First Htpc build need guidance

[Baboonanza]

This thread seems to have gone a bit aggro but here's my advice:

Go with the micro-ATX build above.
You really don't need a 600W PSU, it will just lower your power efficency.
If you want dust filters you could look at the Silverstone Grandia cases (available from another well-know e-tailer). My 04B model came with dust filters.
You could also look at the Athlon X2 'e' models that have a 45W TDP, or underclock the normal models.

One big advantage of going with Windows 7 is that you have a much wider choice of tuners. I picked up a PEAK Dual DVB-T Tuner from a forrest based e-tailer for £30 that has worked flawlessly.

If you want a PVR I would suggest MediaPortal on Windows 7 with 4TheRecord acting as the TV server. It works fantastically well and I can give you more info if you like.

 

[Street]

This thread seems to have gone a bit aggro but here's my advice:

Go with the micro-ATX build above.
You really don't need a 600W PSU, it will just lower your power efficency.
If you want dust filters you could look at the Silverstone Grandia cases (available from another well-know e-tailer). My 04B model came with dust filters.
You could also look at the Athlon X2 'e' models that have a 45W TDP, or underclock the normal models.

One big advantage of going with Windows 7 is that you have a much wider choice of tuners. I picked up a PEAK Dual DVB-T Tuner from a forrest based e-tailer for £30 that has worked flawlessly.

If you want a PVR I would suggest MediaPortal on Windows 7 with 4TheRecord acting as the TV server. It works fantastically well and I can give you more info if you like.

Just came across your post mentioning 4TheRecord.. I've been running MePo for a while now and bought myself a Peak Dual tuner last week so I could watch and record TV through it. I've got it all set up but have been seeing people mentioning 4TheRecord. What more does it bring to MePo and is it worth setting up?

I'll echo everything you've said for the OP as well, I've got an AMD 240e 2.8GHz DC CPU running things, 2GB RAM, 640GB WD Black and it runs things flawlessly. The Peak tuner was really cheap and was so easy to set up, everything just worked with it! I've recently put an HD5750 graphics card in it, so I can play some games on my TV and also so I can bitstream HD audio to my AV receiver. Mine is all running fine on a 400W Corsair PSU!

As above W7 and MediaPortal is definitely worth looking into! I think its a great piece of kit, plus even my GF can use it without nagging me!

 

[Baboonanza]

Just came across your post mentioning 4TheRecord.. I've been running MePo for a while now and bought myself a Peak Dual tuner last week so I could watch and record TV through it. I've got it all set up but have been seeing people mentioning 4TheRecord. What more does it bring to MePo and is it worth setting up?

Definitely worth setting up IMO. There are two ways of doing it:
- Run the MP TV Server with a 4TR plugin (+MP client plugin). 4TR will control the server. (old way)
- Install MP without the TV Server. Then install 4TR with their custom TV Server (called Argus) & the MP client plugin.

The second way is infinitely superior. It's much easier to setup, though you will have to re-scan your channels, and I have found it more stable than the MP TV Server. I believe their standby management is superior too though I don't use that feature.

What you get from 4TR:
- Much, much better scheduling. You can set up things like 'Any program Formula 1 in the title that is on BBC1/2/3/4' or 'Record Peep Show any time it's on Channel 4 but only episodes not previously recorded'
- A really good web-interface for scheduling
- I've found channel changing slightly faster

If you are using MP 1.1 final you will need install 4TR and then replace the client plugin DLL with the one from this thread. I don't know why they haven't updated the installer yet, 1.1 has been out for ages.

 

[Street]

Thanks for the info on that! I might set up a test machine and have a play with it to see what its like!