HTPC and picture quality

croni486 · 28 Jan 2008 at 12:15

I'm currently looking into building myself a HTPC and am unsure on if this would be a worthwhile upgrade/expence due to picture quality. I currently have all my dvd's ripped and stored on my file server in the garage and access them through a dlink media streamer connected to my Panasonic TH50PZ70 via HDMI.

I've connected my daughters TV via the `s` video out on her x1950pro graphics card but the quality of picture is pretty poor and this is whats putting me off spending the money. If i did go down the HTPC route and had £500 to spend which would include everthing bar the keyboard/mouse what should i be looking at.

croni486 · 28 Jan 2008 at 12:43

Thanks for the quick reply, as long as i get at least the same if not better quality than my media streamer i'll be happy.

croni486 · 28 Jan 2008 at 14:27

What i'd like is something that will replace my fileserver, holding my dvd's and music. I'll not be playing any games but will need it to be able to browse web pages for torrents.

It will replace my media streamer which will then go upstairs in my daughters room( I also have one in my room). These will all be connected via netgears ethernet over power.

At the moment my server can accomodate 2 media streamers and both my kids computers watching dvd's stored on it. As long as the HTPC will be able to compete and quality isnt degraded the boss will be happy.

croni486 · 28 Jan 2008 at 15:43

What would be the best GPU for an HTPC?, this is the only component that i'm unsure about.