Help needed - choosing a low cost, quiet HTPC
Posted: Mon Nov 30, 2009 6:34 pm
Unfortunately for me, I just discovered that my previous HTPC is well and truely dead, random freezes while navigating Windows even after an OS reinstall.
So, I need a replacement. Unfortunately, my budget is minimal, so I need some help in choosing the lowest cost option that meets my needs.
The system I'm replacing is an:
Athlon XP-M 2500+
DFI LanParty NF2
1GB PC3200
Radeon 9800 Pro
Hauppauge Win-TV PVR-500
Bottom line, here's what I need:
1) Fits the PVR-500 (full height PCI slot)
2) Can drive a 1920x1200 monitor via DVI
3) Can playback 1080p content. While recording /w the PVR-500
4) Can output 5.1 audio via SPDIF
5) Quiet
As you may notice, I haven't listed a storage requirement as I'm storing my files on a NAS device, and I haven't listed an OS since I've got a license for Windows 7 available for it. I also did notput gaming on that list since I won't be using it for that, the only reason I mention the 9800 pro is that I need something that can support oddball widescreen resolutions, my current TV is a CRT HDTV.
Ideally I'd like to buy a pre-built and slap my TV tuner in. If this isn't possible, I can look at building my own.
Again, low cost is good. I want quiet and cheap. It doesn't have to be small, I've got a full up medium tower for my HTPC right now.
Thank you.
Edit: It turns out that while I need SPDIF out, it doesn't have to be coax, I can buy a ~$12 converter that goes from optical to coax quite easily.
Edit 2: If it makes things cheaper overall, I don't object to buying a new TV tuner, however it needs to support s-video input.
So, I need a replacement. Unfortunately, my budget is minimal, so I need some help in choosing the lowest cost option that meets my needs.
The system I'm replacing is an:
Athlon XP-M 2500+
DFI LanParty NF2
1GB PC3200
Radeon 9800 Pro
Hauppauge Win-TV PVR-500
Bottom line, here's what I need:
1) Fits the PVR-500 (full height PCI slot)
2) Can drive a 1920x1200 monitor via DVI
3) Can playback 1080p content. While recording /w the PVR-500
4) Can output 5.1 audio via SPDIF
5) Quiet
As you may notice, I haven't listed a storage requirement as I'm storing my files on a NAS device, and I haven't listed an OS since I've got a license for Windows 7 available for it. I also did notput gaming on that list since I won't be using it for that, the only reason I mention the 9800 pro is that I need something that can support oddball widescreen resolutions, my current TV is a CRT HDTV.
Ideally I'd like to buy a pre-built and slap my TV tuner in. If this isn't possible, I can look at building my own.
Again, low cost is good. I want quiet and cheap. It doesn't have to be small, I've got a full up medium tower for my HTPC right now.
Thank you.
Edit: It turns out that while I need SPDIF out, it doesn't have to be coax, I can buy a ~$12 converter that goes from optical to coax quite easily.
Edit 2: If it makes things cheaper overall, I don't object to buying a new TV tuner, however it needs to support s-video input.