2012-10-26, 10:54
Hi Aaron,
I'am also planning my first HTPC and also searched around a lot for the optimal HW and this is my humble opinion and I hope that with sharing our ideas would save us costs in buying new HW.
This is my first time that I hear from openelec, so I do not know how good it performs when you are streaming films and sending video files from and to it in the background, while you are watching a 1080 HD movie.
And another question that you might think of is the HW-Compatability of openelec, not that you run into such issues which in the end forces you to install xmbc etc.
Openelec is an interesting choice that I will check out right away for my solution that I'am going after so thank you for mentioning it.
From your post I understand that 3D is somthing as a option that you MIGHT get / need. If it is an option that you would want to get but you are waiting for the prices of 3D to fall then I understand. But if you are leaving the option open just because you are undecided then I would say that an motherboard with an open slot for a HTPC is too expencive.
I would also consider myself at most a category 7, but more of a cat6 and I pay attention that my solution solid and compact one where 3D isn't my desire but capturing my SAT channels and recording them upon need.
Another aspect that I would like to include into my HTPC solution is to play Blu-ray movies.
Here I'am planning to get a Blu-ray drive from Panasonic here is the link
And as a SAT-Card I'am planning to get this one
Now I konw that the sites in german but since there is googletranslator I think that it wouldn't pose a problem in getting the specs.
In these two points I would like to ask the community for feedback, any recommendations and experience. The drive HAS to be a slimdrive.
So my choice for a motherboard is the DQ45EK from Intel here is the link
Unfortunately the board doesn't have a HDMI port which is in my opinion the only negative aspect of this board. I agree that the board also doesn't have the brand new LGA1155 socket for the new CPUs from intel, but the Celeron CPUs with 755 Socket CPUs (and if I want more CPU power I would get the Core2Duo or even the Extreme variant) do the same job for less power consuption and thus less heat generation and less cooling which would lead to less noise.
As a Casing my choice is the Streacom ST-FC8B EVO HTPC, it is a little expencive but it is made from Aluminum which passively takes away the generated heat from the components like motherboard and harddisk. Maybe this is a case that you might consider buying due to the passive cooling.
Let me know what you think.
Cheers.
I'am also planning my first HTPC and also searched around a lot for the optimal HW and this is my humble opinion and I hope that with sharing our ideas would save us costs in buying new HW.
This is my first time that I hear from openelec, so I do not know how good it performs when you are streaming films and sending video files from and to it in the background, while you are watching a 1080 HD movie.
And another question that you might think of is the HW-Compatability of openelec, not that you run into such issues which in the end forces you to install xmbc etc.
Openelec is an interesting choice that I will check out right away for my solution that I'am going after so thank you for mentioning it.
From your post I understand that 3D is somthing as a option that you MIGHT get / need. If it is an option that you would want to get but you are waiting for the prices of 3D to fall then I understand. But if you are leaving the option open just because you are undecided then I would say that an motherboard with an open slot for a HTPC is too expencive.
I would also consider myself at most a category 7, but more of a cat6 and I pay attention that my solution solid and compact one where 3D isn't my desire but capturing my SAT channels and recording them upon need.
Another aspect that I would like to include into my HTPC solution is to play Blu-ray movies.
Here I'am planning to get a Blu-ray drive from Panasonic here is the link
And as a SAT-Card I'am planning to get this one
Now I konw that the sites in german but since there is googletranslator I think that it wouldn't pose a problem in getting the specs.
In these two points I would like to ask the community for feedback, any recommendations and experience. The drive HAS to be a slimdrive.
So my choice for a motherboard is the DQ45EK from Intel here is the link
Unfortunately the board doesn't have a HDMI port which is in my opinion the only negative aspect of this board. I agree that the board also doesn't have the brand new LGA1155 socket for the new CPUs from intel, but the Celeron CPUs with 755 Socket CPUs (and if I want more CPU power I would get the Core2Duo or even the Extreme variant) do the same job for less power consuption and thus less heat generation and less cooling which would lead to less noise.
As a Casing my choice is the Streacom ST-FC8B EVO HTPC, it is a little expencive but it is made from Aluminum which passively takes away the generated heat from the components like motherboard and harddisk. Maybe this is a case that you might consider buying due to the passive cooling.
Let me know what you think.
Cheers.