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Thread ID: 93595	2008-09-24 01:33:00	HTPC questions	Geek4414 (12000)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
707439	2008-09-24 20:43:00	"Well, the plan is to connect the sound to an AMP instead of the TV speakers, but the same issue applies as the video will also be connected via the AMP. The HDMI1 input on the AMP 'will' not have any corresponding input for sound. Unless I plug the HDMI directly from PC to TV and then the sound from sound card to AMP via Coax or RCA. But that means I will have to change channel on TV and the AMP; not the end of world stuff, but still a hassle." I got around that by using a logitech harmony remote, it allows me to create macros, for example one button press powers up the HTPC, turns on the plasma and sets it to HDMI, this system can also be used to create a profile that lets you nav around inside the HTPC app your using (i recommend media portal) but control the volume without even realising its not the tv.	kersonan (13264)
707440	2008-09-24 22:17:00	I have the HTPC here in the shop running on HDMI to the AMP and the audio via optical cable to the AMP. The AMP has an option in the menu to set which input the sound is coming from for each video input. Most decent mobos will have an optical/SPDIF output on the back.	CYaBro (73)
707441	2008-10-07 09:25:00	Haven't had time to get back to this thread till now . Got a few more questions for the experts on here . . . 1 . Using the HTPC as a DVR How easy or difficult is it to use a PCI/USB Freeview tuner to turn a HTPC into a HD DVR? How would their GUIs compare to the interface in a typical set top HDD recorder? Or is it possible at all, is there any sort of copyright or DRM restrictions on recording HD contents . Is it why there is no FreeView/HD capable HDD recorder on the market whilst there are increasing number of HDTVs with buit-in FreeView tuner . 2 . 1080p upscaling What video card can upscale a DVD or any recorded content played by the HTPC to 1080p for a 50" HDTV? We're extremely impressed how well the Panasonic BluRay player upscale a DVD to a 50" HDTV . Also, I've read some where that the video card must use HDMI to take full advantage of the 1920x1080 resolution, is that true? I've once tried a DVI to HDMI cable from my 8600 card to my 22" monitor (VGA & HDMI), the image was terrible, so I stuck with the VGA output until I've found a DVI to VGA adapter last weekend . I've now connected the 22" LCD using the DVI to VGA adapter and connected an old CRT to the VGA port as extended desktop . 3 . Is it worthwhile to put a BluRay ROM drive in the HTPC? Or even go the full hog and put in a BluRay burner which cost 50% more . Like I said we're extremely impressed with the Panasonic BluRay player's upscaling . Would a BluRay rom has upscaling built-in or is that up to the video card? 4 . Latest HDD recorder with 1080i or 1080p upscaling Wonder if the latest Pioneer HDD recorder with 1080i/1080p upscaling would work as well as the Panasonic BluRay player . Our current Pioneer HDD recorder (2 years old) is not coping with the new HDTV, recorded programs look like crap, even though they're recorded off a Freeview box . Some new programs look 'ok' but old programs like 'Friends' look absolutely 'crap' even set to 4:3 .	Geek4414 (12000)
707442	2008-10-07 18:36:00	RE:1 Checkout Mediaportal, I'm using it to record live tv to a storage drive, then i timeshift through the ads, very handy, but beware needs big drives as the recorded files tend to get pretty big. RE:3 Bluray drives are now quite reasonable in price, from memory mine was like 200 bucks, and came with a software player (powerdvd) I made some edits to media portal as it lacks a player for bluray and it calls powerdvd in to play bluray when needed. Note that you really need a capable video system to make the most of Bluray, I'm using an 8600GS 512mb card in my HTPC, was $100 and easily handles the task.	kersonan (13264)
707443	2008-10-07 19:18:00	RE question2 the only video card ive seen that upscales dvd to 1080p i think it was is an 3870 all in wonder video card... i havent seen any others yet well i reckon im just to lazy:rolleyes:	Silver_Blade (10144)
707444	2008-10-07 20:42:00	_whats the difference between upscaling & stretch to fit?? any system can stretch to fit (probhably mistaken for upscaling??) On your original post, SOME tv's allow for HDMI to be used with RCA or jack plug for the sound. On my samsung I would have to use HDMI2 & Rename that connector to PC in the TV setup menu (this tells the TV not to try & use HDMI audio) I ended up using the vga connector, works fine at 1080p. As for using a HTPC as a PVR or Freeview tuner or Blueray player, It can be more hassle than its worth, trying to get HD audio, AC3 passthrough, h264 & x264 video acceleration working. Separate dedicated units are the way to go if you have the $$$$$$$ else expect to spend MANY MANY hours trying to get it all working nicely (as your are no doubt now realising)	sroby (11519)
