friends up to date based upon what you are watching in Media Center.
MCE Phone Skype Application (Fee based)
With mcePhone for Skype, your Microsoft® Windows® Media Center turns into a full communication machine. Make/Receive Skype calls from within Windows Media Center (additional hardware may be required).
Menu Mender
Not so much a plug in per se, but more of a nice utility that allows you to customize the menu strips in Windows Vista® Media Center, add short cut icons to launch applications, etc. This does not work with Windows 7®.
Media Center Studio
Media Center studio is the follow on product to Menu Mender. It is another nice utility that allows you to customize the menu strips, add themes and customize your Media Center experience in both Windows Vista® and Windows 7®.
MCE Zone
A site with several different plug in applicaitons. They have calendar plug ins, Twitter® plug ins, VOIP plug ins and more.
As you can see, there are lots of ways to extend the functionality and enhance your HTPC experience. Next time, I will provide more info on my own experience with our Maui HTPC.
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.
Mar 12
Change is in the air!
Posted by Jay Taylor in 9:12 AM
So what is the industry doing to meet the needs of the HTPC consumer?
In previous segments we have discussed some of the functions and features of the HTPC. We have shown you the very cool MSI Media Live Diva platform. We have even shown you where you can buy your own system. This time let’s spend a little time on how the hardware industry as a whole is addressing the needs of the HTPC.
Until recently, the HTPC space has been dominated by the “Garage Shop Guy”. By this I mean, the technically skilled enthusiast type person that thrives on building and tweaking their own computer hardware. Building an HTPC required patience and time along with core knowledge of PC hardware. There has been a fair amount of fine tuning the hardware and software to get just the right functionality and performance out of the system. This put the HTPC outside the realm of the mainstream consumer. However, with advancements in technology and greater levels of integration, it is much easier to build a compelling system without the time commitments and tuning previously required. In future segments, I will do a deeper dive on many of the individual topics in this blog, but for now I want to provide a little overview on technology changes.
Improved Video Processing
Prior to HDTV, PCs displayed on standard definition televisions (SDTV) were never that compelling. Resolution capabilities of SD sets were just too low to properly display digital content. However, with the growth of HD TV sets and advances in video processing technology, chipsets are offering better performance and more functionality than previous generation products. Things like hardware acceleration to improve video playback, improved connectivity options via HDMI outputs, and Microsoft’s DirectX® 10 support for better 3D processing have all come together to make the HTPC not only easier to build, but also cheaper since a discrete GPU card is no longer required for many HTPC applications. What this can mean to the consumer is a lower overall cost, low heat, low noise, but with full, Hi-Def playback of your favorite content on your HD TV or monitor. However, many of these chipsets also support a hybrid mode that allows for a discrete card to be used in conjunction with the integrated GPU. This provides more horsepower for more GPU intensive applications like gaming and more.
Improved Audio Processing
Along with improved video performance, vendors are trying to address the audio performance requirements. Watching a beautiful, high definition movie with flat or distorted audio tracks is just not all that interesting. Listening to it through your TV speakers is not all that exciting either. To address this, vendors are moving to support more advanced audio features. This in turn will lead to a much more compelling experience when watching movies or listening to music. One platform that really targets this experience is the MSI Media Live Diva platform covered earlier. As mentioned, AMD, MSI and D2Audio got together to try and deliver a platform that uniquely targets the HTPC market needs.
Improved Chassis Designs
Early HTPC chassis were based upon standard desktop PC chassis designs. They were very big and frequently very loud. They had high RPM fans spinning at full speed that often exceeded 34+dBs. This created very loud system level noise and was very annoying when one could not hear the subtle dialog over the loud fan noise. Furthermore, they still looked very much like a black painted PC chassis that had just fallen over. Aesthetically, these PCs just did not fit into the look/feel of the rest of the Audio/Video components. Today, you can find numerous chassis from different vendors like Antec, nMedia PC, Lian Li, Silverstone, Thermaltake and others making chassis in different shapes, sizes and looks. The chassis are designed to look/feel much more like audio/video equipment than a traditional PC look/feel. Chassis vendors have spent a great deal of time trying to improve the overall design and airflow of these chassis solutions while improving the functionality. Many have LCD displays or VFD (vacuum fluorescent displays) to show information much like a DVD player or AVR. Some have volume knobs and front panel controls. Others are more simplistic in design for a very Spartan feel. The benefit to the consumer is that they now have much more choice and price points when selecting a unit. I have a future blog planned to discuss this further, stay tuned for that one.
