2013-12-31, 23:08
I want to build an HTPC. I've read the stickies but most of that stuff is over my head. I was hoping someone could dumb it down and give me some advice on what I need.
Here's my goal:
I want to watch blu-ray rips at 1080p.
I want to watch actual blu-ray discs.
I want to watch Netflix.
I want to connect to my tv via HDMI.
I want a minimum of 5.1 surround sound.
I want to control my system with a remote.
Ideally, I would like to control both the TV and the htpc with the same remote... HDMI-CEC? (See my only other post in this forum.)
I would like to watch live tv.
I would like DVR capabilities.
Most of my digital media will be stored on a separate computer.
I would like my htpc to be as quite as possible. Can it be fanless?
I would like to spend as little as possible. I'm estimating something like this to be in the $500 range. I'm open to being pleasantly surprised.
I have a license for Win7 that I can recycle for this, if needed. Linux is free. Please don't worry about the cost of an OS.
Here's what I don't need:
I won't be ripping or encoding anything on this htpc (aside from DVR functionality).
I won't be gaming on this thing.
I won't be watching any 3D content.
I don't require wireless. I'm okay with running an ethernet cable over to my router.
As I said, I've ready the stickies. Haswell and driver issues? SATA slots? 3rd-party fans? I'm not a complete moron but I can't quite follow the details on those levels either.
Here's my goal:
I want to watch blu-ray rips at 1080p.
I want to watch actual blu-ray discs.
I want to watch Netflix.
I want to connect to my tv via HDMI.
I want a minimum of 5.1 surround sound.
I want to control my system with a remote.
Ideally, I would like to control both the TV and the htpc with the same remote... HDMI-CEC? (See my only other post in this forum.)
I would like to watch live tv.
I would like DVR capabilities.
Most of my digital media will be stored on a separate computer.
I would like my htpc to be as quite as possible. Can it be fanless?
I would like to spend as little as possible. I'm estimating something like this to be in the $500 range. I'm open to being pleasantly surprised.
I have a license for Win7 that I can recycle for this, if needed. Linux is free. Please don't worry about the cost of an OS.
Here's what I don't need:
I won't be ripping or encoding anything on this htpc (aside from DVR functionality).
I won't be gaming on this thing.
I won't be watching any 3D content.
I don't require wireless. I'm okay with running an ethernet cable over to my router.
As I said, I've ready the stickies. Haswell and driver issues? SATA slots? 3rd-party fans? I'm not a complete moron but I can't quite follow the details on those levels either.
