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[subhashis_1980]

Re: Suggestion on the HTPC confirguration

Quite a high end looking mobo, but if it is the built in graphics that you are relying on then note that I could not make out of the HDMI out is 1.4 or 1.3. Please research a bit on that for SBS Stereoscopic 3D support. Another thing is that unless you are going for extensive gaming or Graphics hungry applications like Maya, etc dual GPU support (the 2nd pci-16 works in 4x mode only) may not be required and if you do I would suggest getting another mobo which support more speed on the 2nd slot.

Again your mobo has built in Gigabit LAN so you may not need a separate LAN card and for osome other reason even if you do go for Gigabit LAN card only.

Regarding Keyboard mobo combo / remote, i suggest try this one, I have not tried though but it seems to me a good runaway from limitations of a remote on one hand and the bulkiness of a keyboard / mobo combo on the other hand.

Amazon.com: Wireless Bluetooth Mini Keyboard with Touchpad. Compatible with Windows and Mac - Great for iPad, Home Theater PC (HTPC) and Internet TV: Electronics

OR (if backlit option is not reqd)

Amazon.com: Wireless Multimedia Mini Bluetooth Keyboard for HTPC Sony PS3 Laptops Computers Supports Windows 98/Me/2000/XP/Vista/Mac OS 10.2.8(touchpad does not work with iPad or mobile phone): Computers & Accessories

Thanks Saikat for the advice and I liked the keyboard cum remote,

I am not for much gaming and all. It will be mainly for watching movies. Can you suggest me a configuration which will take care of my needs

- Plays all formats through HDD and streaming
- HD video and audio support
- optical drive - BD ROM
- 3D support

Also since we are in the same city can you also suggest me which computer supplies shop should I approach or I have buy it thru the e-tailers.

Regards,
Subhashis

 

[haisaikat]

Re: Suggestion on the HTPC confirguration

Thanks Saikat for the advice and I liked the keyboard cum remote,

I am not for much gaming and all. It will be mainly for watching movies. Can you suggest me a configuration which will take care of my needs

- Plays all formats through HDD and streaming
- HD video and audio support
- optical drive - BD ROM
- 3D support

Also since we are in the same city can you also suggest me which computer supplies shop should I approach or I have buy it thru the e-tailers.

Regards,
Subhashis

If you look at the HTPC link in my signature, I merely reused my old desktop to convert to HTPC, Dual Core, Supported ASUS Mobo and merely 2 Gig RAM. I added additionally GPU, Cabinet with SMPS and BD-Drive. So anything you can go for equal or higher should be good. Had you not opted for 3D I would have suggested Fusion platform like Baijuxavior had built (mini itx) but 3D on that platform not much on this forum. Just ensure that mobo has Goigabit LAN, at least 1 PCI-E 16 slot for GPU, and 1 PCI-E 1x slot for Sound Card (if in future you target for music PC), PCI slots if you wish ti purchase a PCI based Sound Card later on or other PCI devices. USB 3.0 support should be nice to have.

Try Supreme Computers or Saboo Computers in Chandni area for all parts except slim cabinets for which you may have to look around a while or look in dedicated cabinet dealers. Flipkart.com has started retailing Mobo, proc, RAM, GPU see if you find a good deal over there along with ebay.in. If you cannot get any component in all the above mentioned places let me know I can recommend suitable import options.

 

[saketselot]

How is the AMD fusion E-350 platform vs the Intel Atom DN2800MT processor+mobo combo for the following use case:

1) As a music PC connected to an external DAC
+
2) Playing HD video

Key points of comparison being - quality of HD playback, boot-up times and overall noise.


Both are in similar price ranges I guess.

Warm Regards,
Saket Selot

 

[sam9s]

Re: Suggestion on the HTPC confirguration

Thanks Saikat for the advice and I liked the keyboard cum remote,

I am not for much gaming and all. It will be mainly for watching movies. Can you suggest me a configuration which will take care of my needs

- Plays all formats through HDD and streaming
- HD video and audio support
- optical drive - BD ROM
- 3D support

Also since we are in the same city can you also suggest me which computer supplies shop should I approach or I have buy it thru the e-tailers.

Regards,
Subhashis

haisaikat has covered almost every thing, I would just add for 3D do not look anywhere else except for GT440, its hell of a card, rock solid, gem of a performer .....

 

[BLASTO]

Hey Sam,

Is there a way to make Laptop a 'Music Laptop'?
I have Musical Fidelity M1 DAC already.

 

[sam9s]

How is the AMD fusion E-350 platform vs the Intel Atom DN2800MT processor+mobo combo for the following use case:

1) As a music PC connected to an external DAC
+
2) Playing HD video

Key points of comparison being - quality of HD playback, boot-up times and overall noise.


Both are in similar price ranges I guess.

Warm Regards,
Saket Selot

Intel ATOM is a non performer as far as I have read, seen and to an extent used as well. On the other hand AMD fusion E-350 is tried and tested and is proving to be a good performer for HD videos as well. Only for 3D, I'd say, one should try for a discreet GPU.

