Hi-Def Multimedia Jukebox - My HTPC Example

[Mr Latte]

Well this may interest some of you, its the latest addition ive added to my livingroom. If your considering a HTPC it might give you some ideas.

You know i dont do things in half measures...

Linkage Here:
Silverstone Tek MCE 2005 HTPC

 

[Mr Latte]

Right well good gents, still yet to fully test the performance. Planning to try 3-5 Hi-def movies running at once via VLC just to see how she copes. Wil even give some 1080p a go and get back to you.

This system rips the pants off my loft (3Ghz P4) It totally blazes through encoding/shrinking of digital video and same goes for unraring/decompressing. Oh regards the Audio yes Xfi is a bit OTT but tbh onboard audio sucked and the Xfi's crystalizer is indeed a nice feature.

Audigy Xfi - Do You Want To Lean More?
Of course you do, anyways thats a seperate guide i done a while back regarding Audigy cards.

If any questions your welcome, btw nice to get some of your opnions.

 

[Mr Latte]

serves me right for skim reading.....

Im used to it, say no more actually thought you were having a laugh as theirs nothing more annoying than spending time doing something giving details for someone to just ask questions thats already been covered.

This HTPC system is used in our livingroom not on the AE700 in the loft, (thats more my fun room) As a family we prefer to watch movies on the HDTV, its also closer to the kitchen. Although the 500GB is getting filled quite quickly with 1080i / 720p Hi-def movies and weekly shows

Anyways Mcmad made some good points although i use nearly all the multimedia software going with all kinds of video.

Regards movie output and HDTVS bear in mind here is what i believe happens.
btw this is my take on this i may not be totally accurate here

Youve got 3 factors

1. Video format resolution
These can be interlaced or progressive video:480i 480p 540i 540p 720p 1080i 1080p
2. Graphics card resolution
What resolution is your card outputing in?
Typical HDTV display resolutions 1280x720 1280x768 1360x768 1920x1080i
3. HTDV display native resolution
What is the displays resolution, will it run 1:1 pixel matching?
The most common HDTV resolution is 1366x768 and very few HDTVs will run 1:1 at this resolution. 1280x720 and 1024x768 are the next most common resolutions.

What happens then
You play back any of the video sources 480i -1080p it doesnt matter these get scaled to the GFX card output setting. If your HDTV does not display 1:1 then your display will further scale the GFX resolution so that it displays fullscreen at the HDTV panels resolution.

EG 480p video source - 1280x720 GFX output - 1366x768 HDTV display resolution. As always though the better quality the source of course the better it will look.