My 785G Based HTPC\DAW Build Log

[SpeedyVV]

Intro Post 1.

Come here if you are interested in my journey into building a HTPC combined with a DAW based on an AMD 785G mobo..

Planning of Windows 7 x86 from HTPC running Virtual XP mode for the DAW. Let's see if it works. If not then I will re-install Vista x86 (Pro Tools 8 requirement).

Here is the list of components:

MEM 1Gx2|WINTEC 3AMD2800-2G2K-R R - Retail C$23.99
MB GIGABYTE|GA-MA785GM-US2H RT - Retail C$94.99
CPU AMD|ATH II X2 245 AM3 2.9G RT - Retail C$74.99

Reusing old WD 250 HD and WD 500 firewire external HD

Monitor Westy 1080p 47" - VM-47F140S

Case Antec Black Micro Fusion 350.

Here is the thread that talked about the choice of components.

 

[SpeedyVV]

Boxes - Post 2

The HTPC Case:

The HTPC Insides:

 

[SpeedyVV]

On Hold - Post 3

Because of the 7.1 over HDMI issue of the 785G chipset, this build is on hold

 

[SpeedyVV]

Back On - Post 4

The build is back on because my 15 year old JVC RX-509V Digital Surround System Receiver won't do 7.1 over anything.

 

[SpeedyVV]

Components laid out - Post 5

Lenovo 20" "bench" monitor

Clements rear and centre speaker

Toshiba "bench" front speakers

JVC RX-509V receiver

Anter Black Micro Fusion 350 HTPC Case with 350W PSU

Philips DVD-ROM from old HP Media Center PC there in the background

WD WD2500KS HDD

Wintec 2Gig DDR2-800 memory

Gigabyte 875G mobo.

AMD Atlhon II X2 425 2.9GHz CPU and cooler.

I think I am ready.

 

[jhartono0002]

this should be a killer HTPC setup

 

[SpeedyVV]

Go - Post 6

CPU is home:

Cooler will keep her cool at night I hope:

Now she will be able remember things:

PS: that is the wife being not too impressed in the background.

 

[SpeedyVV]

The Case - Post 7

Looks like it will be a tight fit:

 

[malih]

for HTPC, an aftermarket HSF is essential, IMO, the stock is just so loud.

 

[SpeedyVV]

for HTPC, an aftermarket HSF is essential, IMO, the stock is just so loud.

100%! Yes Silence is one of the main reasons I am building a dedicated HTPC instead of using my game machine.

I will test it out. If I can hear it I will switch it out. But for now it will do because I promised the wife to spend as little as possible.

 

[lt_shiro]

Sometimes its better to ask forgiveness than to ask for permission.

 

[SpeedyVV]

Install in Case - Post 8

Look, I had forgotten, a nice little remote (+1):

Let's clear out some space for the mobo:

Let's see if the I\O shield fits:

Looks good:

Can someone tell me what I am supposed to do with these little flappy bits?

I have to remove the built in LCD to remove the HDD cage (-1):

Remove the HDD Cage:

Opticall drive cage comes out for easy installation (+1):

Nice little soft things for the HDD, reduces vibration noise (+1):

HDD cage back in, very nicely:

Mobo barely fits, but it fits:

I am confident, so I will screw in the mobo to the case:

Back looks good too. Look at all those connections (+1):

Dang, Windows 7 almost finished downloading. Better hurry:

 

[SpeedyVV]

Sometimes its better to ask forgiveness than to ask for permission.

Yes, that I know, but unfortunately I ran out of forgiveness tokens

BTW, It_shiro, I hope you are enjoying this build. After all, it has your name on it

 

[knothead34]

cool build. ill keep an eye on this one.

 

[SpeedyVV]

Power On Test - Post 9

Now come the part I like least. Figuring out where all the power cables go.

Let's get started:

Them little case guys are well labeled, which makes it easy:

Now comes my favourite moment. Let's see if she powers on?

AWSOME!!! Power button turns blue, and CPU fan comes on.

What about the little case LCD?

She is on too:

Next, let's hook up the "bench" Monitor and see if the BIOS\CPU comes alive.

But 1st I need a coffee.

 

[Vegas P11]

Nice job so far. I always loved these build posts.
/subscribed

 

[SpeedyVV]

Plug in monitor - Post 10

OMG she works!!!!

Now let's plug in the rest of the components and cables.

