Our friends at Dell sent over their new Inspiron Zino HD PC and I must say that this little Inspiron really inspired me.  This box has the potential to be a great solution as a small form factor (SFF) HTPC as well as a very capable desktop computer for those that have limited work spaces. I would like to apologize in advance for the length of this particular blog post, but I wanted to make sure I provided an accurate write up.

Per my usual comments, this is not intended to be an official review of the device, but more of an overview of the platform and features offered, mixed with a little user feedback.  Let me dive into some of the specifications first and then share a little on my experience with this computer.

Size
The first thing I noticed when I pulled the Inspiron Zino HD out of the box was small size.  Measuring  a mere 7  3/4 inches on each side and only 3 1/2 inches tall (approximately), this is a really small PC.  I snapped a couple of pictures to give you some references for comparison (see below).  After removing the protective packaging, it was very pleasing to the eye.  The overall shape, fit and finish are beautiful –not something I often say about a PC.  The unit has a mirror black piano finish.  

As you can see, it is similar in size to a baseball cap–now that is pretty small.  I also snapped a picture of it sitting next to the Lian Li C39 chassis (a low profile HTPC chassis).

Specs
Dell is offering the Inspiron Zino HD PC with multiple configurable options so customers have the ability to personalize the platform to a specific need or budget.  The particular unit sent to me was configured with the following specifications:

Performance 
At the heart of this little beast is the AMD RS780G chipset and the AMD Athlon™ X2 3250e processor.  Combined, these two pieces of technology deliver a very compelling experience in both processing and graphics power.  Capable of handling excellent HD playback (when combined with an HD monitor), online streamed content and more, this unit delivers a great entertainment experience.  While I did not run any benchmark utilities, I was impressed by the variety of applications and content the platform supported. 

Do note though, none of my testing was done under rigorous lab conditions with repeated and averaged test results nor am I showing pretty graphs and charts.  My testing was strictly limited to putting it in a real world environment and observing the results.  See the User Experience section below for more details.  I would also like to point out that this unit is not intended to be a high performance gaming system but neither is it an entry level nettop type platform.  This is a solid performing, mainstream PC that offers a full PC experience for a variety of uses.

Optional Configurations
As mentioned above, this unit is configurable with many upgrade options.  For example, you want a larger HDD? You can get up to a 1TB HDD installed.  Higher end graphics? Yep, order an ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 4330 GPU and you have one powerful little work horse.  Here is a list of upgrade options:

CPU: Up to an AMD Athlon™ Neo X2 6850e processor
Graphics: Optional ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 4330 GPU
Memory: Up to 8GB of DDR2 800
HDD: Up to 1TB
ODD: DVD or Blu-ray drive option available
Wireless: Optional 802.11 b, g, or n
Colors: 9 color lid options to choose from (see below)
OS Options:
Windows® Vista Home Basic 32bit
Windows® 7 Home Premium 64Bit
Windows® 7 Professional 64Bit
Windows® 7 Ultimate 64Bit

Pricing and Availability
According to my friends at Dell, the Inspiron Zino HD will start at $229 for the base configuration (AMD Athlon™ 2650e processor, 2GB RAM, 250GB HDD, 8X DVD drive, Windows Vista Basic). Yes, you read that correctly, $229! This is an incredible starting price point for such a capable system in such a small form factor. Dell also told me that the unit will be available both online and through retail outlets.  Units are available online today from Dell but expect a month or two (typical retail stocking times) before systems will be available on store shelves.  Prices are in USD, see your local Dell.com site for regional pricing.

User Experience
My initial goal was to test this as a great, small form factor HTPC.  As such, I spent a good deal of time testing the box in a home theater environment. And it did most things very well.

From the moment I opened up the packaging, and powered it up, the process was smooth and user friendly.  The device immediately went through the set up process without any hiccups.  I was able to easily set up the user accounts and Media Center.  Once everything was completed, I decided to install additional software to open up the experience a little, like Hulu’s Desktop application and Arcsoft’s Total Media Theater. 

I wanted to test Blu-ray playback but since my unit did not have a Blu-ray player installed, I was unable to test that functionality. 

