I use an ASUS DVD player that came with my laptop (installed onto my desktop). My sound card is integrated with the mobo - Gigabyte P35C-DS3R (something like that, the one with both DDR2 and DDR3 RAM), Hi-Def 7.1 audio.
Before I had my audio settings on 2.1 with the following results:
Songs...
Nah, I think the HD 7.1 audio sounds pretty good. I'm not an audiophile, but I would like surround sound.
I have the setting on my woofer set to 5.1, but when I watch movies, it doesn't sound surround. My friend told me I need to use SPIF digital coaxial or optical cable or something in order...
I have Logitech Z-5300e 5.1 speakers, which are analog only with no hardware decoding for THX, Dolby, or whatever else.
Does this mean these speakers when hooked up to my desktop computer (which has onboard 7.1 soundcard) cannot create true surround sound for movies?
I definitely hear...
My setup:
Q6600 G0 stepping, stock
Scythe Ninja Revision B heatsink with stock fan
Thermal paste included with Scythe Ninja
Antec 900 with stock fans
Noctua 800 RPM fan
Western Digital SE16 Caviar 500gb AAKS Hard Drive x2
MSI Nvidia 8600 GTS heatpipe version gfx card
Gigabyte P35C mobo...
Obviously many of you guys are quite stubborn, and seeing how none of you have logically debunked my arguments, I have no reason to change my opinion. That said, some of you seem to be implying that I am pushing my opinion onto others. Never said I was. I was just trying to have a civil...
Ripskin, so you are under the idea that an HTPC excels at media playback, yea?
Well, if your idea of excelling is being able to have an nice, easy to use interface such as MCE, then yes, I agree with you. It does excel in that way. But An HTPC with the MCE interface doesn't excel (in terms of...
Well I think I'm understanding most of the traits you have said an HTPC has, but I am still calling my system an HTPC despite the fact that it's not dedicated. I can spend lots of money and time tweaking this system to playback media too, but I will also be using it for other purposes. This...
Yeah, thanks, you know, I'm trying to get there too. I just...am not understanding, which is why I'm asking about all this.
Anyways, I created a new thread on this topic as it's getting off topic of my original topic here. If people would like to join the discussion, it's over there now...
So, you are agreeing that the main difference between an HTPC and a computer with TV capabilities is that you simply limit the HTPC to media only, while you don't limit the general computer to anything.
I can see how an HTPC serves as a media center. In fact, I will be using for that quite a...
I've been having a debate in my other thread about the definition of an HTPC vs. the definition of a PC that has a tuner card/software/tweaked codecs.
Basically, I will be claiming here:
1. A general PC with tuner card/software/codecs/tweaks is an HTPC. An HTPC does NOT have to be dedicated in...
So, that goes back to my question. Why limit the HTPC to do only media stuff when it has the ability to edit word files and other general tasks? You mentioned a HTPC should be a home theater that takes key functions (TV watching, etc.) and present it in an organized way. I don't see how a normal...
Check out silentpcreview.com
They rate the Scythe S-Flex, Noctua, and Nexus 120mm as the top three. However, they did their initial airflow measurements wrong. Under the revised methodology, they are saying all three give comparable CFMs at the same RPM. So basically, yes, the S-Flex CFM rating...
Yeah, but at this point, I don't know how else to ask. I want to know what the difference is between a general PC vs. HTPC, and then what TV tuner card and software I should get. That's all.
If I missed it, then tell me what it is I missed.
I am yet to see what true advantage a HTPC that does only media stuff has over a computer that can do both HTPC functions plus all the normal PC functions. Why would you limit it to media only?
Normal computer with TV tuner/software:
-can do...
Which is why I personally believe 27" are the worst buy you can make right now. So much more expensive than the 24" for barely anything more. Plus, add a couple hundred more bucks and you have yourself the 30" with way more resolution and S-IPS panel.
Hmm, the gist I'm getting from those threads is that an HTPC is a dumbed-down version of a normal desktop computer then. And because they are dumbed down, they are dedicated to media stuff only. Why not use it for other general PC tasks? Because it's too much of a hassle, is more organized only...
It's not connected to a TV, but it can be. Is that the difference? So if I hook up my comp to a monitor its a normal comp, but if I hook it up to a TV its a HTPC?
What do you mean by tweak for media playback? What kind of tweaks should I do?