OMG!!!! What a mess:

Let's put back the case LCD:

DVD fits nicely in the 5.25 cage:

There is nothing more I hate in this universe than IDE Cables

Oh well, let's get the DVD cage in, and keep the wires in the HDD compartment:

Now that I know the system powers on, let's add in the second 1Gig memory stick:

Front panel HD Audio in.

Why is it there in the mobo. It should be closer to the front I think.

 

[Zachstar]

What a completely utterly useless mobo. I am sorry as you did make an investment afterall but many sales of that POS were based on a lie. Just had to rant about that.

Nice photos tho! Ought to build confidence in those wanting to trying building their own HTPC.

 

[SpeedyVV]

What a completely utterly useless mobo. I am sorry as you did make an investment afterall but many sales of that POS were based on a lie. Just had to rant about that.

Nice photos tho! Ought to build confidence in those wanting to trying building their own HTPC.

No apologies needed. Everyone is entitled to their opinion.

For me, if the onboard video does 1080p with good quality, and gives me 5.1 audio, and has enough processing power for my DAW, it will be usefull.

Also, the 2 eSATA connections, Firewire, and plenty USB makes this a very nice microATX case.

BTW, I feel asleep wainting for Windows 7 iso to be copied to my USB key. Will start again after coffee.

 

[SpeedyVV]

Closing the case - Post 11

Now it is time to close her up and see how it looks.

Let's add this air barrier that is supposed to improve cooling.

Looks like a gimmick, but I will give it a try and see if it makes a difference.

Add the centre brace. Reduces Case flex.

Close case. All that inner beauty is now hidden.

Maybe I could get a small see through thingy later.

Use the thumb screw to keep top in place.

Keyboard and Mouse to set up the system.

Paused startup screen. Both HDD and ODD show up. Nice.

Let's press <DEL> and check the BIOS settings.

Amazing settings for such an inexpensive mobo... later I will OC this thing to see how good is this AMD CPU. Must look for a AMD CPU OC Guide.

The temps look good too.

She is ready for Windows 7!!!!

 

[lt_shiro]

looking good...

 

[SpeedyVV]

lt_shiro, where are you from?

 

[lt_shiro]

Barbados

 

[SpeedyVV]

sweeeeet

 

[SpeedyVV]

Installing Win7 - Post 12

Copy win7 install iso on USB Key

Did not work Tried it on another machine and it worked. The mobo just did not recognize it or some setting is wrong.

Oh well, Plan B. Burn a DVD install disk on my game rig.

That worked. Booting from Win7 DVD.

Windows is starting and installing.

Might as well install front and centre speaker to try ou the sound.

Win7 install progressing well.

Uhmm found these old crappy cables. I wonder if it will give me 5.1 sound?

Plug into the green Line out. Uhmmm why am I getting the feeling that this receiver will not give me 5.1?

Plug into the receiver's Video in R and L.

 

[SpeedyVV]

Help, how does one connect 5.1 from HTPC to a receiver. It does not have an SPDIF connector.

 

[SC385]

Post pics of the back of the receiver so we can see all of the connections. Looking at the one pic of your receiver it looks like you will only be able to get left and right audio since you don't have 6 channel analog inputs or spdif. It looks like your next investment will have to be a new receiver for 5.1 or better.

 

[SpeedyVV]

Post pics of the back of the receiver so we can see all of the connections. Looking at the one pic of your receiver it looks like you will only be able to get left and right audio since you don't have 6 channel analog inputs or spdif. It looks like your next investment will have to be a new receiver for 5.1 or better.

Oh please tell me it is not so!!!! My wife will kill me!!!

But how come I used to get 5.1 from my old VCR?????


Here are some pics!

 

[SpeedyVV]

Ok, I am resigned to Stereo!!!

My 15 year old receiver will not give me 5.1.

The good news is that my stereo speakers sound awsome, and I dont have to worry about damn 7.1, or 5.1 over HDMI

This is not about receivers, but about HTPC. The sucker is progressing well.

Let's get the show back on the road. This is not about receivers. It

Still got to configure, the iMon and the DAW.

The DAW might make me have to go back to Vista x86 so I better hurry.

 

[SpeedyVV]

Configuring Windows - Post 13

After a little detour about my receive, we are back on the HTPC.

