Recent content by ilkka

Hi! I built my computer several years ago for HTPC use, but now it's since been moved to general desktop usage. Now with the release of Diablo 3 I'm considering upgrading the computer to try gaming again. I know that my integrated graphics is not up to par, but otherwise I'm not sure. The cpu...

Some random internet forum. Something about needing new software updates constantly to be able play the latest releases. Glad to hear that those fears are misplaced.

Hi! I've had a custom built HTPC for a while. An Athlon 5050e with 2 GB of RAM with GeForce 6150 motherboard inside a nice Antec NSK2480 case. I've used it more or less as a normal computer, so what's HTPC about it is mostly that the TV is its only monitor. Main media usage is streaming...

All broadcasts are regular SD for the undetermined future, so no fear of having to downscale HD content. This is for a Linux box-- I am not sure if there is support for hardware decoding of video.

I am planning to use the following hardware: AMD Sempron LE1100 Corsair CM2X512-6400C4 * 2 = 1GByte of 800Mhz DDR2 Gigabyte GA-MA69GM-S2H (integrated sound, video, LAN, etc.) Western Digital Caviar GP 750GB Antec NSK-2480 Satelco EasyWatch PCI DVB-C * 2 (I'm located in Finland in a cable...

Ok. In that case I'll go for the Biostar board, as I too have heard at least of someone who got the component out working. It's pretty much as cheap as anything without integrated, so if I end up having to buy an external card then I'm not losing anything. Thanks.

GP drives are NOT variable speed. Their rotation speed is static.

What matters? I've gathered that HTPC use tends to be low intensive memory-wise--512mb is sufficient, 1gb great. But what about speed? Is there a difference between DDR2 400 and DDR2 800? What about dual-channel vs single channel? Does the picture change when using an integrated video card?

Silent PC Review is the site to go to for these ratings. But in a nutshell, the best choices are Western Digital Caviar GP-editions (500gb-1tb) and Western Digital SE16 500gb. In that order. A laptop drive is also a good option for an os drive. edit: The Western Digital GP is marked as...

The Asus M2A-VM HDMI has this--why not something else? ASUS M2NPV-VM did as well. Some s-video outs have component integrated (those 7-pin things). Bioforce tforce 7050 is currently my leading candidate, but I've heard conflicting reports about it's component out. If you don't have any...

I've been thinking about buying Asus M2A-VM HDMI for an HTPC, but I've realized that this specific board and it's ATI display adapter have problems with Linux. This is a problem for me, since I'm planning on using MythTV or some other Linux solution for software. My TV doesn't have DVI or...

Western Digital Caviar GP are the silent choice right now. They are available in sizes 500gb-1tb. They are 5400rpm drives, which is great for noise and power consumption.

At least in the past the Hauppage software was absolute garbage. There are various third party solutions, all of which are better.

I'd recommend some other backup format rather than DVD. Specifically, hard drive. Burning that many DVDs is a pain in the ass, and burned media isn't terribly long-lasting. You could just keep them on the hard drive and burn when you need to. And this allows for easier access with an HTPC or...

You'd need to set up equipment at both ends to get this done.