Playing Content-
Once all that was done, the fun really began. I first played a couple of different DVDs to evaluate playback quality.  I was not disappointed.  With a handful of DVDs, some more intensive than others, the system played them all back smoothly without dropping frames thanks in part to AMD’s UVD hardware acceleration technology.   

Next I loaded up some Hulu content via both the Hulu website and their Desktop application.  With the latest Flash player from Adobe, the system did pretty well.  I played content from both Hulu’s website and using their Hulu DT application. Both versions played very well. In addition to the Hulu content, I tried the new Internet TV functions integrated into Media Center. After updating the flash player plug in for Media Center, again, content played back smooth and without issues.   Not wanting to limit the experience to Hulu or Media Center, I also tried content directly from ABC’s website, again smooth playback.  Lastly, I tried content from YouTube with great success as well.  Now this mix certainly does not reflect all the different websites and content that exists, but I think it does provide some idea of what you might expect.

When placing your order, it should be noted that the current version of Flash player does not take advantage of the hardware acceleration via the graphics chip. Therefore, flash playback is very CPU intensive and the more robust or faster the processor, the smoother the playback (assuming you are not limited by your internet connection).  Likewise, if a future version of Adobe’s Flash player supports hardware acceleration, playback of Flash content should be even better.

Thanks to my coworkers in Canada, I managed to get my hands on a new USB TV Tuner (based upon the ATI Theater™ HD 750 tuner) and connect it to the Zino HD.  Windows® 7 immediately recognized the tuner and installed the appropriate drivers.  After a quick set up in Media Center, I was able to watch live and DVR local broadcast content in HD (using my HD capable monitor) without any issues.  Playback of both live and recorded TV content was clear, smooth and stutter free.  Signal strength was good but of course that is highly dependent on terrain, distance from towers, etc. but needless to say, it was a pleasant experience with the ATI Theater HD 750- based TV tuner and the Zino HD combination.    

Now, I did run into a stuttering issue playing back recorded TV over the wireless N network. However, I don’t believe this to be an issue with the Dell hardware because when I watch the same content live or recorded locally on the HDD it plays back just fine. Likewise, if I pause the streamed recorded TV content being played back, it will play fine for a while before it starts stuttering again.  Therefore, this would appear to be something limiting on my wireless network.  Unfortunately, I did not have enough time to debug the issue at the time of this posting.

Integrated Wireless-
The integrated wireless N adapter worked exceptionally well. I had full bars and it worked even better than my USB wireless N adapter that I normally use for my bedroom HTPC. The Windows® 7 Home Group functionality makes adding systems and sharing content very easy. With a couple of quick clicks, I was able to see the media on my main HTPC without issue. Movies streamed from my main HTPC played back very well– again no dropped frames and the picture quality looked excellent. Likewise, music and pictures were also easily streamed from the main HTPC to the Inspiron Zino HD without issue.  Therefore, other than the minor issue with recorded TV content, streaming over the network was very solid and smooth.

Storing CDs to drive-
I also decided to load some music content on the local drive so I popped in a couple of CDs to see how well the system was able to convert music in different formats. The results were quick and again, local and remote content played back smoothly.  Speaking of storage, the device does have 2 eSATA ports so external storage can be easily added if you run out of space on the HDD.

Power Draw-
After bringing the unit back to work, I connected it up to a Kill-A-Watt meter to see how the power draw was going to be on this machine.  Now, power draw did vary as expected based upon different use cases (DVD, streaming internet content, etc.).  At idle (staring at the desktop), the system was using a mere 29W.  When I streamed content from Hulu (via Hulu DT), the system was drawing about 40W while DVD playback was about 37W.  With such low power operation, no high speed fans were necessary to keep this unit cool, bringing me to my next topic — noise levels.

Noise Level-
While I did not have a noise meter handy, it is worth noting that under all these circumstances, the box remained very quiet.  Even in the quietest of rooms, the system is only barely perceptible.  In most cases, I needed to put my ear within a few inches of the PC to hear it.  I even left it on overnight in my bedroom and it was only noticeable if you were listening for it.  Dell did an excellent job of keeping this PC almost silent.

For me, this computer makes for an excellent small form factor HTPC.  However I think it would be equally at home for college students in a dorm room for example that have little desk space and need a system to function both as a PC and an entertainment device.  Likewise, this could make for a great kitchen PC, where you might want to have a PC nearby when cooking, looking up web recipes, and more.  This unit could also function as a kid’s PC where you might not need high end gaming performance but want something small and quiet. 