Little blue light for HDD activity, really nice (+1)

Windows 7. I hpe my DAW can work in W7. Going back to Vista would be nasty.

Gigabit Ethernet for HD over the network.

It can see my Windows Home Server. AWSOME.

Windows 7 just works.

Gigabyte mobo driver disk.

ATI Catalyst

Media Center, iMon, and remote all work!! (+10)

Now I can watch Dumb n Dummer

Now I can take a rest and then install my DAW stuff. Fingers crossed.

 

[SpeedyVV]

Guitar Interface - Post 14

Now that the HTPC components seems to be all setup, let's see if she will play guitar.

Let's start with a simple M-Audio Black Box USB Guitar Recording interface.

Install Vista-32 drivers. Initially said not for this OS. Then Windows 7 said "wanna try using vista compatibility mode?". Sure

I can believe it. It is installing and finding the M-Audio Black Box.

Man, to get to this point with Vista 32 it took 6 months! Windows 7? 1st day.

Let's plug in the guitar, and see if she weeps!

Man, the box has been christianed!!!! Neil Young, and me playing through the HTPC's speakers.

Which means recording will be possible.

Wierd, centre channels works with the Black Box !!!!!

Well, last things will be done tonight.

Installing the HTPC with the 1080p Westy and ProTools 8.

I hope you folks enjoyed the play by play of this build.

Cheers!!!

 

[lt_shiro]

I am happy your build turn out good.

 

[Zachstar]

Ok the reason you got 5.1 from the VCR is that Dolby Pro Logic is the way they have been making "Surround Sound" tapes for years.

Read this.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolby_Pro_Logic

Now here is how you can do things.

In the speaker settings in windows 7 you select the speakers or whatever the thing is plugged into and crank the format in "advanced" to the highest it will go my ATI card running basic Win 7 drivers (The catalyst ones sound much beter BTW) can go up to 16 bit at 48000 hz those are just safe settings and your realtek or whatever ought to be about to go to atleast 24 at 90 something thousand.

Set the receiver to everyday pro logic. No special stuff just good ole pro logic. And play a modern music file.

At once you ought to notice vocals coming out of the center speaker. DVDs will sound like your VCR as far as surround.

All and all it WILL work. Not as good as a normal setup but PL is POWERFUL stuff that people rarely seem to realize now days.

 

[SpeedyVV]

Zachstar, thank you very much for your post.

Very informative. I guess that is why when I did my black box at high quality the centre speaker came on and sounded much better.

 

[Zachstar]

Please let us know how your TV programs and DVDs sound now. You ought to be able to clearly hear center and surround.

 

[SpeedyVV]

I will do that on the weekend.... traveling for work.

 

[SpeedyVV]

Please let us know how your TV programs and DVDs sound now. You ought to be able to clearly hear center and surround.

Zachstar, I did a bit of reading on the Dolby site, and I think what you said was right on:

"With the introduction of the Dolby Digital multichannel film sound format, Dolby Digital has replaced Dolby Surround as the preferred technology to deliver multichannel audio to consumers via DVD-Video, digital television, and games. However, every Dolby Digital decoder also provides a Dolby Pro Logic-compatible stereo signal on its analog outputs. See Dolby Digital for additional details."

And this research paper takes it a step further.

This has been a very interesting journey. I am so glad I did not junk this receiver.

 

[Zachstar]

Yes the receiver is going to work great for atleast another few years. Now it can only go so far and you wont get true separation like with dolby digital. Yet what you have is plenty until the day you are ready to go with a complete new HT system.

But be sure to crank that rate up in windows to get the clearest sound you can.

 

[SpeedyVV]

Zachstar, unbelievable, but this 15 year amp actually is putting out 1 Center, 2 Fronts and 2 Rear (mono) signals!!!!!

I just did a quick setup with some old wirering and I just could not believe my ears. This sucker sounds great out of the line out stereo output of the 785G mobo. Not so worthless after all ;-)

Once I finish the setup I will post a couple of picks on the finished product.

Thanks again for your help.

 

[Zachstar]

In my opinion you ought to replace that old thin cord with something more modern.

Go with gold plated. With digital its a gimmick but with analog any interference causes loss. Some ideas.

http://www.amazon.com/Pro-Techgroup...6?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1250296962&sr=8-6

http://www.amazon.com/Cables-Unlimi...2?ie=UTF8&s=electronics&qid=1250296944&sr=8-2