[Deafty]

Hello.

I am about to undergo my HTPC build.
First of all, planning.
I have recently built a new system and intend to use my old one for a HTPC.

Specs are as follows:

• Mainboard: GAEP45 UD3P rev1.1
  
• CPU: Intel E8400 (Overclocked 4.2Ghz):eek2:
  
• Ram: Corsair DDR2 800 CL4 (OC'd higher)
  
• PSU: Corsair TX650W
  
• GPU: Sapphire 4890 (new cooler needed or replace unit)
  
• OS: Win 7 x64
  

I have played around in XBMC and have familiarity with it's basic features. Soon of coarse I will delve deeper into the XBMC realm of opportunity.

My intended uses are:

• Media Streaming (web)
  
• Play DVD's BluRays and ripped content
  
• Moderate web activity
  
• Watching & Recording Live TV
  
• Play Music
  
• Gaming (light usage here as my Gaming PC is in another room)
  
• Interact with HTPC via case console (preference)

I will need to purcahse some upgrades before building.

They are:

• Case
  
• TV Tuner
  
• Remote Control Device
  
• BluRay Player
  
• TB(s) HDD(s)
  
• SSD?
  
• GPU Cooler (reference 4890 runs way to hot and loud)
  

What I really need help with is the Case and Tv Tuner Card

For the Case:

I have as mentioned an ATX mainboard.
I have been looking into popular silverstone cases such as the LC16M
I have serious concerns regarding this and any other cases for that matter.

• What Can I expect from an LCD display?

To what extent can I interact with the HTPC? Is it a matter of scripting or..?
Are the included remotes any good? I will need a heavily customizable option here as there will be moderate browser interactivity.

For the TV Tuner Card:

Here I get lost. I live in Germany and am a native english speaker. Sattelite is set up to english and German Tv. Two LNB's are available so I can record and watch at the same time. I believe I need a DVB S2 tuner and prefer the highest available quality viewable. If I understand correctly I will need to exit XBMC and run WMC or similar in order to operate the card successfully.

Hauppauge have extra models here and here in germany and I am unable to decipher the differences. Please help with a reccomendation here..or any other brand,..?

For the Remote Control:

As many cases now include these my question as earlier is are they any good. What bugs, problems, issues are there? Is it best to buy separately? and if so where would you start?.

Thanks kindly for reading this far and please comment/advise any way you can.

[eskro]

for remote controls,
i say start here http://forum.xbmc.org/showthread.php?tid=117372

For the TV Tuner Card, well,
i dont use such a thing yet,
however, if i would have to,
i would get one of those HDHOMERUN devices.
http://www.silicondust.com/

from a LCD screen u can expect to PowerON your HTPC from a complete OFF state.
but still, i have an LCD screen like that one and its a Pain to set up,
tech support is non-existent,
and i never look at it while watching a Movie.
its totally pointLess to me and will never buy an LCD screen again...

i say go for one of these
http://www.newegg.com/Product/ProductLis...rchInDesc=

[Deafty]

Thanks for your reply Eskro.

I forgot to mention that I intend to use my HTPC as a 1 Box solution for all media. The HDHomerun is intriguing but unfortunately probably not suitable for me. I currently don't even have digital sat receiver of any sort.

from a LCD screen u can expect to PowerON your HTPC from a complete OFF state.

I have gathered from reading other posts by yourself that you are a firm non believer,..I wonder what others have to say?

But,...If going for a non lcd screen case,.would I still have interactivity options such as volume and next track on a cd etc,.?
Some cases have these buttons but I have not seen them without an LCD,.
Are there any??

Cheers and thanks for the Remote thread link,..