No remote, but that could be easily added to a...
So what does a HTPC do better than a normal quality computer? Plays video and audio? I think my video editing computer plays the videos and audio pretty well, I don't see where the extra quality would come from. I mean, all modern computers can play back video/audio well now, so why not allow...
Well...hmm...what exactly is a HTPC then? I asked above and the answers I seemed to get were it has special software and a tuner (capture) card.
What makes the HTPC different than a normal computer?
And to be clear, the video editing computer is a separate computer than the HTPC I'm trying to...
Thanks guys, lots of great info.
Let me try to answer the requisite questions so I can get better help.
Budget
As cheap as possible, hopefully $500-600 including everything except monitor, speakers, keyboard, and mouse.
Needs
Mostly just want to record TV shows at specified times, often when...
The soundcard on my motherboard won't work?
Well, my display will either be a normal computer monitor (VGA or DVI) or my HDTV (also VGA or DVI, no HDMI).
Can I use onboard video card?
Mostly, I would want my HTPC to be able to record TV shows to my hard drive that I can watch normally...
Hey guys, sorry for the newbie question. I've tried reading the sticky hear, but it's too much and most of the links don't work anymore.
My question is what do I need to set up my first HTPC?
I know it's basically a computer, but then, what makes it different than normal computers?
What...
Well, actually right now I have the E4300, but have the Q6600 on order which I'll switch in when I get it. The Q6600 has a multiplier of 9, not sure what the E4300 has.
My motherboard is a Gigabyte P35C-DS3R (P35 board that supports both DDR2 and DDR3).
I guess for now, I'd like to set...
Thanks for the fast response.
How do I "tune her up" and get it to 8500 though? I'm a beginner at BIOS changes and such.
Also, I've read that my CPU can't even use 8500, and in fact, not even 6400.
If I have a Q6600 with a CPU multiplier of 9, that means FSB is 266.67 right?
And then...
Whoa whoa whoa, back track. Roach now believes the Samsung TN panels are good?! I recall him complaining quite a bit about it...oh, the viewing angles, oh, the woes. Wow, what a hypocrite. And now he's buying the shitty Viewsonic 28" - any logical person should realize that at such a cheap price...
I recently bought these:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820148069
Supposedly PC2-8500. I got them at a really cheap price ($95 after rebate)
When I got my memory, the box was also labelled PC2-8500.
However, when I load CPU-Z Version 1.40 and check the SPD tab it...
All the HP W2207 I've seen have significant top and bottom light bleed, so I don't think exchanging it will help. You'll have to either live with it or get something else.
I agree with eu_phoria about Roach's problem. Don't take his words too seriously. You should read some of his other posts. He really loves to pick on other people and monitors. And a hypocrite.
And he is still wrong about the panels of the Samsung 226BW. There are 4 panels, not 3, not 2...
Nope, quite the useless guide.
I can hardly stop laughing at the fact that you would even link that POS 26" monitor to support your claims. Such a hypocrite. Especially coming from you, someone who is clearly overly critical of virtually all monitors. That 26" you linked will satisfy no one...
Useless guide, which doesn't even deserve to be called that.
Many people believe 26-27" are no good. 26-27" screens are arguably the worst buy you can make. For a few hundred more you can get 30" or for around half the price you can get a 24." Unless your eyes seriously cannot take 24" should...
The best coolers are, in this order:
1. Thermalright Ultra 120 Extreme (needs a fan)
2. Thermalright Ultra 120 (needs a fan)
3. Scythe Ninja Plus B (but I'd change the fan for optimal results)
4. Sunbeam Tuniq Tower
Of course choosing the right fan has a lot to do with how much cooling...
The blue light on the Samsung is completely your opinion. For me, it is nothing but cool. It doesn't shine in my eye, I don't even notice it almost, and when I do, it has a nice effect to it. I really like the blue light. The band of silver on the body adds elegance too. I agree the stand sucks...
I sit on these chairs all the time in class and in the library at my school. We have probably around 200 of these chairs. They are amazing, although not that amazing to be worth that much money. Still not comfortable enough to sleep on though.
It'll be fine, depending on your definition of fine. But my thinking is, why pay the same price and receive less? I mostly want it because it goes up 11 degrees C more, which is crucial for me. In the heat wave on the west coast recently, I had my CPU go up to 69C at 100% load, which is way over...