The HTPC Thread - Dont buy an HTPC - The Something Awful Forums

The Something Awful Forums > Discussion > Inspect Your Gadgets > The HTPC Thread - Dont buy an HTPC

m3jsh: Sep 4, 2004; The EverFag

ajefx posted:

Although I'm not trying to use my machine as an HTPC, I do have some HD content that I'd occasionally like to watch on my HDTV. It looks great on my 18" monitor, but I want to take advantage of my big screen.

My current video card (nVida GeForce FX 5700LE) has two outputs, analog and DVI, both of which are being used. I'm not adverse to removing the DVI connection - I can use that to connect to HDMI, correct? Or will I need a new video card - and if so, is there a cheap one I can use in tandem with the one I've already got? What kind of cable am I going to need?

Thanks in advance

Great cables, grab one of the 28AWG cables

I'm figuring out what which components I need to make a HTPC capable of displaying 1080p content. Here is what I have as it stands:

Antec Fusion Case
ABIT IL-90MV Motherboard with onboard HDMI (sweeet)
I'll pick up 1GB of some decent DDR2 ram
The processor is where I'm not sure about, obviously I need something capable of getting that 1080p content and is relatively simple to keep cool. Not sure where to go on this.

m3jsh fucked around with this message at 07:26 on Mar 24, 2007

# ¿ Mar 24, 2007 07:24

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# ¿ May 2, 2024 11:36

m3jsh: Sep 4, 2004; The EverFag

I was hoping to build a HTPC in the Micro-ATX form factor but it seems like a build of that nature will not be able to chug along on HD content. Can anyone give me some advisement?

# ¿ Mar 24, 2007 16:37

m3jsh: Sep 4, 2004; The EverFag

I can't wait for the abit Fatal1ty F-I90HD to come out. It seems perfect for my HTPC build; I am currently waiting for it to come out on Newegg

# ¿ Mar 26, 2007 00:42

m3jsh: Sep 4, 2004; The EverFag

So I was thinking about buying a Slingbox, but then figured that since I'm going to build an HTPC relatively soon, if I put a TV Tuner card in it I can stream content to the internet that way as well. What sort of software would I need for that functionality?

# ¿ Apr 9, 2007 23:18

m3jsh: Sep 4, 2004; The EverFag

Well basically I'd like to view hockey games from wherever I am. I mean, the Slingbox can do it I figure I can do it for free with my HTPC.

# ¿ Apr 10, 2007 05:17

m3jsh: Sep 4, 2004; The EverFag

Any TV Tuner with Composite/S-Video input will allow you to watch TV on your PC. Granted, that is if your cable box outputs in either standard (it probably does.)

HDTV is lovely because there aren't any TV Tuners that support component or HDMI because of HDCP issues (someone correct me if I'm wrong.)

# ¿ Apr 19, 2007 05:12

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# ¿ May 2, 2024 11:36

m3jsh: Sep 4, 2004; The EverFag

I'm current using Mediaportal and think it's pretty neat, are there any reasons though that I should be using Windows MCE or Vista instead?

# ¿ Jul 17, 2007 02:59

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