2011-04-04, 14:30
Hi,
I've finally decided to ditch the Sky box and go down the HTPC route. I've spent the last few weeks reading every thread I can find and I am still no closer to deciding what to do. I initially thought of the Apple TV 2 route but discounted it because you are pushing the hardware to the limit and there is no room to upgrade. Then came the barebones idea...Shuttle XS35GT but I think it might be a little underpowered for my needs and again no room to expand. So I think I'm going to build my own, this will be my first full build (although I have a custom built desktop which I have fiddled with)!
What My Setup will be:
I am slowly putting this all together as I am moving into a new house in the next few month but this is my plan...
HP Proliant MicroServer
Running WHS 2011 (when it's released)
4 x 2TB hard drives - I'm thinking of using WD AV-GP (WD20EURS) but am very open to suggestions/improvements
Used to store all my media
Run mControl Home Automation Software to control lights, radiators, security... anything I can!
Running MyMovies for WHS - I've spent the last few days contributing data so I now have over 2,500 (I can access all the features and it cost me £0)
Connected to a HP v1810 24 Port Gigabit Switch
I am going to wire the house with CAT6 cable
AV Setup: - All in Piano Black
HTPC running ?Windows 7 - 64 bit? and XBMC with MyMovies
Connected to a Denon 1909-AVR
Denon DVD-1800BD
Currently I have a 5.1 setup with Mordant-Short Alumni 2 Satellite Speakers but I have been given a couple of Sony speakers and so I may Frankenstein my system to 7.1
All sent to my trusty old Philips 37PF9731D - might upgrade to something that can do full 1080p in the near future.
HTPC Requirements
I want to:
My Ideas so far:
Asus E35M1-I Deluxe: Seems to tick all the boxes and has SATA 6GB/s
An SSD - advice on size and brand
Windows 7 - I have a copy already
I've read about the GT 450 - still haven't got my head around whether I'd need it or how quiet it is.
4GB of RAM
A TV tuner... I think there is already a Sky dish installed at the new house so ideally one that can deal with free satellite channels
CASE - Had a look at the SilverStone GD 05 but I don't need the space for the optical drive... any ideas what to put in there e.g. iMon screen
Sorry that it's such a long post but I wanted to make sure I get something that will work with what I have planned. Any advice about what to get and where from (I live in the UK) would be greatly appreciated!
I've finally decided to ditch the Sky box and go down the HTPC route. I've spent the last few weeks reading every thread I can find and I am still no closer to deciding what to do. I initially thought of the Apple TV 2 route but discounted it because you are pushing the hardware to the limit and there is no room to upgrade. Then came the barebones idea...Shuttle XS35GT but I think it might be a little underpowered for my needs and again no room to expand. So I think I'm going to build my own, this will be my first full build (although I have a custom built desktop which I have fiddled with)!
What My Setup will be:
I am slowly putting this all together as I am moving into a new house in the next few month but this is my plan...
HP Proliant MicroServer
Running WHS 2011 (when it's released)
4 x 2TB hard drives - I'm thinking of using WD AV-GP (WD20EURS) but am very open to suggestions/improvements
Used to store all my media
Run mControl Home Automation Software to control lights, radiators, security... anything I can!
Running MyMovies for WHS - I've spent the last few days contributing data so I now have over 2,500 (I can access all the features and it cost me £0)
Connected to a HP v1810 24 Port Gigabit Switch
I am going to wire the house with CAT6 cable
AV Setup: - All in Piano Black
HTPC running ?Windows 7 - 64 bit? and XBMC with MyMovies
Connected to a Denon 1909-AVR
Denon DVD-1800BD
Currently I have a 5.1 setup with Mordant-Short Alumni 2 Satellite Speakers but I have been given a couple of Sony speakers and so I may Frankenstein my system to 7.1
All sent to my trusty old Philips 37PF9731D - might upgrade to something that can do full 1080p in the near future.
HTPC Requirements
I want to:
- Run XBMC - obviously
- Be very quiet - I have a big noisy desktop and am bored of fan noise!
- Be able to use the heavy duty skins smoothly
- Stream high quality audio and video to my AVR - optical out would be nice
- Play full HD streamed over the network - I don't intend to store anything locally
- Have an HTPC that matches my setup - piano black, either put it next to the AVR (dimensions 434 x 171 x 377,WxHxD all in mm), or a small box that I can hide
- Space to add TV tuner(s) at a later point
- Gigabit ethernet - in case I want to transfer files e.g. if I install a TV tuner and I want to move recorded files from the HTPC to the server
- Wake on LAN
- Run some simple PC programs e.g Firefox, Skype
- Playing games
- Playing discs - I'm very happy with how the Bluray player works
- IR/RF remote - I want to use my iPhone
- 3D TV - I don't have one and don't think I will for many years
- Wifi - whole house will be have CAT6
My Ideas so far:
Asus E35M1-I Deluxe: Seems to tick all the boxes and has SATA 6GB/s
An SSD - advice on size and brand
Windows 7 - I have a copy already
I've read about the GT 450 - still haven't got my head around whether I'd need it or how quiet it is.
4GB of RAM
A TV tuner... I think there is already a Sky dish installed at the new house so ideally one that can deal with free satellite channels
CASE - Had a look at the SilverStone GD 05 but I don't need the space for the optical drive... any ideas what to put in there e.g. iMon screen
Sorry that it's such a long post but I wanted to make sure I get something that will work with what I have planned. Any advice about what to get and where from (I live in the UK) would be greatly appreciated!