Some help on building a PC to stream/output TV / Film from internet and fileserver

Sympatex · 18 Mar 2010 at 10:26

Hi all,
just a few questions really for the media bugs out there. I've been gradually building a new pc (small one) thinking of using an HTPC case which fits ATX motherboards.
The main purpose i will use it for is to stream things such as catchup tv from the internet (our freeview reception is shocking) and films from the computer itself out to my TV. My TVs new, so it has several HDMI connections and all the usual gubbings, 1080p.
I've started with it already massively overspec'd probably because i will play games on it aswell at some point but thats not its primary role.
I have 6gb of tri channel ram (overclockers offer), an OCZ Vertex SDD (again the special offer OCUK did) and windows 7.
I need advice on the motherboard and graphics card combination or anything else that is a specific requirement for the role the pc will have.
I can get PSU, CPU (i7 939) and blu ray drive myself. I'm going to house it in a lian li PC C33B unless they are nice looking cases with perhaps a remote?!

All help would be greatly appreciated. It's going to be expensive so i really want it to last a while!

Akempster · 19 Mar 2010 at 20:45

for GFX cards look for one with a HDMI port and get a gold plated HDMI cable. i would also look into getting a remote control for the PC to make it more "TV compatible". This just makes it easier to switch from movie to movie pause play fast forward etc. Mortherboard wise look for Realtek audio with dolby home theatre. try to find a mobo with a SPDIF connection - this will reduce cabling and give a better connection to a dolby digital amplifier / simmilar audio controller.

Tr Insanity · 19 Mar 2010 at 22:11

Akempster said:
get a gold plated HDMI cable.

Get the cheapest cable you can get, it makes no difference.

Fred · 20 Mar 2010 at 13:34

Tr Insanity said:
Get the cheapest cable you can get, it makes no difference.

I wouldn't quite go that far. The distance your trying to transfer the information over can make a difference and require a bester quality cable. But I agree that you don't generally need to spend a lot on them.

Sympatex · 22 Mar 2010 at 11:13

Ah, thanks kempster for the input. I will check the components i have put on my 'wish list'.
I've never used SFDIF before, i dont think i know what it is, i only have a 2.1 sound setup at present so would this be important to have?

Audigex · 22 Mar 2010 at 15:49

Have a look at the passive 4670 on the site: it's fast enough for HD content but obviously very quiet. You'll need to have a think about the airflow through the case, to check it gets air past it, but you'll appreciate the reduced noise.

Sympatex · 23 Mar 2010 at 10:21

Good shout audio, has HDMI which is important obviously. As games aren't the primary function this looks like it will work well.

SirCanealot · 23 Mar 2010 at 14:29

Fred said:
I wouldn't quite go that far. The distance your trying to transfer the information over can make a difference and require a bester quality cable. But I agree that you don't generally need to spend a lot on them.

+1. HDMI are digital, so they shouldn't suffer from noise like the old analogue cables (it DID pay to get a GOOD scary or s-video or audio cables), but I wouldn't take the risk buying a CHEAP CHEAP cable. At least buy a decent one.

1 thing though, you'd hope with a good cable it'd fit in the socket well. My main TV only has 1 HDMI socket, and the HDMI often falls out the back of it! Not sure if this is a cable or TV issue though...