Improved Thermal Designs
As stated earlier, many of the older technologies were just adaptations from the traditional desktop PC. Noise levels in the desktop context were never a big issue since most desktops sat underneath a desk and quiet systems were merely an afterthought. However, in a living room, you want to hear the dialog when watching movie, hear the subtle details of your music. Audio is fairly important in this space. You really don’t want to hear the loud CPU fan whirring away while trying to enjoy your content. Therefore, cooler manufacturers have worked hard to find more effective ways to properly cool the components in the system without spinning fans at 5K RPMs. There are many innovators working on improving technology in this area. For example, Noiselimit Noiselimit has developed a cooling technology that uses a “bubble pump” technology that allows the use of a low spinning fan (1900 RPMs), yet keeps the process very cool. There are many others that offer solutions for this space as well.
Improved HDD technology.
Hard Disc Drive (HDD) vendors are also addressing the needs of this market segment. Vendors such as Seagate, Hitachi, and Western Digital offer a line of drives that specifically target the HTPC segment and incorporate technology like fluid bearings, improved streaming, low noise operation, and more, to bring lower power and quieter operating drives for the system. The HTPC does not need super fast drives that are constantly grinding away crunching data. This type of computer setup requires drives that are quiet and have spin rates designed to handle the streaming needs of entertainment content. They also need to operate efficiently in smaller enclosures with less airflow. Therefore, these industry giants have been working on technology to address these operating parameters. As such, these hard drive vendors have launched new products in the recent past that target the set-top box and HTPC markets.
The list of hardware changes can go on and on — graphics cards, optical drives, improved drivers and endless variety of software applications. One could blog endlessly on any one of these industry changes, let alone rambling on in a single post. Therefore, I will try to focus upcoming blogs on some of these pieces of technology, show you various options for components, and explain how it all comes together.
So, what are future hardware topics you would like to see covered?
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.
Feb 19
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.
Feb 09
Give Me Online Video or Give Me Death!
Posted by Jay Taylor in 1:36 PM
Show me the content!
For those that have been following this blog, you have heard me share thoughts on the value of the Home Theater PC and all the great things it can do. I have talked about the MSI 7411 platform (a.k.a. “Maui”) and the unique features it offers to this space. I have even dropped a few hints about all this wonderful content that exists online. But where do you find it?
Well, today I thought I would share info and links to some of the content that exists online. Some content is in high definition (HD)* while some is standard definition (SD) and in many cases, you can find full length episodes of your favorite TV content. You can even find older syndicated shows that may not be available from broadcasters in your area or on any station today. Whether you are looking for reruns of Star Trek from the 1960’s, cop shows from the 1980’s (TJ Hooker anyone?) or (sticking with the William Shatner theme) the latest episode of Boston Legal, you can probably find just about all of it online.
This is not to say that every episode of every show is available, but there is a very, very large amount of content to be found with just a little bit of effort. Much of it is free or ad revenue supported. In addition to this ad revenue-supported content, there are also subscription services where you can access even more content and services.
This list is not all-inclusive by any means and is somewhat regional in nature due to my location here in the U.S. For those folks in other regions, make a comment on this blog post with your favorite content providers and we will add to this list.
What I am hoping to show here is just how much content can be found with minimal effort. After all, it is content that we are all ultimately interested in and what helps make the HTPC a valuable part of your entertainment system.
Most of what I have discussed previously involved a remote controlled interface through Windows® Media Center. When you add a keyboard, mouse, and an Internet connection to your HTPC, you increase the amount of content available to your HTPC. It is important to note that broadband Internet connections are very helpful for viewing online content. Most of the links to content below are found through ordinary web searches using your preferred browser software.
Now, enough talk, on with the list:
So, as you can see, there is a whole world of content out there to be enjoyed on an HTPC. Stay tuned for the next update, where I will discuss where you can get your own HTPC.
*HD monitor or TV required to view HD content
Till next time, happy trails!
Jan 25
What Does AMD Offer the HTPC Customer?
Posted by Jay Taylor in 5:28 PM
It’s all about the hardware!
Perhaps by now, the idea of an HTPC has caught your eye – but what is AMD doing to help things along? This is a fun topic for me, one of my key roles here at AMD is to help define and enable cool new platforms. I get to work with both AMD customers to understand their needs and key AMD partners/industry leaders to enable those new platforms. One of the more recent projects I have worked on is our AMD LIVE! Home Cinema platform, affectionately known as “Maui”.
With this Maui platform, I had the pleasure of working with Intersil’s D2Audio team and MSI to define a unique platform that targets the HTPC space. The goal here was to develop a specification for a platform that focused on the needs of the HTPC space. We wanted to define a platform that would not only deliver an outstanding HD experience, but make it easy to set up and use.
Maui, in reality is the specification MSI used to develop their MSI Media Live Diva platform. What is unique about this platform is that it was purpose built for a specific application.
At the heart of the MSI Media Live Diva platform is our own AMD RS780M chipset. This chipset is a great solution for playing back HD Video content. I am not saying that just because I work here, but because the 780 family chipset supports full HD resolutions including 1080p, 1080i and 720p. It is capable of playing back Blu Ray discs, stutter free. You can even play DirectX 10-level games. To further enhance the video capabilities of this platform, MSI added 128MB of dedicated sideport memory. If you want, here is more information on the 780 series of AMD chipsets.