Even if on paper Intel ATOM looks as good as Fusion, I'd still put my money on fusion simply because of its reviews and practical experience shared by many here.

 

[sam9s]

Hey Sam,

Is there a way to make Laptop a 'Music Laptop'?
I have Musical Fidelity M1 DAC already.

Music Laptop ... mmmm define it in a bit more detail .... If you mean a proper Music Media Server kinda thing..... yes why not if its atleast a pro pentium series laptop ..... which model you have BTW, wonder which Audio Out Device it has ... ... Any way with a DAC Laptop certainly can be used as a full blown dedicated music PC.

 

[subhashis_1980]

Re: Suggestion on the HTPC confirguration

haisaikat has covered almost every thing, I would just add for 3D do not look anywhere else except for GT440, its hell of a card, rock solid, gem of a performer .....

Thanks Sammy,

Just one thing...GT440 would also provide HD audio(i mean 7.1 o/p ) right

I checked the link - GeForce GT 440 - OEM there was no mention for 7.1 so just wanted to confirm.

Regards,
Subhashis

 

[manniraj]

Re: Suggestion on the HTPC confirguration

Thanks Sammy,

Just one thing...GT440 would also provide HD audio(i mean 7.1 o/p ) right

I checked the link - GeForce GT 440 - OEM there was no mention for 7.1 so just wanted to confirm.

Regards,
Subhashis

Yes it does the HD audio. I have the zotac GT440 in my htpc and it bitstreams HD audio. There are limited HD audio movies with 7.1 encoded I think but when it bitstreams it gives the audio as is so if it is encoded in 5.1/7.1 does not make a difference. So go ahead and get the gpu.

Thanks

 

[sam9s]

Re: Suggestion on the HTPC confirguration

Thanks Sammy,

Just one thing...GT440 would also provide HD audio(i mean 7.1 o/p ) right

I checked the link - GeForce GT 440 - OEM there was no mention for 7.1 so just wanted to confirm.

Regards,
Subhashis

people are getting fast to reply these days ... ... or maybe I am getting old and slow .. ... manniraj has correctly replied. GT440 bitstreams HD audio perfectly, and number of channels (5.1/7.1) depends on the movie itself, and ofcourse your speaker setup ......

 

[subhashis_1980]

Re: Suggestion on the HTPC confirguration

Thanks Maniraj and Sammy,
So I assume that GT 440 can provide HD audio 7.1(provided media has 7.1 channels). Also, can you tell me if the display is good for firing 42" plasma tV through HDMI.

 

[sam9s]

what do you mean by "Display is good enough for firing 42" plasma" ..... GT440 can power any display full HD 1080p via HDMI ....

 

[subhashis_1980]

Sammy I was reading some reviews - Galaxy GeForce GT 440 2GB Review - Page 10 - Conclusion
wherein it seemed to me that might be the o/p would be pixalated one, so just wanted to confirm. No offense meant to your advice, just wanted to cofirm which you did.

 

[sam9s]

^^ 1920x1080 is hardly any pixel matrix to push any GPU ..... its when we do gaming that these things count ..... dont worry you have nothing to worry here .....

 

[manniraj]

Re: Suggestion on the HTPC confirguration

people are getting fast to reply these days ... ... or maybe I am getting old and slow .. ... manniraj has correctly replied. GT440 bitstreams HD audio perfectly, and number of channels (5.1/7.1) depends on the movie itself, and ofcourse your speaker setup ......

Learned a lot from the forum and especially you sam..so giving it back to the forum..

Thanks

 

[sabarirjpm]

sharethetv addon not enabled in Eden and it is not working even if you have it installed via zip. Any issues that you have Sam on this?

 

[sam9s]

Have not upgraded to EDEN yet .... Actually I have not read many high positive feedback of EDEN. HD audio is also supported via addon. Nothing exclusive have been added from the Dharma version. All this made me loose interest to upgrade. I might do at a later stage, but currently I am sticking to my current version and settings. So sharethetv is is working for me ....

 

[manniraj]

sharethetv addon not enabled in Eden and it is not working even if you have it installed via zip. Any issues that you have Sam on this?

I would suggest stick with the stable dharma edition with the HD audio patch. It works beautifully, no issues since 3 months that I am using. Very stable with the HD audio bitstreaming nicely. So I have Aeon MQ3 theme enabled with light settings so that the consumption of the CPU is less. I think it has sharethetv addon and should work.

Thanks

 

[bijaymohanta]

I would suggest stick with the stable dharma edition with the HD audio patch. It works beautifully, no issues since 3 months that I am using. Very stable with the HD audio bitstreaming nicely. So I have Aeon MQ3 theme enabled with light settings so that the consumption of the CPU is less. I think it has sharethetv addon and should work.

Thanks

Hi Sam,

Just another fusion board in market. DigiLite AMD E350 iTX Board with Processor : DL-AHD1S-K - www.deltapage.com.

Any body has any experience with this co.

 

[Athulan]

Folks,

I have also been looking at this for my first htpc build...

I have 2 questions about this mobo+processor

a) does this support 3d (or is this 3d enabled) ?

b) is it possible to add a separate graphics card to this mobo in future ?


Athulan