707445	2008-10-07 21:45:00	RE:1 Checkout Mediaportal, I'm using it to record live tv to a storage drive, then i timeshift through the ads, very handy, but beware needs big drives as the recorded files tend to get pretty big . I've heard that MediaPortal is quite good, but I haven't actually seen one in action yet . I am still in the process of finding out all the facts before I buy the bits to build the HTPC . RE:3 Bluray drives are now quite reasonable in price, from memory mine was like 200 bucks, and came with a software player (powerdvd) I made some edits to media portal as it lacks a player for bluray and it calls powerdvd in to play bluray when needed . Note that you really need a capable video system to make the most of Bluray, I'm using an 8600GS 512mb card in my HTPC, was $100 and easily handles the task . Yes, I think it would be worth considering putting a BluRay ROM or even burner in, so long as the quality is up to the same as stand alone players . So you reckon the 8600GS is grunty enough, does it do upscaling?	Geek4414 (12000)
707446	2008-10-07 21:46:00	RE question2 the only video card ive seen that upscales dvd to 1080p i think it was is an 3870 all in wonder video card... i havent seen any others yet well i reckon im just to lazy:rolleyes: Thanks Silver Blade, I will have a look at the specs and price of this later today	Geek4414 (12000)
707447	2008-10-07 21:54:00	_whats the difference between upscaling & stretch to fit?? any system can stretch to fit (probhably mistaken for upscaling??) On your original post, SOME tv's allow for HDMI to be used with RCA or jack plug for the sound . On my samsung I would have to use HDMI2 & Rename that connector to PC in the TV setup menu (this tells the TV not to try & use HDMI audio) I ended up using the vga connector, works fine at 1080p . As for using a HTPC as a PVR or Freeview tuner or Blueray player, It can be more hassle than its worth, trying to get HD audio, AC3 passthrough, h264 & x264 video acceleration working . Separate dedicated units are the way to go if you have the $$$$$$$ else expect to spend MANY MANY hours trying to get it all working nicely (as your are no doubt now realising) Well, yes, I know HTPC could be a hassle, but it does have the advantage to play practically anything you throw at it . Also with cheap TeraByte drives, we can also rip DVD & BluRay movies and store them on the HDD, so we don't have to dig out the discs . Currently, we have ripped 15,000+ songs from our (bought CDs, not pirated) CD collection onto our NAS drive, accessed by WiFi from an old laptop (with usb sound card) connected to our AMP, we can play any songs without having to dig out any CDs, it's great . So we figure a HTPC can do the same for movies and pratically any media content . That's why I post all these questions on here before I even contemplate building the HTPC, so that I can learn from all the experts!	Geek4414 (12000)
707448	2008-10-07 22:09:00	RE:Yes, I think it would be worth considering putting a BluRay ROM or even burner in, so long as the quality is up to the same as stand alone players. So you reckon the 8600GS is grunty enough, does it do upscaling? To be honest I'd not bother with a Bluray burner at the moment as they are still up in the $700 range and the actual media itself still isnt at a price i'd consider workable for day to day use, I do recall also seeing something about a new laser type for bluray so its possible the next gen ones will be superior. I'd fully cheap out and just get the drive. The 8600GS has served me very well, I've got my HTPC connected to a Samsung 42" plasma and it handles the task very well, in playing all kinds of media, DVD, Bluray (the Planet Earth doco set is jaw droppingly stunning though sadly badly crippled by an overly hardcore DRM system). Plays them all full screen no issues, though it really shows up bad video quality stuff like some of my files that were built from old VCR tapes i had a need to preserve. The only downside is the fan/cooling system when it ramps up can be heard over the sound system when its turned down. Will be moving to a full passive version of the card when the HTPC fund recovers :)	kersonan (13264)
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