HTPC with Component Video

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scott_b

n00b
Joined
Mar 14, 2009
Messages
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I am looking to get a HTPC system, but for reasons that would take a while to explain, I'm looking for something kind of particular.

Things I want:

* Component video output
* 1080p support
* Video card/chipset with OpenGL 2.0 support (to run XBMC for Windows/Mac/Linux)
* SPDIF audio (optical or digital coax)
* Low power
* Fast booting
* Ir remote sensor
* Small form factor

Things I'm not interested in right now:

* HDMI (no HDMI passthrough on my receiver, and I hate switching inputs with 3 game consoles on component)
* Bluray
* Specialty devices that run their own software

Basically I want something like the AppleTV, only with better hardware specs, or a Mac Mini that can do component video. I know HP had something like this, but it was listed as only being able to output 1080i. Dell's Studio line of systems is also very close to what I want, just no component video or obvious signs of an integrated Ir sensor.

I am open to the possibility of HDMI/DVI/VGA to component adapters so long as they don't degrade the image quality to any noticeable degree. I know that long term, getting a new receiver is my best option, but I need a new car, so that's going to suck up most of my money for a good while.

It would be a nice bonus if this system could double as a backup computer if something happened to my main one, but it's primary function is as a media hub. Wireless support would also nice, but not necessary. Being easily upgradeable (at least the HDD) would also be very nice, but I typically just stream stuff over my LAN from my desktop, so not a deal breaker. I'd like to keep the whole thing to under $500 if possible, but if a compelling argument can be made for something a little more being significantly better, I'm open to that possibility.

What options are there?
 
WD Media Player - You can hook up an external hard drive to it, and it plays 1080p movies. The only problem is there's no LAN. Great interface and browsing menu.

Xbox360, and PS3, I don't think you can watch 1080p on it. But network, HDD, and stream online videos.

Popcorn Hour - Can do what the WD Media Player can, and network, but I heard interface isn't great, and waiting for shipping on it sucks.

You want to build a computer ? Most motherboards support 6 channel to 8 channels. So buy a 3mm to component audio cable, and hook it up to your system. You can connect DVI-to-HDMI for video only. Or you can get an HDMI to your HDMI TV, and just change the sound setting to the component.
 
Okay, just to be a little more clear... Whatever I build/buy, it will be running XBMC (http://www.xbmc.org). So it can be running Windows, Linux, or Mac OS X, but specialty devices are out. And I want to standardize everything on component video, since my PS2 and Xbox can't do HDMI. And the 360 would work... If someone ever cracks it so XBMC can be ported and run on it. The "native" functions are next to worthless when stacked up against XBMC.
 
Yeah, I get the want to have everything run on the same signal, but... There's no such thing as true 1080p over component. At least, once you use cables longer than 1m it starts to degrade the 1080p signal, and given you are putting a receiver in the middle... It might be good enough still, but why is it worth the extra hassle?

I'm in the same boat as you, I have a receiver that doesn't process hdmi audio, and doesn't upscale component video to hdmi, so I connect my xbox 360 and HTPC video direct to the TV and just use input switching, and connect optical audio to the receiver. Everything else is switched through component on the receiver.

I recommend you run either VGA or HDMI direct to the TV and run optical/spdif to your receiver. Most htpcs are being built without discrete video for reduced power.
 
I'm not THAT picky about things... It's just if you've ever used a Dell UltraSharp 2709W you understand that changing inputs can be a pain in the arse. But if someone can tell me how to get it to auto-sense for an input automatically, I'd very much like to hear. That's the main area where I'm just a lazy bastard. I'll do it if there's absolutely nothing better, but surely there's got to be a way to have something like the AppleTV, only with better hardware.

Right now I'm using a chipped Xbox running XBMC which is scaling everything to 1080i, but I'm pretty much at the limits of what the hardware in this thing can handle, hence the desire for something new.
 
I got what you're saying. What you need is a really long stick, or a remote control. Would seem like PS3 is perfect for you, otherwise having component cable on PC would lose its quality. The WD player also have component out too..
 
yetimandaddy said:
The WD player also have component out too..
Click to expand...
Dude. It could come with a glory hole and this guy still wouldn't be interested. Just drop it. :rolleyes:

Anyways:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FA711LL/A?mco=MjE0ODY0OQ

Upgrade the HDD and, IIRC, it's possible to run XBMC on it (which I have no idea why you'd want too since it's not all that great outside of the Xbox but whatever floats your boat....). Take the rest of the money you've "saved" and get a Harmon/Kardon receiver; I got my AVR247 for $180 plus shipping:
http://stores.ebay.com/Harman-Audio_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ0QQftidZ2QQtZkm

For what you're asking for the Apple TV should be just fine; when you have enough money and some decent hardware (receiver) then build an HTPC (and get away from XBMC).
 
CrimandEvil said:
Dude. It could come with a glory hole and this guy still wouldn't be interested. Just drop it. :rolleyes:

Anyways:

http://store.apple.com/us/product/FA711LL/A?mco=MjE0ODY0OQ

Upgrade the HDD and, IIRC, it's possible to run XBMC on it (which I have no idea why you'd want too since it's not all that great outside of the Xbox but whatever floats your boat....). Take the rest of the money you've "saved" and get a Harmon/Kardon receiver; I got my AVR247 for $180 plus shipping:
http://stores.ebay.com/Harman-Audio_W0QQcolZ4QQdirZ1QQfsubZ0QQftidZ2QQtZkm

For what you're asking for the Apple TV should be just fine; when you have enough money and some decent hardware (receiver) then build an HTPC (and get away from XBMC).
Click to expand...

If the decoder is based on FFmpeg or libavcodec, I'll consider it. But I like having something that can decode pretty much anything I throw at it.

And no offense, but that receiver (well, a AK AVR340 which is all they have right now) looks worse than what I already have: Onkyo HT-R340. Great system, just needs HDMI support now. Even better would be a system that can take a component video stream and switch it over to HDMI, and not cost $2K-$3K.
 
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