![[H]ard|Forum](/styles/hardforum/xenforo/logo_dark.png){kind=logo}
First HTPC Buy, Quick Checkoff?
- Thread starter FrostBite
- Start date
Thanks again ya'll for your help. All the parts came yesterday, setup wasn't painful except for the Scythe Ninja Mini HSF which was absolutely terrible, and everything is set and running. One note for anyone going with this motherboard and connecting it to a TV via HDMI - do not install the VIA audio drivers, only install the NVidia HDMI drivers. If both drivers are installed, HDMI sound will not work. Beyond that, it is recording OTA perfectly, and is super quiet. Thanks for persuading me for the 4840e over the 7750 Kuma. 
EndersShadow
[H]ard|Gawd
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2008
- Messages
- 1,228
Thanks again ya'll for your help. All the parts came yesterday, setup wasn't painful except for the Scythe Ninja Mini HSF which was absolutely terrible, and everything is set and running. One note for anyone going with this motherboard and connecting it to a TV via HDMI - do not install the VIA audio drivers, only install the NVidia HDMI drivers. If both drivers are installed, HDMI sound will not work. Beyond that, it is recording OTA perfectly, and is super quiet. Thanks for persuading me for the 4840e over the 7750 Kuma.
What was so bad about the Ninja Mini install? I am going with that in my case as well. Did you go full passive or use the fan that came with it?
I had a lot of trouble clipping the HSF onto the retention brackets. They just would not go down, and the angle of the clips looked "bent" compared to the instructions. Like seriously, it almost took me as long to put on the HSF than put the damn thing together and do the wire management!
Full passive, definately the way to go, and with both side fans running at low. With the quiet PSU, the thing is silent when sitting on the couch. Hottest it got was mid 30's C when installing all the drivers and programs at once; not even hot to the touch. Runs in the mid to high 20's C when watching TV.
Full passive, definately the way to go, and with both side fans running at low. With the quiet PSU, the thing is silent when sitting on the couch. Hottest it got was mid 30's C when installing all the drivers and programs at once; not even hot to the touch. Runs in the mid to high 20's C when watching TV.
I like this build, but I was wondering about adding wifi to the setup. What needs to be changed or added?
-obviously edit for http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103255
PS: is there a way to get a time display on the front panel.
PPS: how's the bundled remote for the hvr-2250? Would it be better going with something else.
PPPS: I own a ps3, would it be smarter to just wait for playtv to come out for ps3 in USA?
-obviously edit for http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16819103255
PS: is there a way to get a time display on the front panel.
PPS: how's the bundled remote for the hvr-2250? Would it be better going with something else.
PPPS: I own a ps3, would it be smarter to just wait for playtv to come out for ps3 in USA?
seamorgh,
My wife and I love it. It's a great budget HTPC and looks fantastic on our 46 inch Panny Plasma. The 4850e is so quiet with the fanless Scythe Mini too.
- There's nothing that displays the time in the front panel. That's something you'll have to buy and put on one of the two 5.25 bays.
- The remote is good and we both like it. Design is easy and it doesn't feel cheap when holding.
- I don't own a PS3 but I personally like the look of Vista Media Center. The icons are nice and big (we sit 10 feet away), picture and icons are clear, and ease of use it top notch. I've looked at BTV and SageTV first, and I definately like VMC over them (and comes with the OS too!). Recording is also very easy.
Hope this helps.
My wife and I love it. It's a great budget HTPC and looks fantastic on our 46 inch Panny Plasma. The 4850e is so quiet with the fanless Scythe Mini too.
- There's nothing that displays the time in the front panel. That's something you'll have to buy and put on one of the two 5.25 bays.
- The remote is good and we both like it. Design is easy and it doesn't feel cheap when holding.
- I don't own a PS3 but I personally like the look of Vista Media Center. The icons are nice and big (we sit 10 feet away), picture and icons are clear, and ease of use it top notch. I've looked at BTV and SageTV first, and I definately like VMC over them (and comes with the OS too!). Recording is also very easy.
Hope this helps.
Dangman
Ninja Editor SuperMod
- Joined
- Dec 15, 2005
- Messages
- 46,056
Sounds great.
I am still wondering about a good way to add in wireless connectivity?
It's pretty obvious: Just add a wifi card. USB, PCI-E, or PCI, take your pick, No need to change the above setup besides adding a wifi card.
I prefer USB since I don't want to add more stuff inside. Definately not a PCI-E slot as there is only one and the 2250 took that. I wouldn't even bother with a video card either because BluRay and 1080p movies run smooth on it. I know people were commenting about the 1080i problems, but everything is perfectly clear on mine.
EndersShadow
[H]ard|Gawd
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2008
- Messages
- 1,228
That my freind is damn nice to know. I have been reading tons on this and since my build is mostly for OTA DTV any issues would be noticed. Good to know you have none since your build and mine are quite similar.
EndersShadow
[H]ard|Gawd
- Joined
- Dec 27, 2008
- Messages
- 1,228
I dont know but I can say you probably want to make sure all your equipment is setup to accept 802.11n wireless signals. Also as I am going to assume your looking for wifi due to the length of ethernet cable you would need I have seen references to the Powerline products on other threads here. They allow you to run the network connection through your already established wiring to your plug outlets. I am going to assume you would have a plug near your computer
. As stated I do not use the product and dont know of anyone personally that does, but it might warrant some further google searches.