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Thread ID: 115800 2011-02-04 00:39:00 Home Theatre PC nofam (9009) PC World Chat
Post ID Timestamp Content User
1175105 2011-02-04 00:39:00 I've got the option to buy one of these (h10010.www1.hp.com) for next-to-nothing, and I'm thinking of using it as an HTPC replacement for my old P4 3.0 (it's the E8400-equipped model).

It has a Displayport, which I'll get a Displayport==>HDMI converter for, but what resolution do you guys think it will be capable of outputting at?

My TV is a Sony 32" 1080p, but at that size I'd be happy with 720p.
nofam (9009)
1175106 2011-02-04 00:46:00 I have a feeling they are intergrated intel graphics - nothing flash and possibly don't even do hardware decoding.

On the other hand they do have a pci-e slot or two in them so you could always run a half heigh card like so:

www.trademe.co.nz
Alex B (15479)
1175107 2011-02-04 02:55:00 Get a new vid card if using HDMI ...
The newer Vid cards have HDMI audio passthrough that actually works
Spent hours trying to get HDMI audio it to work on my older 8600 vid card.
With a new card it worked straight way
1101 (13337)
1175108 2011-02-04 03:07:00 Somewhere the rubbish bin that piece of crap is destined for is sitting, waiting ,It knows its only a matter of time until balance is restored. Metla (12)
1175109 2011-02-04 03:19:00 Won't do HD Video, if you're gonna spend anything more than $100, then I'd *strongly* suggest going with something dedicated:
pbtech.co.nz

I've got one of those now for the bedroom (Plus the WiFi card for $40), we've got a WDTV Live in the living room. I've done about 6 HTPC's and none of them are as hassle-free as either the WDTV or the PlayOn! box.

There's just so much pissing around with a full-blown PC, for the better part most people I know of want something that "Just Works". Anti-virus kicks in, or windows updates get annoying, or whatever "service" that plays your media crashes... With the dedicated media boxes, it's just plug-and-play for the better part, plus the two aforementioned do Full HD video in a variety of formats, from local or network, flawlessly every time. One HDMI cable for audio+video, a power cable, and you're away laughing!

Otherwise, the PC you've linked to will do 720p video just fine, but I think that the GMA4500 will probably struggle with Full 1080p video.
Chilling_Silence (9)
1175110 2011-02-04 03:54:00 Somewhere the rubbish bin that piece of crap is destined for is sitting, waiting ,It knows its only a matter of time until balance is restored.

Those HPs are solid as, I wouldn't use anything else in a business.
Alex B (15479)
1175111 2011-02-04 04:05:00 Those HPs are solid as, I wouldn't use anything else in a business.

I bet you would if you were charged with sourcing a home theater pc for a business....
Metla (12)
1175112 2011-02-04 06:12:00 No you're right, id get the tower version of the same PC. Alex B (15479)
1175113 2011-02-04 08:59:00 No you're right, id get the tower version of the same PC.

uh....The only reason that pc would suit as a home theater device is due to the small form factor, Getting it in a tower would make it even less suitable.
Metla (12)
1175114 2011-02-05 00:43:00 uh....The only reason that pc would suit as a home theater device is due to the small form factor, Getting it in a tower would make it even less suitable.

A 'business' wouldnt necessarily need a sff for HTPC.
The HP towers (business class PC) are all I sell to business's as well. Turn em on the side & you have a desktop. The HP sff's often have non standard parts.
No comparison to the home HP's that DSE etc sell.
sroby (11519)
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