So who's built a HTPC for Blu-ray?

[Muad'Dib]

What Hardware do you have, what software do you use? How does it compare to a BD stand alone?

Do you get True-HD and DTS-MA decoding?

Tell us all about it.

[Dark-Star]

Funny you should start this thread MD i just asked this in another thread...

Do you think we could have a thread dealing with and explaining HTPC....

Because i am a complete novice and know absolutley nothing(no surprise there then before you say it.. ) it would be nice to have things explained simply...

such as how to start....what you need...what sort of kit you need to get/have, what sort of money are we talking about for entry level.....you know that sort of thing......

[Muad'Dib]

I currently have a dual core E6600 and use to use Theater Tek for DVD and some HD playback. Now though I'm thinking of upgrading it to play Blu-rays.

What would I need to get my PC upto spec?

My sound card is the Realtek HD audio and GC ATI 9000GTS.

[Muad'Dib]

Funny you should start this thread MD i just asked this in another thread...

[dunks517]

My HTPC was an off the shelf buy. (Acer idea 500 which is a good piece of gear).

Basically you will need to check on the cyberlink site and download the HD advisor. A dual core processor is capable but its the video & sound card that need to be top notch. The Realtek HD audio software & drivers are ok I think.

If you are going to make back up copies of BD discs owneed then you need Anydvd HD & Powerdvd ultra, these can be obtained from several places online... Powerdvd may come as an OEM disc bundled with a BD drive but may have the update that disables copying. I'm not sure if the Anydvd HD update circumvents this.

I have had my 360 add-on working thorugh my pc but the video card is an Intel 945GM? and the picture stutters so it will need more oomph.

[Muad'Dib]

Not sure if I've asked this before in another thread but can a HTPC decode DTS-MA with current software?

[dunks517]

Not sure if I've asked this before in another thread but can a HTPC decode DTS-MA with current software?

As I understand at the moment a HTPC can't decode HD sound formats, I think the problem lies with the software. Incidentally the Realtek HD audio has the options of:

2,4,6,8ch,DD5.1,DTS & Digital PCM.

My HTPC is connect via the Multi Ch input on my Onkyo 605 - this enables 2Ch stereo to be passed to the zone 2 line out thorugh my Sennheiser headphones and into my ears.

Previously the SPDIF output was used but I had to change the audio setup each time I wanted to use the headphones.

[Dark Knight]

Oooo, that's a bit disappointing...... Is there anything on the horizon ?? or does it just need to output pcm in order for my 875 to decode the DTS MA sound

[dunks517]

Oooo, that's a bit disappointing...... Is there anything on the horizon ?? or does it just need to output pcm in order for my 875 to decode the DTS MA sound

I'm not sure as seeing that my PC has not ability to add an extra drive I didn't look into it much. PCM may be your best bet, a bit similar to the 360 HDDVD Addon - the Onkyo will show the audio as DTS when in fact it may be PCM (I think).

[Dark Knight]

I think i'm going to have to sleep on it...... my brain hurts !!

Night All

[dunks517]

I think i'm going to have to sleep on it...... my brain hurts !!

Night All

Aww petal! 100th post

[Dark Knight]

Aww petal! 100th post

Weh Hey dunks517..... 1st hundred of many

[Fozziwig]

What Hardware do you have, what software do you use? How does it compare to a BD stand alone?

Do you get True-HD and DTS-MA decoding?

Tell us all about it.

I just completed a HTPC build but it wasn't for HD. I'll post pics and details later (when I'm not at work!).

I used the Antec Fusion case and I'm quite impressed with how it turned out.

Edit:

OK here's the spec. Pretty basic, but does the job intended.

Antec V2 (430W PSU)
Abit NFM2S-V Socket AM2, Nvidia 6100 onboard VGA, 5.1 channel audio (mATX Motherboard)
AMD Athlon 64 X2 3800+
Western Digital WD3200AAKS 320GB SATAII
Asus Geforce 7100GS512
Hauppauge WinTV Nova-T 500 (Dual Freeview Tuner)
Kingston 2GB KIT (2X1GB) DDR2 667MHz/PC2-5300
Windows Vista 32-bit
Thermaltake BlueOrb Mini (CPU cooler)
Pioneer S-ATA DVR-215DBK (DVD RW)

And some pics of the build..

The Antex V2 case



Most of the bits ready to assemble


Motherboard fitted with CPU + cooler and RAM (2GB)


Motherboard in case. Also HD & DVD RW installed


All wired up


The back end


All in all I'm pleased with it. Everything is working well but there are a few quirks with Vista MC that I'm working through.

If all goes to plan I'll be doing a Blu-ray build soon.

[Muad'Dib]

Good job Fozzi.

All I need for mine is a new GC, BD drive and maybe sound card with DTS-MA output.

Are there any sound cards coming out with DTS-MA decoding?

[Dark Knight]

Brilliant Job Fozziwig

I thought that fan looked HUGE in the first shot, i didn't realise it was a close up.... Did it take you long to build and can i ask what the cost was ??

Deano