Newbie build HTPC parts suggestions.

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marsbar
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2009 8:17 am
Location: midwest

Newbie build HTPC parts suggestions.

Post by marsbar » Mon Sep 07, 2009 3:38 pm

Hello Everyone,
I first want to thank everyone on here for a great forum.
I'm putting together a HTPC for my living room. The following parts are what I would like to go with but am unsure of a couple things. Will not be playing games on this machine just watching streaming video, terrestrial HD, and FTA satellite.

Antec New Solution NSK2480 ($109.89)
GIGABYTE GA-MA785GMT-UD2H ($89.99)
AMD Athlon II X2 250 Regor 3.0GHz ($77.00)
CORSAIR XMS2 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR2 SDRAM DDR2 1066 ($64.99)
Western Digital Caviar Green WD10EADS 1TB 32MB Cache SATA ($84.99)
KWORLD ATSC TV Stick UB435-Q USB 2.0 Interface ($29.99)
PLEXTOR Black 24X DVD+R 8X DVD+RW 12X DVD+R DL 24X DVD-R 6X DVD-RW 12X DVD-RAM 16X DVD-ROM 48X CD-R 32X CD-RW 48X CD-ROM 2MB Cache SATA 24X DVD/CD Writer LightScribe Support - OEM ($44.99)


My main concern is that I have an older Panasonic 46" that has only 1080i
component cable inputs. Does the above MOBO have any outputs that could be converted to the 3 cable component output or would I have to buy a separate video card with the S-video jack that converts to Component? Or if someone could recommend another MOBO that has built in component outputs?
Thanks

JamieG
Posts: 822
Joined: Fri Dec 26, 2008 10:31 pm
Location: Melbourne, Australia

Post by JamieG » Fri Sep 11, 2009 4:08 am

I had to go with a separate passive Asus 3450 to get component out on my HTPC, which is based on a Gigabyte 780G mobo. (Specs linked to in my sig - its fairly similar to your planned config).

By the way, are you going with a stock CPU cooler for your build? The Scythe Ninja Mini is pretty much ideal for this case. Plus, if the included Antec PSU is a little loud, you can swap the 80mm fan that comes with the Ninja Mini into the PSU (if you're comfortable doing that sort of thing).

Replace the two included 120mm Antec fans with something quieter from the SPCR Recommended fan list and undervolt them, and you're good to go for a fairly quiet HTPC.

marsbar
Posts: 2
Joined: Mon Sep 07, 2009 8:17 am
Location: midwest

Post by marsbar » Sat Sep 12, 2009 9:43 am

Thanks for the reply. I really don't mind if it's a little loud we sit about 15' back from the display.

jhhoffma
Posts: 2131
Joined: Mon Apr 25, 2005 10:00 am
Location: Grand Rapids, MI

Post by jhhoffma » Sat Sep 12, 2009 12:55 pm

Does the Panasonic also accept 720p? If so than you can usually get a transcoder/converter to convert the DVI to component.

They are usually between $60-150 USD, and are of varying quality. They are capable of only a few fixed resolutions (720p, 1080i, 540p, 480p, etc), but I wouldn't recommend trying to use an interlaced resolution with an HTPC, unless you like going blind every 2 hours.

They aren't perfect, but they do free you from choosing between video cards and adapters.

There were also much cheaper dongles that could be used with older ATI cards (Radeon 9xxx era), but you don't mention that you have one.

trandy1001
Posts: 64
Joined: Thu Sep 18, 2008 7:05 am
Location: Rhode Island

Post by trandy1001 » Sat Sep 12, 2009 5:28 pm

If possible, get the MSI Diva 780m based motherboard. It outputs in component video and as a bonus, doubles as an amplifier for unpowered speakers!

Otherwise, build looks decent. You could probably save a few bucks on the processor, since you don't need that much power.

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