Suggest HTPC configuration

[bijaymohanta]

Yes cabinets are problem. Antec ISK 310-150 also has only low-profile expansion slot. But I think bothe GA-E350N-USB3 and GA-H61N-USB3 has decent on board GPU and may not require dedicated GPU, as this PC will never be used for any gaming.

None of the cabinets mentioned above are readily available anywhere. I need to check with local dealer.

The fusion board has decent onboard graphics,but the gigabyte board has no GPU, its the processor inbuilt GPU that will work. hyeah:

 

[ukjeyaraj]

Oh then did you check this case. I like this case as well. May be not comparable to the antec one but a nice one at that price.

Thanks

I was looking at this case, and now skipped out of mind. Thanks for bring it back. This is definitely another choice and availability seems to be its advantage.

Does it support mini-ITX mobo?

 

[manniraj]

I was looking at this case, and now skipped out of mind. Thanks for bring it back. This is definitely another choice and availability seems to be its advantage.

Does it support mini-ITX mobo?

I think as it supports micro-atx so I suppose mini-itx should not be a problem. But check the specifications. Also do check the same site regarding the gpu installation techinques if it is slightly above normal height.

Thanks

 

[ukjeyaraj]

Ok, here is the update on cabinet hunt.

Antec ISK 310-150 is available at the itdepot.com (from chennai). Its with 150W power supply and priced at Rs.4700/-. But has a shipping charge of minimum Rs.300/-. Also if credit card is used there is additional charge of around Rs.150/-

Primeabgb.com in mumbai has Silverstone ML03 priced at Rs.4700/- but without power supply. This one can handle mATX board also. It supports 3.5"HDD and 5.25" ODD. Also it has 4 low-profile expansion slot.

 

[manniraj]

Ok, here is the update on cabinet hunt.

Antec ISK 310-150 is available at the itdepot.com (from chennai). Its with 150W power supply and priced at Rs.4700/-. But has a shipping charge of minimum Rs.300/-. Also if credit card is used there is additional charge of around Rs.150/-

Primeabgb.com in mumbai has Silverstone ML03 priced at Rs.4700/- but without power supply. This one can handle mATX board also. It supports 3.5"HDD and 5.25" ODD. Also it has 4 low-profile expansion slot.

Yes shipping charges on itdepot are slightly on the higher side as I believe they give transit insurance. Also the CC charges are ridiculous I think so I used to transfer to their a/c thru NEFT and I believe then this 150 can be saved. As the merchant they are supposed to absorb the CC charges but they do not do so its better to do a funds transfer and inform them about the reference number.

Thanks

 

[ukjeyaraj]

I may go for silverstone cabinet mentioned above. I can use my existing HDD and ODD with this cabinet, also it has 4 expansion slots. Overall cost of the HTPC will be less by Rs.1500/- comparing antec build.

 

[manniraj]

I may go for silverstone cabinet mentioned above. I can use my existing HDD and ODD with this cabinet, also it has 4 expansion slots. Overall cost of the HTPC will be less by Rs.1500/- comparing antec build.

Silverstone cases built quality is very good. I use the silverstone cabinet for my htpc and it is of very good metal sheet and can vouch for the same. Also the built in desktop fans are of good quality and silent.

Thanks

 

[ukjeyaraj]

Finally got the PC done @ Rs.16500/- with following spec

Intel G620
Gigabyte GA-H61-N-USB3
4GB Corsair DDR3
Silverstone Mia ML03
Corsair 400W PSU
(with my existing HDD/Monitor/ODD/Keyboard/Mouse)

Now need to connect this PC to Pioneer VSX-520 using coaxial or optical cable (approx 40ft). Any suggestion for a VFM cable

Made an attempt connecting PC and AVR with an RCA cable and did not get any sound from the speakers. However AVR detects the signal, which was confirmed from the display as it immediately shows signal as C1(means coaxial) when the cable is plugged with some audio being played.

 

[reignofchaos]

Use HDMI else you won't get HD audio.

 

[ukjeyaraj]

I have some practical problems in using HDMI, hence SPDIF. Right now I can compromise on HD audio.

 

[ukjeyaraj]

I have problem in getting the audio from HTPC through AVR.

HTPC -> Pioneer VSX-520 (through Co-axial)

In HTPC audio setting "Realtek Digital Output" is set as default. Other options available are

1) Realtek Digital Output (Optical)
2) Speakers - This is smoked out and inaccessible

In AVR signal set as "C1" (as given in user manual)

No sound is coming from the speakers (not even windows default sounds).

Tested with a DVD connected in the same coaxial port of AVR and signal set as "C1" and getting the sound. So I feel, there is some settings change required only at HTPC.

What do I need to check further in HTPC

 

[ukjeyaraj]

Ok, here is some update.

If I play the video/audio using vlc player and in audio select a52 throgh spdif, I am able to get the audio. But this needs to be selected for each file being played.

 

[baijuxavior]

I assume you are using Win7 and have installed the device drivers correctly. After selecting coaxial as the default sound device, test it by right clicking coaxial out under Playback devices. Can you hear sound? If you can, then proceed to set the default sound device in your player. In VLC Preference>Audio>Output Module>Direct X Mode> Select Use SPDIF when available. Also set the sound device to digital output. In XBMC the settings is under settings> system>audio output.

 

[ukjeyaraj]

Now it detects and plays the audio without any problem. Thanks Baiju

 

[neerajhifi]

Guys for HTPC try the ZBOX from Zotek. The smallest PC has both AMD and Intel Atom variance. I prefer the AMD based Zotek Nano (Works well with the XBMC/UBANTO) Hanrware has built in WIFI and full HD Vedio/Audio via HDMI including a remote controller

 

[ukjeyaraj]

Making some more changes in the setting and trying to use the HDMI for audio and VGA for video. (To use existing accessories)

Now HTPC is connected to AVR using HDMI and projector using VGA. (No connection to any display from AVR).

All the boot and "Starting windows" message, displays on the screen through projector. Once login screen comes, projector does not give any display. At this point HDMI cable is removed from PC, display re-appears from the projector. After successful login, if HDMI is connected, only desktop background appears on the screen through projector. It seems dual monitor display goes to extended mode instead of duplicate screen. Used "windows + P" to switch the display mode to duplicate but did not succeed.

Again if HDMI cable is removed, display becomes complete from the projector.

How to resolve this?

 

[baijuxavior]

This is one problem I faced when I tried to use hdmi for audio only and vga for display. Duplicating the displays may not work because of resolution mismatch. Your AVR will report a resolution of 1920*1080 while projector vga will be at a lower resolution. What you need to do is extend the displays and make the vga display to show the desktop. This can be done from the display settings, but you may need an additional display with hdmi to view the settings window. After setting the settings you can remove the hdmi display. You can also try by first starting the pc and avr, wait for windows to load, then turn on your vga projector.

 

[ukjeyaraj]

Bingo!

I exactly did the same thing. I shifted a small flat TV to this room, did the required settings and then removed the TV.

But now I am thinking of using completely HDMI for both display and audio. The stock VGA though gives HD resolution, there are waves visible at times. Instead of investing on a better VGA cable, its better to spend on HDMI. Some changes needs to be done to conceal the cable, which I wanted to avoid.

Thanks for the help.