I am hoping to get my hands on the version that has the Blu-ray drive and the ATI Mobility Radeon™ HD 4330 GPU in the near future.  If I do, I will certainly post a blog on that one as well so stay tuned.

There is so much more I would have like to have covered but I think I have rambled on enough.  To our friends at Dell, I say congratulations on a job well done.  To our AMD@Home blog readers, this is quite a capable little device that was whisper quiet with low power requirements. It was able to handle just about everything I could throw at it without issue. Even at the base configuration, to have such an elegantly designed, HD capable machine available at for $229 from Dell is astounding. It would be hard to build a similar machine yourself at that price.  I think I know what is going on my Christmas list — now I just need to worry if I have been good enough this year.

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.

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.

Intro/Chassis

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.

Motherboard Installation

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.

Cable/Wiring 

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!

Audio Installation

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.

TV Tuner Installation

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.

Memory Installation

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.

CPU/Heatsink Installation

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.

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 Phenom^TM 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 Phenom^TM 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.

One solution being offered by the US Federal Communications Commission is a digital-to-analog converter box that receives over-the-air digital signals with your antenna converts them to analog and sends the signal to your television. This will allow you to watch Digital free-to-air television on an analog TV. In any case, these digital-to-analog converter boxes are primarily intended for standalone TV sets, and may not be well suited for PC use.

It’s not often that we see a huge technological shift that affects each and every American-from those who have never turned on a computer to the most diehard tech enthusiast. For AMD, and in particular, for those with a history in our graphics team, talking about TV encourages us to look back at our own company’s history in changing the way people watch television.  It was 13 years ago, in 1996, that ATI Technologies (now a part of AMD) released the ATI All-In-Wonder^TM, world’s first combination graphics and TV tuner card, giving consumers the ability to play early PC games and watch television on their computer. This paved the way for a series of innovative TV on PC products from AMD that let consumers program and record their favorite TV shows (long before the word TiVo became a household name) and receive free over-the-air TV signals for budget-friendly, high-quality home entertainment.

The newest addition to AMD’s TV-on-PC roster is the just released ATI Theater^TM HD 750 which brings HDTV and digital video recording (DVR) capabilities to desktop and notebook PCs using free-to-air broadcast signals without the need of a converter box. With DTV signals reaching 98% of the US population, anyone can gain access to their favorite hit shows, live sporting events, and a variety of local programming from the major US broadcast networks.  And because we know that watching visually intense shows like Heroes and Lost demands only the best in picture quality, AMD has made further tweaks to the video processing and signal reception technology to help you see clearer, crisper and more vibrant images than any of our previous generation of PCTV products.

AMD has also worked with our technology partners to offer this chip in a variety of form factors that make it easy to add on to existing systems-including: a plug and play USB “stick” that could connect to a laptop computer; a mini PCI Express Card that will fit into a sleek home theater PC in the living room; and the more traditional PCI Express board that fits well in the home computer. For those looking to upgrade to a new laptop or desktop computer with TV tuner capabilities built into the box, stay tuned for anticipated product launches from major manufacturers later this year.

What also makes this product unique, is that it is our first TV tuner that is compatible with both digital and analog TV signals from around the globe-so you could potentially take your laptop on a trip to Hong Kong, power it up and be able to pick up the local free-to-air broadcast. AMD is prepared not just for the US digital transition but also for the global digital transition. Planned broadcast transitions include: October 2009 in Denmark, April 2010 in Spain, July 2010 in Estonia, August 2011 in Canada, January 2012 in Hungary and Romania, December 2012 in Bulgaria and Italy, with many more just around the corner.

Ultimately, the ATI Theater HD 750 is all about bringing affordable and high quality TV watching to PC owners everywhere.  Whether you are a college student who needs a less expensive alternative to cable or a condo owner looking for a space friendly way to add a second TV to the house, the ATI Theater HD 750 really does have something for everyone-especially those who don’t want to be left in the dark when their old school rabbit ears won’t cut it anymore.

Shane Parfitt is Product Marketing Manager, PCTV  Group 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.

