Hey guys I just need a few pointers on finalizing my HTPC.
What I have:
42" panasonic 720p plasma
xp pro sp3
powerdvd 8
q6600
3gb ram
9600 gso, dvi->hdmi cable
game theater xp 7.1 with analog/optical/coaxial outs
onkyo 7.1 set up as 5.1 currently (has multichannel analog and the digitals, doesn't take hdmi audio)
logitech harmony 550
1) I need a blu-ray disc player. Amazon has a lite-on for $95, and I can get it for less on ebay using live cashback. Any problems with this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106227
2) My microsoft keyboard and mice combinations don't have enough range. I get maybe 3 ft out of them. I used my housemate's logitech PS3 mediaboard and got better range, plus it has a built in trackpad. I found it for about $40, are there any better alternatives?
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=204298690&listingid=24067421&dcaid=17902
3) I'd like to be able to use my harmony 550 to control at least the media buttons. I'm looking at just getting a cheap remote and using its receiver
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999190:
4) How do I set up the sound for this config? Can I run 5.1 over coaxial? Optical? Right now analog is picking up a nasty ground loop when I run it from the GTXP that I haven't sorted out. Lossless isn't of the most importance because it is basically a HTiB with AV123 XLS front speakers
5) Is there anything else I need?
What I have:
42" panasonic 720p plasma
xp pro sp3
powerdvd 8
q6600
3gb ram
9600 gso, dvi->hdmi cable
game theater xp 7.1 with analog/optical/coaxial outs
onkyo 7.1 set up as 5.1 currently (has multichannel analog and the digitals, doesn't take hdmi audio)
logitech harmony 550
1) I need a blu-ray disc player. Amazon has a lite-on for $95, and I can get it for less on ebay using live cashback. Any problems with this?
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16827106227
2) My microsoft keyboard and mice combinations don't have enough range. I get maybe 3 ft out of them. I used my housemate's logitech PS3 mediaboard and got better range, plus it has a built in trackpad. I found it for about $40, are there any better alternatives?
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=204298690&listingid=24067421&dcaid=17902
3) I'd like to be able to use my harmony 550 to control at least the media buttons. I'm looking at just getting a cheap remote and using its receiver
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16811999190:
4) How do I set up the sound for this config? Can I run 5.1 over coaxial? Optical? Right now analog is picking up a nasty ground loop when I run it from the GTXP that I haven't sorted out. Lossless isn't of the most importance because it is basically a HTiB with AV123 XLS front speakers
5) Is there anything else I need?