Now, I know some people are probably thinking, “So, it has great video capabilities, there are other platforms that do that as well.” While this is true, there is more to this platform that just great video…it also has great audio. This is not your typical PC level audio, I am talking about true, AVR class audio. Furthermore, the audio is scalable to meet your needs. MSI offers both a 5-channel amplifier version and/or a 7-channel pre-amplifier version.
5.1 Channel x 100W Amplified Card (MS-4140)
7.1 Channel Pre-Amplifier Card (MS4141)
Yep, that’s right, true AVR class audio in either an amplified or pre amplified format!
So let’s talk about that for a moment. Key factors in overall audio quality are Signal to Noise ratio (SNR) and Total Harmonic Distortion (THD). The higher the SNR and the lower the THD, the better the audio will sound at both low and high volumes (not that any of us listen to our music loud or anything). The audio capabilities of this system are much better than typical PC audio solutions and on par with mainstream AVRs from leading consumer electronics vendors, and I’m not just talking about the low-end AVRs, but their more expensive brothers.
The 5 channel amp card (yes, that is really an amplifier) has a SNR > 105dB and a THD+N factor of < 0.1%. This allows you to connect up to your home stereo speakers directly without needing an expensive amplifier just to get good audio.
Now, that is great if you don’t have a nice amp, but what about the person that has already invested $$ in a nice amplifier? Well, the 7 channel pre amp card has an SNR > 112dB and THD+N factor of < 0.01%. It is capable of driving a very high quality audio signal directly to your amplifier via the multichannel inputs on your AVR.
What about ease of use?
Previously, most HTPC products were based upon traditional, off the shelf PC motherboards. While this is generally not an issue, many of these PC motherboards have legacy PC connections that are just not useful in an HTPC environment. For example, most boards still have PS-2 Keyboard and Mouse connections, some have serial ports and/or parallel printer ports. Many still use 3.5mm audio jacks for their audio connections. These connectors add little value in the Audio/Video (AV) centric environment, which is where the HTPC sits. Now, legacy PC motherboards have gotten a little better over time, they are still not always easy to integrate into your home entertainment stack.
The MSI Media Live Diva on the other hand, has a much more AV centric design. Looking at the back panel for example, you will notice that those legacy PC connections have been replaced by more AV centric connections.
For video connectivity, you have Component Video, VGA and HDMI allowing for connectivity to just about any HDTV screen. For audio, as mentioned, you can drive directly to your speakers or connect to an AVR using standard, RCA cables. No need to find special adapters or expensive cables to try and connect to your other equipment.
Here are just a few thoughts from both reviewers and customers on this platform:
“Overall, I can definitely recommend this platform as Windows Vista media PC platform. It will blow away almost anything else except for perhaps custom gaming machines, and it will be easier to use than most alternatives…Sound quality with this amplifier and motherboard are top notch.” – William Wong, Electronic Design
“For under $1000, System Builders should be able to put together a system that accomplishes everything the AMD Maui PC can do and then some. The platform proves to be an excellent path to a dual purpose system, which could wind up in living rooms and conference rooms alike.” – Frank Ohlhorst, Channel Insider
“Just wanted to pop my head in and say I’ve heard this setup at D2Audio’s offices with some high-end speakers…Absolutely beautiful sound, even at high volumes. And if you want to know my reference, it’s a pair of DT BP 2002s hooked to an Integra 5.9.” – Chris Morley, Morley Digital
“I just built a system with the 5.1 amp card, it will be replacing my Panasonic XR57. I’m still playing around with it, but so far it’s at least equal to the performance of that unit…What really surprised me is how dead quiet this thing is with no signal playing, no hiss, pops, crackles, nothing. Would have never thought this was possible within the confines of a PC.” – Nick Billeci
“I am very excited about this build, it is currently slated to replace the following components
Integra DTR 7.4 $1200
Toshiba HDA30 HDDVD player $250
Sony BDP300 Bluray $400
Pretty impressive that a sub 200 dollar mobo and amp card can deliver performance rivaling that of the components listed… I am thrilled so far with the results.” – Mark G.
“My initial impression on the quality is “absolutely phenomenal”, both audio and video. This was definitely worth the wait. In fact, I am ordering another one next week.” – William H.
These are just a few of the reviews and comments we have received about this platform, I have personally received similar comments from other reviewer and customers from around the globe. Therefore, as you can see, the MSI Media Live Diva platform really was designed to bring you a powerful HD audio and video experience. If you are interested in getting your hands on one of these platforms, check with your preferred online or local retailer or your preferred system integrator. In fact, next time we will talk more on this topic and discuss the pros/cons of building vs. buying an HTPC.
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.