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 Wonder^TM 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.

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 Phenom^TM 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 Wonder^TM 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.

Last time, I addressed why anyone would consider owning an HTPC. HTPCs have come a long way in a short amount of time. Today I want to share a little more info about the features offered by an HTPC and include some pretty screen shots. This is Part I of a two part post. Look for Part II in the coming days. Most of what I am sharing here is based upon my own, personal experience and most of the screen captures in this series are from my own system at home.

What I’m describing today is based on the Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate operating system which includes an application called Windows Media Center. While not the only solution, I am limiting this particular blog to the Windows Media Center functions along with a few “plug-in” applications due to some inherent advantages offered by Windows Media Center along with its support for digital cable tuners. I do want to note that what I am describing here is controlled with your HTPC remote control for ease of use.

Access Music, Recorded TV, Live TV, Play Blu-ray discs, and more with a touch of a remote.

Movies and Videos
HTPCs provide a great way for you to enjoy DVDs and Blu-ray discs. With the appropriate playback software you can use your HTPC to play back all your favorite DVDs and Blu-ray discs without ever touching a keyboard or mouse. It behaves just like a traditional DVD player.

Access various online content including Internet Radio, movie services, news and shopping.

With applications like Cinemanow (pictured above, lower right corner icon), you can even rent or buy the latest movies online and stream them over the Internet without leaving your living room.

HTPCs also give you an easy way to store and playback your personal video library. Those vacation videos that you took last summer? Your kid’s school play? Whatever the content, now you can access it anytime with a simple click of your remote. Heck, you might even embarrass your kids by breaking out that video of them dressed like an talking tree in the 2^nd grade school play and showing it to their dates years later.

Broadcast and Cable TV
If you add a TV tuner to your HTPC, you can receive your local broadcast television transmissions (ABC, NBC, CBS, FOX, etc.) in full, high-definition, free of charge. I find myself using my HTPC for TV viewing quite regularly. Even my wife is using our HTPC for TV viewing more often than our satellite set top box.

Guide data for scheduling recordings, tuning stations, etc.

Add a digital cable tuner (a.k.a. OCUR) and you can access many of your favorite premium cable channels like HBO, The Movie Channel, etc. right on your HTPC. A digital cable tuner and a cable card from your cable provider can turn your HTPC into a cable-like set top box thereby eliminating the need of renting one from your cable company.

Digital cable tuners and/or OCUR solutions are only available from OEM vendors and system integrators and not available to the Do-It-Yourself community at this point in time. We will be posting a list of system integrators that are selling AMD technology-based Home Cinema PCs on our website.

DVR/PVR (a.k.a. Time Shifting)
Along with live TV viewing, with your HTPC, you can watch TV on your terms. An HTPC can be used just like a digital video recorder (DVR) or personal video recorder (PVR). Record your favorite shows and watch them when you are ready. You can pause and rewind live TV, and skip commercials. Depending on the amount of storage space on your HTPC, you can store hundreds of hours of HD TV content. This is one I find myself using quite frequently as well.
 

DVR/Recorded TV – Watch TV on your terms

Remote Viewing (a.k.a. Place Shifting)
Typically known as “place shifting,” your HTPC can also serve content from remote locations (i.e. traveling, etc.) Similar to devices like a Slingbox, your HTPC can serve media to you while you are outside the home from just about any Internet-enabled system. Perhaps you are on vacation overseas and want to catch the local news. If your HTPC is set up to record the news, you can access that programming from a local device connected to the Internet.

Pictures
Millions of people own digital cameras. In fact, more pictures are taken now than any other time since the invention of the camera. However, people rarely go back to view them more than once. They might share them via an online service or email a few pics around to family and friends, but the majority of digital photos sit on the computer or your camera and rarely get viewed. With an HTPC, you have an easy way to access those pictures from the comfort of your couch. You can easily play them back in a slide show, set to your favorite music while friends are over. It really is a great way to share your memories.
 

Store all your pictures in one, easy to access location and enjoy them on your big screen TV.

 Some of these functions may be limited at times due to copy protection mechanisms, but this does show the power and versatility of an HTPC. Stay tuned for Part II of this two part series where we will next discuss amplified audio, music, Internet TV and more!

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.